Posted
While development is going on, I want to share some details about what is to come with the next update. We are in the middle of a pretty huge refactoring and restructuring that eliminates long standing technical debt we have accumulated over the years and that we need to get rid of before we can move forward.
The goals are
- More intuitive navigation and less confusing parameter selection
- Make the overview page work more like a track sheet in a DAW (linear arrangements)
- Make racks feel more like a DAW mixer with more insert slots
- Better tutorials and marketing videos based on a new simplified user interface
- A new surprise product we can't yet talk about
This effort is also in preparation for eventually porting some of Synfire's features to C++ for better integration with DAWs and a more industry standard user experience for everyday workflows. It is still a long way but making Synfire (or parts of it) a plug-in is a possibility.
Simplification doesn't mean we will dumb it down. We are just looking to hide some of its complexity and make the screen layouts more unified and intuitive. It's mostly small changes here and there that add up and make a noticeable difference.
I'll share a few screenshots soon.
Sa., 12.07.2025 - 19:22 Permalink
The main pages will share more of the same layout (most detail views are still optional). It bugged me for years already that each page had parameters in a different place and shape. I don't know about you, but the distinct layout on every page slowed me down.
- Parameters are now always on the right and always vertical. Even on the Library page and even the Palette and Progression pages have their Outlets now placed on the right (the only exception is the small "Parameters" tab in the lower left of the library browser). Need to reach for a parameter? Reach to the right. Small change - huge difference.
- There's a small parameter toolbar (like the one on the parameter inspector) on most pages now.
- Container structure and Snippets grid can be opened on every page (optional), so you can drag & drop content to and from either side. On a big monitor you can have all of them open at the same time which is convenient.
- The Matrix can no longer be confused with a mixing console. This confusion frustrated some users with false expectations. It is now more like a telephone switchboard, which is its intended purpose.
There's more to come.
(EDIT: Can't upload screenshots - Apple's Preview crashes all the time, wait ...)