Change Details

In 2.8 we added the ability to bring multiple objects into Edit Mode. However, it’s not easy enough to pull in more objects into the Edit Mode session, or to evict items from it. The Outliner can be of great use here. Here’s how I think we can solve it: When in Edit Mode (or any mode that supports editing multiple objects), we add a fourth column of toggles. Using these, it’s easily possible to either add in any items into your session, or to evict something you are done editing. {F5874658} As a bonus, the also makes it easier to see which items are in the mode and which are not.

These different items have related implications, so design task is merged as one. ##Outliner-Properties syncing From inside the Outliner, it would be useful to be able to sync with the Properties editor, so that it would reflect whatever data you have selected there: {F7652129} //In this example clicking on the Material data would open the Material Properties.// However, this has other implications: Currently, selecting obData (mesh, curve etc) switches the mode to Edit mode. But, this would conflict with Outliner-Properties syncing. if we use selecting for switching Properties contexts, mode switching by clicking on data must be removed. In my estimation, making selection change the mode is not what you would expect anyway. Instead, switching modes could be done by holding a modifier key or via the Context Menu. ##Managing object mode states Once you are inside edit mode: In 2.8 we added the ability to bring multiple objects into Edit Mode. However, it’s not easy enough to pull in more objects into the Edit Mode session, or to evict items from it. The Outliner can be of great use here. Here’s how I think we can solve it: When in Edit Mode (or any mode that supports editing multiple objects), we add a fourth column of toggles. Using these, it’s easily possible to either add in any items into your session, or to evict something you are done editing. {F5874658} As a bonus, the also makes it easier to see which items are in the mode and which are not.

These different items have related implications, so design task is merged as one. ##Outliner-Properties syncing From inside the Outliner, it would be useful to be able to sync with the Properties editor, so that it would reflect whatever data you have selected there: {F7652129} //In this example clicking on the Material data would open the Material Properties.// However, this has other implications: Currently, selecting obData (mesh, curve etc) switches the mode to Edit mode. But, this would conflict with Outliner-Properties syncing. if we use selecting for switching Properties contexts, mode switching by clicking on data must be removed. In my estimation, making selection change the mode is not what you would expect anyway. Instead, switching modes could be done by holding a modifier key or via the Context Menu. ##Managing object mode states Once you are inside edit mode: In 2.8 we added the ability to bring multiple objects into Edit Mode. However, it’s not easy enough to pull in more objects into the Edit Mode session, or to evict items from it. The Outliner can be of great use here. Here’s how I think we can solve it: When in Edit Mode (or any mode that supports editing multiple objects), we add a fourth column of toggles. Using these, it’s easily possible to either add in any items into your session, or to evict something you are done editing. {F5874658} As a bonus, the also makes it easier to see which items are in the mode and which are not.