Print composers: should locked elements be selectable?

[Andreas Neumann]

Hi, Hi Nyall,

This concerns a change in the print composer. There seems to be a change
in behaviour between QGIS 2.4 and 2.6 regarding selectability of locked
elements.

In QGIS 2.4 locked elements where still selectable in the canvas, in 2.6
they are not, but one can still select them in the element list.

To me, the locking mechanism mainly prevents unwanted movement of
elements and I personally would prefer that locked elements are still
selectable in the canvas. It would be different if we had the concept of
layers. Elements in locked layers should not be selectable, I think -
but since we do not have layers yet, I am not sure ...

What are the opinions?

Andreas

[Nyall Dawson]

Hi Andreas,

Post by Andreas Neumann
In QGIS 2.4 locked elements where still selectable in the canvas, in 2.6

they are not, but one can still select them in the element list.

This is intentional and something I've been coding towards for a long time
(it was actually my first ever frustrating behavior i ran into with QGIS'
composer back when I started using QGIS!).

Here's the rationale:
- it brings QGIS into line with the standard behavior of illustrating/DTP
software. This is a big plus in itself...

- it makes it possible to interact with items which are stacked below other
items. Otherwise, its impossible to click and drag an item which has
something above it. Making locked items non-interactive in the canvas means
that you can lock the upper item, freely move/resize the lower, and then
unlock the upper item again.
- the items panel makes it easy to select locked items and also quickly
unlock them.

Unless a bunch of angry users turn up at my house with pitchforks and
flaming torches this change is here to stay! ;)

Nyall

Post by Andreas Neumann
To me, the locking mechanism mainly prevents unwanted movement of

elements and I personally would prefer that locked elements are still
selectable in the canvas. It would be different if we had the concept of
layers. Elements in locked layers should not be selectable, I think - but
since we do not have layers yet, I am not sure ...

Post by Andreas Neumann
What are the opinions?
Andreas
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[Andreas Neumann]

Hi Nyall,

I guess I was just used to the old behavior.

I have a lot of print composers with locked items (to avoid accidental
movements) and was used to the fact that I could still select the locked
items ...

I guess I will get used to the new behavior. Please leave it as it is.

Andreas

Post by Nyall Dawson
Hi Andreas,

Post by Andreas Neumann
In QGIS 2.4 locked elements where still selectable in the canvas, in

2.6 they are not, but one can still select them in the element list.
This is intentional and something I've been coding towards for a long
time (it was actually my first ever frustrating behavior i ran into
with QGIS' composer back when I started using QGIS!).
- it brings QGIS into line with the standard behavior of
illustrating/DTP software. This is a big plus in itself...
- it makes it possible to interact with items which are stacked below
other items. Otherwise, its impossible to click and drag an item which
has something above it. Making locked items non-interactive in the
canvas means that you can lock the upper item, freely move/resize the
lower, and then unlock the upper item again.
- the items panel makes it easy to select locked items and also
quickly unlock them.
Unless a bunch of angry users turn up at my house with pitchforks and
flaming torches this change is here to stay! ;)
Nyall

Post by Andreas Neumann
To me, the locking mechanism mainly prevents unwanted movement of

elements and I personally would prefer that locked elements are still
selectable in the canvas. It would be different if we had the concept
of layers. Elements in locked layers should not be selectable, I think
- but since we do not have layers yet, I am not sure ...

Post by Andreas Neumann
What are the opinions?
Andreas
_______________________________________________
Qgis-developer mailing list
http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/qgis-developer

[Pedro Venâncio]

Post by Andreas Neumann
I guess I was just used to the old behavior.
I have a lot of print composers with locked items (to avoid accidental
movements) and was used to the fact that I could still select the locked
items ...

I felt the same Andreas, but after some weeks using version 2.5, I think
I'm getting used to this behavior and makes more sense, as the Nyall says.

Thanks for the improvements in Composer Nyall!

Best regards!

Pedro

[Nyall Dawson]

Post by Andreas Neumann
Hi Nyall,
I guess I was just used to the old behavior.
I have a lot of print composers with locked items (to avoid accidental
movements) and was used to the fact that I could still select the locked
items ...
I guess I will get used to the new behavior. Please leave it as it is.

Sorry - forgot to reply to this. I was going to suggest that if you
make sure all your items have meaningful ids set then it's even easier
to lock/unlock them from the items panel. You can either set the id
through the item properties panel, or by quickly double clicking the
name in the items list panel.

You'll also observe that selecting a locked item in the items panel
will still draw a dotted highlight around the item on the canvas (and
allow you to edit the item properties via the panel). So it's quite
easy to identify items by clicking them in the list and seeing which
item is highlighted.

Hope that helps!
Nyall

[Alexandre Neto]

I was already on my way to pickup a pitchfork in the barn when I remembered

Post by Nyall Dawson
- it brings QGIS into line with the standard behavior of illustrating/DTP
software. This is a big plus in itself...
And you are right. Both inkscape and adobe illustrator works like that,

and now I understand what you were thinking. I guess we were not used to
have the items tab available as we have the "layers" tab in other software.
Let's how the angry mobs react to this behavior change.

As always, great work!!

Alexandre Neto