Dev:Ref/Proposals/UI/First time user splash
目次
Problem
Some aspects of blender's interface are so different from other 3d software that the usual reaction of the first time user with 3d background is confusion and feeling of helplessness. They feel helpless in doing the most basic things, since those things are done with strange mouse button configurations compared to other software.
This is a common complain on blender in 3d forums that has been causing heated debates on whether we should try to be more like the others by default or not.
The seasoned blender users like those defaults though and insist on keeping them the default. Having come from maya myself, I must say that I their design makes sense and it's worth keeping - it's in some ways better in the long term.
Solution in other software
Other 3d software has been doing a very simple thing. A splash screen specifically designed for the first time users that can be switched off once that user feels familiar enough with the software.
The splash screen offers a number of big thumbnail buttons that lead to SHORT videos that explain (without sound) basic navigation, controls and Layout in blender.
I know that there is a link to the manual in Blender's splash screen, but a complete manual is not as welcoming as a few quick getting started videos that are within the reach of a click away.
Technical issues with video tutorials
Getting this into blender - to explain basic navigation, selecting and operations would be a pain- since blender is changing it's interface. It will be another thing to have to update and change. The tutorials will need to be encoded in something that any operating system can play out of the box.
Also don't forget bigger installer file size, if the videos are offline. Bigger bandwidth bill for BF.
Using recorded tutorial Macros instead
Using prerecorded, subtitled macros scripts instead would solve a lot of the issues of video files and also have a number of advantages to the power users.
For tutorials:
- smaller file size
- easy to translate to other languages
- no need to rerecord again when the interface has changed
- subtitle text can be aware of your current blender settings (dynamic variables such as keyboard shortcuts)
- no need for headphones/sound - useful for classrooms.
- You work on your own pace
For the power users:
- Makes command automation much more accessible to people with no scripting experience. It's easier to set up a pipeline of commands - to reuse and share.
References
Krita has the ability to record and replay macros.
(references removed to commercial software, please do not link or upload such content)
Challenges
To do this Blender needs a Macro specification, tools for recording and loading macros. This is I believe no small task, but perhaps worth the effort considering all the advantages.
Until those tools are available in blender, perhaps we can still use the first time user splash screen idea, but have the dedicated splash screen link to online videos rather than bundled ones with the software.
The less effort we ask of the first time user to get started learning the software, the better our chance is in keeping their interest long enough for them to start feeling invested in the software..
Suggested by Blurymind/ Todor Imreorov
