Integrate Indigo, Violet, Orange...

[PhilBo]

Please don't take this wrong at all, I love Indigo. But recently I used Kerkythea 2007 (traitor!), and I long for that type of interface for Indigo. It seems that the efforts of the XML viewer, Violet and Orange are all wrapped up into a simple executable (well, simple for the end user!) If you haven't tried it, I suggest that you do just for look at a nice renderer GUI.

There are so many really great features that this brings to the table:

1) The ability to load an XML file and use material libraries to assign materials, scene settings, etc. I like editing xml files by hand as much as the next guy, but being to quickly reuse code chucks from a library is awesome.

2) The ability to tone map the resulting image even while it's rendering

3) The ability to easily pause and resume rendering...by clicking a pause button no less.

4) The ability to move objects and reposition them right in the renderer (I hate having every thing set up correctly and then re-exporting just to reposition an object or light.)

Would it be too much of a copy cat move to combine the various indigo projects into a single tool...Indigo w/ a UI?

Am I a heretic for suggesting such a thing? Please be kind with the flaming.

Phil

[tungee]

you have my signature under it.

[F.ip2]

KTs interface is a reason why i selected it for my interior design students.
they need something simple an easy.

a better interface and path set would be great.

but i am ok with having render and tone mapping separated.

[OnoSendai]

Hi PhilBo,
I appreciate all criticisms and ideas, don't worry about being flamed (by me at least )

I've already made the main Indigo program use wxWindows, so it looks a little like Violet now.
The tonemapping is still separated, but at least it will be easier to integrate in future if that's the way i wanna go.
A pause button is a nice idea and something i will add soonish probably.

EDIT:
usability feedback is especially important and valued, even if i don't act on it straight away.
This is because for me, I'd be happy using a console app and hand-hacking xml. But not everyone wants to or can work that way