What’s you’re preferred method of attack on “variable length” but relatively low number options, say for arguments sake you need to implement a copy map channels tools where the it could be from channels 1-5 and the user gets to choose the number of channels.
[ol]
[li]“Hard Code” it with on/off check box for each channel.[/li][li]List Box with an “Edit” for each channel and the additional Add/Remove/Shift paraphernalia.[/li][li]similar to 2 but using dynamic UI[/li][li]similar to 3 but using dynamic tabs.[/li][li]fancy dotnet data list with embedded controls[/li][li]Other[/li][/ol]1. is obviously the quickest to implement but least slick.
if only 5(up to 8) specified channels available i would use #1 solution.
the reasons:
#1 simple and compact enough
#2 max native look and functionality
#3 user can see all available options
#4 all UI elements can be easily extended:
– Graying out (Enable/Disable)
– Adding RC menu
– Using a Button (CheckButton) instead of a Label
– Using a EditTex if you want to name channels
– Using extra RadioButtons if you have a primary channel
– Using individual ToolTips
i think the biggest issue with #1 is when the lead artist asks could it work for channels 6-10 then 2 weeks later “what about 11-15”
that’s why i’ve started the post with “if…”
10 is still OK. 15 becomes a problem, but only if you limited by UI size.
the same problem will be with any ui control. for example 15-lines listbox is not much smaller than 15 checkboxes.
if you have to support many channels it might be a spinner where label tells the available diapason (“Channel (1-15):”) and range limits an input. if you need a From/To (Copy/Paste) functionality you can use two spinners
listbox is a solution #2. the benefit of its using is a simple ‘dynamic’ modification.
i use it in my tools with similar scenario. usually i add a specific symbol(s) like cross, big dot, etc. in front of every line that shows a state. the size of symbol is 1, 2 or 3 ‘whitespaces’
I’d not hold it as a supreme example of UI design, but I did this by having a radio button option of range or a hardcoded, specific list (up to 12)
It seems to be working well for us.