proposed spec:
File Open/Save/Save_as_Copy only work on .xcf - all other formats must use File
Import/Export.[1]
Add File/Import and Export to handle alien formats.
File/New and File/Import would be very similar: they both create a new image
with various attributes. New gets the the attributes from the dialog, Import
gets them from the image file. Currently, File/New, OK, file/Close does not
produce a nag. (good.) File/Import, File/Close would not nag.
File/New currently does not name the image. That gets asked for on save. The
same would apply to File/Import: it would not inherit the name. File/Save
would
default the name to Import name, but using .xcf instead of ext of Import.
File/Export would default to the Imported name.ext and type. (example:
File/Import foo.gif, File/Save prompts for name, defaults to foo.xcf.
File/Export defaults to foo.gif)
command line usage would still work with any format. but that only applies to
'loading' the file, not what it's name is. (i think all save/export cases are
covered above)
The only nag will be when trying to close a touched image that has not been
saved (which by #1 would always be as .xcf)
File/Preference option to turn off the you will loose info nag. Possibly
some
options to tune it, like Only nag if not saved in any format. (I have a
feeling that is more confusing than it is worth, but would be easy enough to
implement, and would save my ass when I accidentally close the wrong image
window.) I am pretty sure there is a usability law that says an app should
always warn before discarding data, so I am pretty sure there should always be
the Save the changes to 'Untitled' before closing? nag.
/proposed spec
I think this would remove the need for all nags except save unchanged?
It would add steps when using gimp to edit an alien format.
current: gimp foo.gif, (or launch gimp, Open foo.gif), edit, Save, Close.
proposed: gimp foo.gif, (or launch gimp, Import foo.gif), edit, Export, Hit
Save
button (filename defaulted to foo.gif)[2], Close, hit Don't_Save in respose to
Save Unchanged...?
Damm... there is still something that I am not sure how to handle: When
Exporting, should it nag when you are overwriting an existing file? I think
the
answer is 'yes' which will add another step. I can see gimp being intelligent
about this and doing the obvious thing (don't nag if using the default) but
that
might be crossing a line into automagic. maybe another Preferences option.
One question: should gimps 'normal' behavior make it easy (minimum nags) to edit
A) alien formats,
or
B) gimps native format?
I am kinda liking the idea that gimp makes it easy to edit/save gimp images,
and
alian formats are derivatives, not the primary storage for images.
Did I mis anything?
Carl K
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