Hi everybody!
I've been using Mach3 for the last couple of years to drive two machines. One small router and one X,Y,Z table for dispense applications.
I've been working as a graphic designer for the last 15 years. I've been watching this thread and i really liked the approaches of many Mach3 users. So, during Xmas holidays, i made my attempt to design my own screen. It took me 2 days working on it since i believe there are certain rules one has to follow during an interface design approach.
This specific screen is exclusively photoshop work.
My first attempt on GUI (Graphic User Interface) design was 10 years ago, when i used to design my own applications on FileMakerPro (Database program). I had to read many books having to do with GUI and i would like to refer to some important issues that i take in mind:
1) Navigation from screen to screen, from screen to function and backwards
2) Button design
3) The number of buttons on a screen
4) The tab concept
5) Distinguishable graphic elements and distinguishable groups of them
6) The size of elements
7) Colour contrast
When i started designing the screen, the first limitation appeared to me: The invisible power behind a GUI is... habit.
If this screen is finished and other users of the program use it too, it would be wrong to change the overall design of the Mach3 screen (even though i strongly disagree with the position and the size of certain buttons, fonts, etc) since the change would cause confusion to the power user. So, i constrained myself to changes having to do with the design of the buttons, fonts, leds and colours. In other words, we actually have a different skin here.
The only new idea that is proved to be a powerful communicative media to describe precisely the meaning of speed is the
analog instrument for feedrate and spindle control.
In the feedrate control the
analog instrument (if it possible) can show the realtime speed of axis (acceleration for example)
I would appreciate your opinion. If it's worth it, i will continue to the design of the rest of Mach3 screens (MDI, Diagnostics, etc)
Is it possible for the analog instruments to operate with some flash work for example?
I don't have the slightest idea about using the Screendesigner or Screen 4.... so any help from you is more than wellcome!
I can upload the psd file on rapid share and share it with you.
All the buttons are layered in five stages (normal, over, hit, pressed, disabled)
All the DROs, MDI, buttons and leds have transparent edges so as to be background independent.
The scale DRO are missing and also some other things.... but you can get the basic design of my screen
Thanks in advance
George
Clik Here :
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/7960/toubalismach3maincc1.jpg
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