If it is a tool to build Visual 3D interfaces, then the editor needs to be able to graphically represent and define these 3D Visual spaces in order to be truly useful.
You could create the Shrek character model using mathematical formulae in code, but is that really a useful editor for the 3D Model? No it isn't. One which allows you to draw objects, click and rotate in 3D Space etc. is useful. Until we get that for Avalon this is really just a sneak peek at what could be done and could be commonplace in several years after Longhorn is released. If the proper development IDE are released, then Avalon can take off, and as was originally promised, could replace the 'web browser' as the ubiquitous style of interface for applications, online or off (at least for Windows applications). Otherwise, you're going to have to use C++ to describe 3D spaces,objects, cameras, viewports etc. Which would be a mess ^_^ Actually, seeing the way this guy build that interface, it *IS* a mess. The cool 3D stuff will be nice at first, but definitely most will opt for a 2D enhanced interface, or even a 3D interface that gives you a view of data simialr to 2D for stuff like reading email. Even in games, turn based strategy for example, after playing for a while when I want to perform an action, sometimes I wish I could bypass all the animations and just get to the outcome. It's going to be the same thing times ten for everyday tasks after the initial novelty of cool animations etc. has worn out. That's not to say that having 3D in the UI can't make things a lot more usable and attractive! I think that it definitely can, but that hopefuly designers won't go overboard and will remember usability.Describing data visually can certainly be quite useful. Which brings us to another factor. Does anyone know case studies and tips and guidelines for presenting an interface to the user in 3D? Certainly this is going to be brand new frontiers for designers,developers and users alike. -Gel -----Original Message----- From: Nick McClure [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] I guess it all depends on how the individual prefers to think. I like seeing a list of numbers, it means more to me that way than different sized boxes. Boxes are relative, and sometimes it can be hard to determine what they are relative to. But again, just me, maybe I'm just to old to accept change in this, maybe it will be better, but I don't want to be forced, and I also don't want to forfeit something else that is cool because I'm not into 3d navigation. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Find out how CFTicket can increase your company's customer support efficiency by 100% http://www.houseoffusion.com/banners/view.cfm?bannerid=49 Message: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=i:5:141607 Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/threads.cfm/5 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=s:5 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.5 Donations & Support: http://www.houseoffusion.com/tiny.cfm/54
