Bug 396155 - Reference images tool lacks features
Summary: Reference images tool lacks features
Status: REPORTED
Alias: None
Product: krita
Classification: Applications
Component: Tools/Reference Images (show other bugs)
Version: git master (please specify the git hash!)
Platform: Other Linux
: NOR wishlist
Target Milestone: ---
Assignee: Krita Bugs
URL:
Keywords:
: 399059 (view as bug list)
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2018-07-04 09:32 UTC by Storm Engineer
Modified: 2019-08-10 16:12 UTC (History)
5 users (show)

See Also:
Latest Commit:
Version Fixed In:


Attachments
Demonstration of problem 1 (84.91 KB, image/jpeg)
2018-07-04 09:32 UTC, Storm Engineer
Details
Demonstration of problem 2 (141.50 KB, image/jpeg)
2018-07-04 09:32 UTC, Storm Engineer
Details

Note You need to log in before you can comment on or make changes to this bug.
Description Storm Engineer 2018-07-04 09:32:02 UTC
Created attachment 113750 [details]
Demonstration of problem 1

Right now the new Reference images tool doesn't have much to offer over simply using a layer.

The two huge advantages of the old references docker were that
1; It could be docked into, or floated over the GUI, saving precious canvas area real estate
2; Was fixed to the GUI and immune to panning and zooming of canvas, staying usable at all times

Even if you have two or more huge screens and can afford to never zoom in and always keep the reference images pinned around the canvas in view, doing this can be very inconvenient, especially if you rotate the canvas. But if you have smaller screen space, then actually using a layer is better because you can erase irrelevant parts of the ref image to save space.

The old docker offered the perfect solution to this, which is why I relied heavily on it and I also believe that's why many others loved it.

Attached mockups to demonstrate the problem.


This tool is right now in no way a replacement for the old ref images docker as it lacks the abilities that made said docker so useful.

Please add the following abilities to make it useful:
 - Pin ref = Ref image ignores canvas zoom/pan/rotation and stays absolutely positioned relative to the screen (or of that's not possible, relative to the Krita window)
( - Optionally, separate pin for scale, rotation and position.)
 - Ref on top = Ref image can display over the GUI

This way the new tool would be a proper replacement for the old docker, with an overall better functionality than the old one.
Comment 1 Storm Engineer 2018-07-04 09:32:32 UTC
Created attachment 113751 [details]
Demonstration of problem 2
Comment 2 Quiralta 2018-07-04 15:21:20 UTC
Just want to make a "cross reference" with the dialog in the phabricator and google+ as it was about the same requests. Like this we can keep the comments together and easier for the devs to check out. :)

https://i.imgur.com/BgBQPC4.png
https://plus.google.com/+DigiDirt/posts/WRmosFxeMxx
Comment 3 Storm Engineer 2018-07-05 11:31:05 UTC
(In reply to Quiralta from comment #2)
> Just want to make a "cross reference" with the dialog in the phabricator and
> google+
Thank you! :) I would appreciate if you also add any points I'm having here that may not be in those discussions yet - since you are already familiar with those, and I have very little time right now.

I see great potential in the new tool, if these points are addressed and maybe even more functionality is added it could be a really amazing tool.

I recommend to look at PureRef, by far the most popular app in the World that adds similar functionality. Lots of people use it and everyone who does loves it, so probably a good place to look for a good example.

https://www.pureref.com/
Comment 4 Quiralta 2018-07-05 18:46:48 UTC
Hm, just realized I pasted the wrong link above (responding to someone in the forum)

This is the phabricator link:
https://phabricator.kde.org/T5805

(In reply to Storm Engineer from comment #3)
> (In reply to Quiralta from comment #2)
> > Just want to make a "cross reference" with the dialog in the phabricator and
> > google+
> Thank you! :) I would appreciate if you also add any points I'm having here
> that may not be in those discussions yet - since you are already familiar
> with those, and I have very little time right now.


I think the tool just needs some settling, so far is working ok and since is a svg tool variation, it looks like reuses code that is already on Krita making it easy to maintain. (I think)

Aside from the pan/zoom/rotation, I would like to see a hide/unhide feature to it maybe with a button on the tools options. My usage for it is very basic thus can't think what else could be missing that is crucial.

Now, I circumvent the lack of "been on top" by using a sub-window and then use the images there, would be interesting if someone can step in with a python docker that can do this, but that must come from outside (and I have no programming knowledge) we also have now the window layouts that can complement this tool, with views of windows (instead of docker) with ref images. Anyway, I guess we need first to see what the devs think is doable and possible within the tool in its current form.
Comment 5 kaz.foxsen 2018-07-23 17:27:30 UTC
I'd like to be able to draw on top of the reference (like to brush a color I selected over a reference area to make sure I matched it well.)
Comment 6 Bollebib 2018-09-25 15:30:11 UTC
*** Bug 399059 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
Comment 7 Bollebib 2018-09-25 15:31:37 UTC
yes i need this as well,it would be a huge workflow increase to have
Comment 8 Rebecca Breu 2019-08-10 16:12:08 UTC
The hide/unhide option mentioned above can be achieved by setting the opacity to 0 in the current version. Which works well enough for me. Huge disadvantage: You have to remember where your hidden reference images are since there's no way to see a list of reference images.