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View Full Version : Upcoming Interface Updates - Now Available on TEST



BadEye
March 21st, 2025, 20:04
Application Updates

[ADDED] PC/NPC portraits/tokens display in chat window when using Speak As button (or the "Set GM voice to active CT" option).
[UPDATED] Right click menu converted to standard context menu design.
[UPDATED] Asset view controls expand grid/list entries to fill window better.


I wanted to expand a bit on these three improvements to the UI that will come with the next release...they are part of our continued focus on updated the experience and polish this year.



Farewell Radial Menu - Hello Context Menu

At the top of every feedback list whenever we've heard that the Fantasy Grounds UI is "dated" has been the use of radial menus. With this upcoming release, the radial menu has been replaced with a familiar list-style context menu that we've all gotten used to in most current applications.

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The former radial menu didn't have sufficient room for button labels, meaning that the "cognitive load" and time to find what you were looking for was increased by a few milliseconds / seconds when it was used, even for anyone that was very familiar with what all the icons meant.

The new context menu gives more immediate recognition with both icons and labels, reducing much of that cognitive load and also using the on-screen space better.

I've been using the new menu in a local build for a few weeks and the change is so noticeably better that I've had a hard time using our live build!



PC/NPC Portraits in Chat

This capability was once available in an extension that is no longer seeing updates, and is an example of work that we intend to continue to do more of this year - incorporating the functionality of popular extensions into the core application.

To get the portrait / token automatically pulled into chat where it used to not display, simply use the Speak As button or set the GM voice appropriately in the chat window.

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Window Contents Sizing Tweaks

This one might not be obvious at a glance, but it is an example of the UI polish that we are focusing on bringing into the app more and more. Previously, the contents of windows like Assets didn't dynamically resize in a fluid way, meaning that much of the time the right side of the window would appear to have too much padding.

With this change, the window padding now looks like it feels like it should.

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Plenty more to come as we continue to make visual and polish improvements to Fantasy Grounds. If you find any issues in TEST, be sure to report it so we can get all these things ready for release.


Thanks!

LordEntrails
March 21st, 2025, 20:23
Thanks for these additional details. Looking forward to having some time to explore them in Test. Hope other can as well!

For those new to Test, see more info here: The Laboratory (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?55-The-Laboratory)

claedawg
March 21st, 2025, 21:03
Sweet!!!

rigerco
March 22nd, 2025, 00:12
Kewl beans, I've missed that npc portrait in chat feature!

Tempered7
March 22nd, 2025, 10:43
NPC Portraits!
Also thinning the sides of windows will save space in 1920 x 1080.
Rejoice!

Keep up the good work coding-wizards :)

Already having fun :D https://imgur.com/a/KuVzN2U & 2nd scene for /mood (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=63863&d=1742643888)

Muagen
March 22nd, 2025, 15:17
Regarding the replacement for the radial menu, can we get a video demonstration of that? I'm actually quite fond of the radial menu, and I'd like to know what I'm getting myself into if and when I update.

Jiminimonka
March 22nd, 2025, 15:25
Regarding the replacement for the radial menu, can we get a video demonstration of that? I'm actually quite fond of the radial menu, and I'd like to know what I'm getting myself into if and when I update.

This is what Test is for, to check these things out and Test them. ;)

But here is GIF I made last night.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/274634463860883458/1352754520463114261/Peek_2025-03-21_21-23.gif?ex=67df2a52&is=67ddd8d2&hm=2a3f7b66c96d14610ba59bc7efe1faaff6525f423aae9e7 66a1a1b26f00eb8c0&width=1779&height=1051

Muagen
March 22nd, 2025, 15:33
Thanks for the gif.

I know there's a Test server, but on occasion I can't or don't want to spend time getting a Test client up and running. It doesn't look like it's actually as radical and catastrophic a change as I was worried it would be, but since Smiteworks is making the change, I feel it's not too much to ask for a proper preview.

Jiminimonka
March 22nd, 2025, 15:35
Yeah, its not a bad change - allowing graphics and text will help people navigate the menu. Also probably linked with the in-development tablet app....

Muagen
March 22nd, 2025, 15:37
Yeah, its not a bad change - allowing graphics and text will help people navigate the menu. Also probably linked with the in-development tablet app....

Don't you get my hopes up, sir.

Morenu
March 22nd, 2025, 18:25
As a veteran user, it will be a change but most likely (according to OP) it will speed things up a little soon into getting used to it. for the beginning users I believe it will VASTLY improve their experience and willingness to learn. Plus, since almost anything that is neutral or better for the established clientele AND easier / better for new users is beneficial for both SW and the player base as a whole, I say NICE JOB!

Tempered7
March 22nd, 2025, 18:41
for the beginning users I believe it will VASTLY improve their experience and willingness to learn. Plus, since almost anything that is neutral or better for the established clientele AND easier / better for new users is beneficial for both SW and the player base as a whole, I say NICE JOB!

I'm used to radial menus from NWN times but I must say, this type is way faster even for me.

One thing though. Right click on main area > Exit Program should be under the Return to Launcher. I accidentally exit a lot.

JohnD
March 22nd, 2025, 22:54
Coming from 12+ years of NWN, I never found the raidal menu to be an issue, but if this is seen as a "step forward", I'm certain I'll manage to adjust.

zarlor
March 23rd, 2025, 03:59
Should also be a major help for some interesting tabletop setups, such as using a touchscreen as a tabletop.

Kelrugem
March 23rd, 2025, 10:03
Sounds like a nice change, thanks! Especially in the action tab that might be useful with its different delete buttons so that the text next to the buttons helps me (delete spell or delete just one of its actions; too often I click on the wrong one).

Egheal
March 23rd, 2025, 10:29
Thanks for those improvements. They are nice and easy to get used to. Can the Module Activation Window take advantage of it too? This window is very limited in size.

Mephisto
March 23rd, 2025, 19:21
One thing though. Right click on main area > Exit Program should be under the Return to Launcher. I accidentally exit a lot.

This. :)

BadEye
March 24th, 2025, 18:41
Thanks for the gif.

I know there's a Test server, but on occasion I can't or don't want to spend time getting a Test client up and running. It doesn't look like it's actually as radical and catastrophic a change as I was worried it would be, but since Smiteworks is making the change, I feel it's not too much to ask for a proper preview.

You're right, it's not too much to ask for a proper preview - it's just not the time for that yet.

This was a heads up that the new approach was coming to the TEST channel for anyone that wanted to help us try it out and provide feedback. We wouldn't want to do a broader preview yet because it's still subject to change depending on that feedback. We will share a great look at the new menu to everyone when the concrete is dry prior to the actual release.

Thanks!

fabiocm
March 25th, 2025, 18:44
When is the changes scheduled to be on live?

LordEntrails
March 25th, 2025, 18:49
When is the changes scheduled to be on live?
April 22
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?84611-Developer-Notes-2025-04-Ruleset-Updates&p=740471&viewfull=1#post740471

ddavison
March 25th, 2025, 21:10
In video form for those that want to check it out without hopping into the TEST channel.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQiDjoBYpB8

Jiminimonka
March 25th, 2025, 21:30
Good stuff!

celestian
March 26th, 2025, 00:08
I'm used to radial menus from NWN times but I must say, this type is way faster even for me.

One thing though. Right click on main area > Exit Program should be under the Return to Launcher. I accidentally exit a lot.

Or, just add a confirmation dialog "Are you sure you want to exit FGU?".




[UPDATED] Right click menu converted to standard context menu design.


Will this "replace" the existing functionality already in code or will we need to migrate menus to the new style?

Moon Wizard
March 26th, 2025, 01:21
This replaces the menus already in the existing code/scripts. No migration is required.

Regards,
JPG

Lo Zeno
March 26th, 2025, 09:50
I've played around with the Test channel a bit to see the new menus - which I love, don't get me wrong. But why is the fontsize of the new menus so much bigger than the default fontsize of all other windows? It's a bit jarring, IMHO it would look better if it was at least approximately the same fontsize

ddavison
March 26th, 2025, 13:09
Thanks for the feedback on the font size.

Moon Wizard
March 26th, 2025, 19:06
Just pushed a new Test channel update that brings the context menu size in line with other font sizes in the ruleset UI.

Regards,
JPG