Why do multiparms waste so much screen space? Why so wide?

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What's this space for? It seems really unnecessary for multiparms to take so much space. Is there a more "compact" UI?
Edited by kodra - Dec. 17, 2023 00:35:13

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Does this only apply to multiline?
This is the Great Houdini Interface Mystery that future archaeologists will be puzzling over.

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It's a form of indentation to avoid visual clutter. Similar to how it's used to make code more readable.
But clearly it can be done better; some param windows have way too much empty space.
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Sidefx really need to employ - and empower - some dedicated, knowledgeable and experienced interface (UI / UX) designer(s).
Edited by Mike_A - Dec. 18, 2023 15:54:52
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It's probably the second worse part of Houdini's UI.

The worse part is, of course, this tiny field:



SideFX UI logic: this is the field that takes the longest value (multiple lines of Python) in the whole Operator Type Properties window, so we give it the least room. It's almost like they were trying to be an anti-example in UI design textbooks...
Edited by kodra - Dec. 18, 2023 20:08:57

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Agreed,SideFX needs some good UI/UX designers.It has been an obstacle to attract new users.
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A couple of tricks to reclaim some precious space in the parameter panel:
1) Nest the multiparm folder inside another folder. Set the multiparm folder to hidden. This way you get rid of the buttons for adding and clearing each instance.
2) If you need to force all way to the left any parameter, just insert a dummy parameter before (I usually use a label parm), set it to invisible and join it horizontally to the next parameter you want to move to the left.
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Another ugly UI:



While Houdini likes abusing spacing so much, when there are two elements without label next to each other, it puts them so close...

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i think it is the right time for a UI RFE!

the vfxplatform it notes for this year a big QT upgrade.
https://vfxplatform.com/ [vfxplatform.com]

How to RFE:
https://www.sidefx.com/forum/topic/25347/ [www.sidefx.com]
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mandrake0
i think it is the right time for a UI RFE!

the vfxplatform it notes for this year a big QT upgrade.
https://vfxplatform.com/ [vfxplatform.com]

How to RFE:
https://www.sidefx.com/forum/topic/25347/ [www.sidefx.com]

The amount of RFEs and bug reports I sent to SideFX could qualify me as a full-time QA working for them.

Or put me on a spammer list.
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