1
DF Suggestions / Clean up building menu
« on: April 04, 2010, 06:34:53 pm »
Seriously, why has noone else apparently suggested this before?
Even if you take input inconsistencies (Arrow keys vs. +-/* vs. umkh) aside, the current interface for creating buildings is simply an unorganized mess of uncountable menu options. I pity the fool who chooses to build something in DF and finds himself within the horrible maze that is DF's building menu.
With the release of 0.31.01, Toady's gone the right direction regarding the interface for dwarves' labor options.
But I say: This is not enough. The building-interface needs to undergo the same changes to make it less cluttered-up. The building-interface needs MOAR CATEGORIES.
I've put some more thought into this issue and assembled a more or less reasonable proposal for a new structure of the building menu. Along with this proposal come a few name-changes for the menu items so the categories make some more sense.
I left some items uncategorized, though, because I coudn't think of any categorization that would make any sense.
To explain the format: Categories are prefixed with a '+', items have no prefix. Both sub-categories and single menu items are indented accordingly to outline the structure. Comments in parantheses. It should be pretty intuitive though, I think.
Finally, here's my proposal for a new building menu, nicely spoilered for those who apparently don't care:
Hopefully I didn't forget any items.
Furthermore, I propose that all menus list categories first and single items last. Even better, make categories visually distinct from simple items other than using plural nouns.
Even if you take input inconsistencies (Arrow keys vs. +-/* vs. umkh) aside, the current interface for creating buildings is simply an unorganized mess of uncountable menu options. I pity the fool who chooses to build something in DF and finds himself within the horrible maze that is DF's building menu.
With the release of 0.31.01, Toady's gone the right direction regarding the interface for dwarves' labor options.
But I say: This is not enough. The building-interface needs to undergo the same changes to make it less cluttered-up. The building-interface needs MOAR CATEGORIES.
I've put some more thought into this issue and assembled a more or less reasonable proposal for a new structure of the building menu. Along with this proposal come a few name-changes for the menu items so the categories make some more sense.
I left some items uncategorized, though, because I coudn't think of any categorization that would make any sense.
To explain the format: Categories are prefixed with a '+', items have no prefix. Both sub-categories and single menu items are indented accordingly to outline the structure. Comments in parantheses. It should be pretty intuitive though, I think.
Finally, here's my proposal for a new building menu, nicely spoilered for those who apparently don't care:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Hopefully I didn't forget any items.
Furthermore, I propose that all menus list categories first and single items last. Even better, make categories visually distinct from simple items other than using plural nouns.