[1.09n] PLEASE: Spellbook interface needs less clicks, more modern UI

from Elemental Forums

PLEASE make the UI of the Spellbook less clicky. OnMouseOver of a spell could show the spell details, and right left click could cast/learn, instead of the extra clicks.

Or if you really feel a need to use left click to select, at least let us use Right click to cast/learn. 

 

Thanks for considering.

elemental
45,271 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

Yes. And it does not have to look like a book just because it is called a book... The pages are driving me nuts. I want to see all available spells on one page.

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

 

Yes. And it does not have to look like a book just because it is called a book... The pages are driving me nuts. I want to see all available spells on one page.

 

A nice workaround would be to show a long scroll with details of all the spells. Then you can scroll up and down to read more, rather than turn pages.

 

Something like this (if the link works)

http://preview.tinyurl.com/38mn335

 

Then you would still have a nice graphical display that fits with the feel of the game, while also supporting a much better UI. As most users are going to have a scroll

whell/multi-touch, or at the very least a page up/down button

 

Thoughts?

 

 

Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting riadsala, reply 2
 


Yes. And it does not have to look like a book just because it is called a book... The pages are driving me nuts. I want to see all available spells on one page.
 

A nice workaround would be to show a long scroll with details of all the spells. Then you can scroll up and down to read more, rather than turn pages.

 

 

Works for me. Scrolling up/down with the mouse wheel would be perfect. Each spell is one line of text and a small icon, perhaps with spell description as a popup on mouse over.

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

If you're going to do work on the spellbook UI, please give us a way to sort what spells to show. Preferably after what spellbook they're in.

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

The use of more TABS at the bottom of the Book might work. A TAB for each Element perhaps.

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

i would also like a separate and totally different UI for casting, that doesn't eat up the screen. like a small overlay at the side that just shows small icons, and gives the details as a tool tip. have it open automatically when i select a channeler.

Reply #7 from Elemental Forums Top

From Sethai,

 

i would also like a separate and totally different UI for casting, that doesn't eat up the screen. like a small overlay at the side that just shows small icons, and gives the details as a tool tip. have it open automatically when i select a channeler.

 

 

One word: Yup.

Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top
Makes sense, spells icons on the HUD. Even with the spellbook, the picture on the right page adds nothing, and the description can be accomplished with a mouseover, so you can free up the right page to show spell icons. The picture can still be shown if somebody hits a "more info" tab but it doesn't have to always be there everytime we cast a spell in tactical combat. 
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

It certainly does feel like the interface could be improved for the spell books.  I approve this discussion.

Reply #10 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting John_Hughes, reply 5
The use of more TABS at the bottom of the Book might work. A TAB for each Element perhaps.
Even better, a tab for each spellbook altogether. This is organizationally convenient once you end up with a lot of spells, and fluffily represents the idea that you're amassing a magical library. There would have to also be a view more like the current one, though. That view is fine, it just really should be made bigger, and layout elements should take up less real estate. A big portion of the current setup is the edges of the books and etc, and that stuff uses only a relatively small portion of my screen.