Andy Ross wrote:

If you guys are thinking of changing the way we do "linear function of
a property value" definitions in configurations, let me argue for a
slightly different way to do it:

The problem with specifying a multiplier (e.g. "scaling" or
"rotation") and an offset is that these two opperations don't commute.
Especially when coupled with a syntax that is order-independant (you
can *specify* the scaling last, but it still happens first, or vice
versa) it's a constant confusion for the user as to what the final
result will be, with the end result that the generated configurations
are hacked up balls of goo.  Be honest everyone: how many people have
ended up typing random values into things like this trying to get the
results they expect?  I know I have.

Instead, why not specify a range mapping.  That is, input values in
the range [a,b] get mapped linearly to output values in the range
[c,d].  Input values outside of [a,b] can be clamped to that range
before computation.  This has a few advantages:
This doesn't sound like a bad idea at all. It is something which isn't used very common (at least not that I am aware of) but there are several situations where common behaviour doesn't make sence :-)

Erik



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