Directory Assistant Tool

Coding
1

So like the title says I created a directory assistant tool. I’ve been learning python for about 3-4 months over at the dojo and figured it was time to get some feed back on a tool i’ve created from the community. Any thoughts on it would be greatly appreciated. Cheers!!!

2


Unfortunately, this looks more like an academic exercise than a tool I would use. I use a script called Multi-Obj Tool to bring in/save objs to/from a directory. Referencing is so easy to do with the built in maya popup that I dont see a need to use and learn a new way.

Having a huge ‘directory assist’ label when you already set the windowTitle is another huge strike. It takes up my very valuable screen space.

3

If you’ve only been learning python for 3-4 four months, then good for you. While this might not be something general artists will use, it does show that you can take an idea and make it. I could see a more developed version of this on a per-company basis.

One thing I might add is a distinction between load and import, for instance, characters load while props import. what if I want 2 characters in my scene.

Keep it up man. what’s that they say, you have to make 1000 bad scripts before you get a good one?

4

My first read was that I felt a bit lost watching the video: context information came and went as the UI updated. it’s fine if you’re drilling down repeatedly on a set of things, but might not work so well for (a) new users or (b) people who have other things on their mind – like stopping to check a note pad in the middle of the operation.

You might want to take the opportunity to look at a few modern UI design websites and books:

http://www.amazon.com/About-Face-Essentials-Interaction-Design/dp/0470084111/ref=cm_lmf_tit_5

http://www.gui-bloopers.com/

You’ll find that the trend of the recommendations is towards keeping users ‘located’ in their task, rather than showing/hiding infromation quickly.

OTOH don’t get discouraged – on the execution side it’s a lot slicker than many of the clunky maya UI things floating around on the web. Good start, keep at it.

5

Thanks for the great feedback for him Berj, Shawn and Steve:)

Jason has been working hard at improving quickly and getting himself ready to be a hire-able TD and I know he appreciates the feedback.

Brad

6

Wow thanks for all the great responses. I have a lot of reading ahead of me. Like brad said I very much appreciate the feed back!