Projects/Usability/HIG/Toolbar: Difference between revisions

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< Projects‎ | Usability‎ | HIG
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{{ Moved To Community | KDE_Visual_Design_Group/HIG/Toolbar }}
 
== Purpose ==
A ''tool bar'' is a graphical presentation of commands optimized for fast access. Typically, a toolbar contains buttons that correspond to items in an application's menu, providing direct access to application's most frequently used functions.
 
A good menu bar is a comprehensive catalog of all the available top-level commands, whereas a good tool bar gives quick, convenient access to frequently used commands.
== Examples ==
 
== Guidelines ==
=== Is this the right control ===
* For standard applications, apply a tool bar by default.
* Provide a tool bar in addition to the menu bar, but do not replace the menu bar.
===  Behavior ===
* A tool bar should contain only a few, frequently used operations. If the number of operations is above 5 they have to be grouped with separators. Not more than 3 of those sections should be implemented.
* Do not abuse the tool bar to expose application's features. Only the most frequently functions should be add to the tool bar.
* Execute operations immediately; do not require additional input from user.
* Do not use [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Buttons|menu buttons]] in tool bars. They do not fit well the concept of fast access.
* Try to avoid using [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Buttons|split buttons]] or [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Toggle_Buttons|toggle buttons]] in order to keep the interaction with all buttons in the tool bar consistent.
* Do not hide tool bars by default.  If configurable, users should easily be able to make the tool bar viewable again.
* Disable buttons that do not apply to the current context.
* Consider to provide customization for tool bars in respect to position and content.
 
===  Appearance ===
* Do not change the button style (QToolbar::toolButtonStyle) from the default. The default is currently text beside icons.
* Use and design tool bar icons with special care. Users remember location of an object but rely as well on icon properties.
* A distinct association between the underlying function and its visual depiction is crucial. Follow the advices for [[Projects/Usability/HIG/IconDesign|icon design]].
* Do not simulate Microsoft's ribbon controls. KDE stays plain and simple.
==  Implementation ==
 
[[Category:Usability]][[Category:Behavior]][[Category:Viewing_and_Navigation]][[Category:Access_functions]]

Latest revision as of 12:09, 4 August 2016

This page is now on the community wiki.