6 Replies Latest reply: Aug 9, 2013 10:30 AM by JJMack RSS

    Why do vector objects use a different GUI to set colours?

    Herbert2001 Community Member
    Herbert2001 Aug 8, 2013 11:39 AM

      While teaching Photoshop in a class of mine, I noticed that in CS6 vector objects's colours remain unaffected by the main colour controls, and we have to switch to the object selection tool to display the colour controls in the properties bar.

       

      Now, this feels very, very disjointed - why would one introduce such a disconnect in the overall user interface? Why not just use the ordinary colour controls? I mean, trying to pick up the colour from a bitmap layer for a vector object takes five steps now: select object with object selection tool, click on the fill button in the properties bar, click on the colour picker, then we can pick up a colour from the image, anc finally click to confirm. And the colour change only gets applied after clicking "okay". No realtime feedback. Have to repeat the last three steps again and again to test for different colours.

       

      Wow. Just... Wow. :-(

       

      The Colour swatch palette does not work either with vector objects. Nor the eye dropper tool! Just plain silly, if you ask me.

       

      Quite a bad workflow, or am I missing something here?

       

      I compare this to Photoline, where the overall colour controls govern all types of objects, including vector layers and bitmap layers the same way, and with instant feedback. Photoshop CS6's colour picking workflow for vector objects looks extremely convoluted compared.

       

      Has this workflow been improved at all in Photoshop CC?

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        • 1. Re: Why do vector objects use a different GUI to set colours?
          csuebele CommunityMVP
          csuebele Aug 8, 2013 12:33 PM (in response to Herbert2001)

          Can't you just double click on the shape's thumbnail to bring up the color picker, which you can then use to sample a color?  You can't set stroke this way, but at least the fill is pretty quick to set.

          • 2. Re: Why do vector objects use a different GUI to set colours?
            Herbert2001 Community Member
            Herbert2001 Aug 8, 2013 4:32 PM (in response to csuebele)

            I am aware of that, but the point I am trying to make is that it all looks and feels as if it is bolted on top of the base functionality, and not integrated very well.

            • 3. Re: Why do vector objects use a different GUI to set colours?
              JJMack Community Member
              JJMack Aug 8, 2013 6:47 PM (in response to Herbert2001)

              Photoshop started out as a raster image processor that evolved  layer, filters, action, scripting and  tools are other feature were added some were well other bolted on like limited  vector graphics and 3D support.  Mainly to work better with other Adobe products like Illustrator and Indesign.  Photoshop is not going to stack up well with real Vector and 3d Programs that were designed from the ground up to be vector and 3D applications.

               

              I've read good things about Photoline and feel it may well well be a better offering then Photoshop Elements for it has features Adobe did not include in Elements for they did not want Elements to compete strongly with Photoshop. And Photoline cost is about the same as Elements.   I sure Photoline has implemented some Photoshop type features better then Adobe did in Photoshop. I willing to bet that Photoline is missing some of the features found in Photoshop that you use.  For if Photoline had everything Photoshop has to offer you would not be here.  Still You may be better off just using Photoline for it most likely has fewer  bugs then Photoshop and any bugs in it are more likely to be fixed then bugs in Photoshop.

              • 4. Re: Why do vector objects use a different GUI to set colours?
                csuebele CommunityMVP
                csuebele Aug 8, 2013 7:38 PM (in response to JJMack)

                I do agree with you, Herbert, that the UI for shapes is klunky and seems bolted on, as you stated.  Perhaps Adobe will streamline this.

                • 5. Re: Why do vector objects use a different GUI to set colours?
                  Herbert2001 Community Member
                  Herbert2001 Aug 8, 2013 11:40 PM (in response to csuebele)

                  @ JJMack: I used Photoshop in a professional manner since version 3, so I am sort of privy to its overall development throughout the years. ;-)

                   

                  My intention is not to start a comparison between Photoline and Photoshop - both have their caveats and benefits. I stopped using Photoshop 9 months ago and switched to Photoline, and on overall, I much prefer PL's workflow now for image editing and compositing. (Comparing Elements with PL is not really a fair fight - PL's feature set, aside from the 3d, scripting, and video components, is 95% feature identical with Photoshop).

                   

                  The main reason I still have Photoshop in my professional life is not due to missing features in the alternatives I now use compared to Photoshop (as a matter of fact the combined power of the alternatives are superior in terms of provided features), but merely because the students I teach are taught the "industry standard", and I keep up knowledge-wise.

                   

                  Anyway, I am not expecting Photoshop to encompass the same functionality as Illustrator, nor do I want to compare Photoline's vector drawing tools to a dedicated vector illustration package. I am, however, experienced enough as a user (and a UX designer myself) to identify some very odd fragmented user interface behaviours in software.

                   

                  The new vector shapes are a very welcome recent addition in PH, though I question the strange disconnected implementation.

                  • 6. Re: Why do vector objects use a different GUI to set colours?
                    JJMack Community Member
                    JJMack Aug 9, 2013 10:30 AM (in response to Herbert2001)

                    Herbert2001 wrote:

                    (Comparing Elements with PL is not really a fair fight - PL's feature set, aside from the 3d, scripting, and video components, is 95% feature identical with Photoshop).

                     

                    For you 3d, scripting, video and perhaps some other features not in Photoline is not that important. Even if these features are less then 5% of Photoshop the importance on any one of the features could be of the utmost importance for someone.  Most Photoshop users use a small subset of Photoshop.  What is important is are the features you need. Having to use multiple applications like Photoshop, Photoline and Lightroom mean you have higher cost and higher maintenance more to learn. With CC alone you have to pay forever will be hit with new bugs. Sometimes having something that works for one and sticking with it is the best option. Have been hit with too many bugs since CS3.... I'll sticking with CS6.

                     

                    Photoline does not have scripting so it not a good option for me.  Photoshop CS6 has scripting and has bugs but I know where the bugs that effect me are and can avoid all but for the occasional Photoshop crashes and preferences corruption that seem to be part of Photoshop. Photoshop CC is not a viable option.