Kel Philm wrote:This would not change existing functionality, currently if you drag an output to empty space it does nothing, most node graph software use this method, its just a time saver as the new node appears where you want it, not where Fusion wants to put it.
a) Not all nodes (tools) can work together nor do they connect with the same input. Hence we have different colored inputs, which if compatible connect automatically. You can right mouse click on the input and get a list of available inputs. Clicking on empty space to bring up a menu, is backwards, because it would mean you are already committed to searching for a particular compatible nodes, even if they may have multiple inputs., It would limit options, not expand them.
If you never worked with Fusion in any significant way, you probably do not understand this process, and only want app to adopt to something you are used, weather its actually better funcioning or not. Hence I think you need to take into account the actual functionality, not personal preferences developed in another app.
b) If there were to be a new pop up for tool selection by dragging an output to an empty space, you would have to let go of the mouse / stylus and type in the tool you want from the list, and commit yourself to a specific node and connection, since like I said, not all nodes connect to each other and not only does the order matter, but also many nodes have multiple connections. Which is the point of a dedicated node editor. You build a node tree with a flow for what you want. You don't work linearly like with layers. There is a linearity with the flow, but its not like working with layers. Hence we bring in the nodes first than we connect. Its not an accident, its the way to be more efficient, the opposite of what you think you need. Learn how to use Fusion as it was meant to be used and you will understand why.
c) Wireless nodes and many other methods of working, including multiple node connections which are standard in most workflow are by their vary nature designed for node to do something to be interacted with first. Than it makes sense to connect something. This is the case for how Fusion works in general. You drop a node, you change a setting of a node , you connect something to it. Its not how all nodes work, but many do. Once you get used to it, its how you think in fusion workflow. What you suggest seems to come from a different way to work and different app.
As I've said before. Fusion is full of ways to automate and speed up many common and less common tasks. Try to work with those and you will see that what you suggest, while it could be implemented, I fail to see how it would improve upon existing methods used by so many. Migrating from one app you are used to into the next takes time to adjust, but apps should be judged on its own merit.
I've worked with Photoshop for many, many years and I know all the shortcuts and quirks as do many who us it. But if I were designing an up from scratch , I don't think I would ever made is a counterintuitive and quirky as it is. But that is the nature of apps that have been out for so long, they evolve and usually try to not break existing workflows for people who do actually use them on daily basis. I remember when someone in Adobe tried to change simple way to scale up layers where for decades you had to hold SHIFT key to scale up proportionally, and than someone at Adobe though it would be good idea to make it default behaviour. After lot of pissed of comments and blow back they reverted to the way it was before and added it a menu option to do what they did. My point is , its not a good idea to try to change how apps work unless you are very much a veteran of using it, or its very easy to break existing functionality for personal preference sake.
When people come over to Blender from Maya or 3D Studio Max its super frustrating , because Blender being open source does things Blender way, completely counterintuitive for mos seasoned users of 3D apps that were industry standard. This is to be expected. So what should be done? Should the Blender be changed to be like Maya, or should Maya changed to be like Blender, or should the user change?
Even people coming over from Nuke to Fusion complain but they get used to it... or don't.