Design concept question [selectable GUI]
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 7:48 am
Hi GANG !
I have a project in mind that will require a different technique than I've ever tried before. The project itself is not really the base issue ... it the way the GUI components would work.
Let me explain ... simply if I can with a generic example.
Designing an equalizer interface for a multi band EQ. Let say [simply] a LOW, a MID, and a HIGH band. [simple].
What I'd like to be able to do, is allow the user to select WHICH 'band' they want to have
In other words ... if the entire GUI interface was sized to handle 6 bands ... there would be 6 'holding slots' available. From maybe a pull-down menu, the user could select one of the 3 bands. Since there are 6 slots, they could choose 2 of the same band .... even .... they could choose all 6 bands to be the same.
Key ... however, is that EACH band is self contained and independent .... even if all selections are of the same band.
If any of this makes sense .... great !
I know we can switch sections of an interface, much like a 'tabbed' window. With 6 slots and 3 choices for each, I could duplicate each of the 3 band for the 6 sections ... making 18 modules. But that seems a really simple way, but very crude and resource waste. Magnify that if I had 10 bands with 10 open slots
The point I'm looking to address is opening the option that if a user needs 2 MID bands to work with, or maybe finds they'd like a 3rd, the option is there.
Since the GUI size needs to be determined from the start, I'm thinking how to approach a more open choice in what the user wants the EQ configuration to be.
BTW ... I'm using the EQ as an example, as it's easier to visualize.
I figure I'm not the first one to think of something like this, but at the early thought process as to what may be involved as to things like management of the various elements.
Just thinking this out loud ... any thoughts, ideas you'd care to share would be most welcome and helpful as to things to consider, etc.
thanks Guys ... always appreciated !

I have a project in mind that will require a different technique than I've ever tried before. The project itself is not really the base issue ... it the way the GUI components would work.
Let me explain ... simply if I can with a generic example.
Designing an equalizer interface for a multi band EQ. Let say [simply] a LOW, a MID, and a HIGH band. [simple].
What I'd like to be able to do, is allow the user to select WHICH 'band' they want to have
In other words ... if the entire GUI interface was sized to handle 6 bands ... there would be 6 'holding slots' available. From maybe a pull-down menu, the user could select one of the 3 bands. Since there are 6 slots, they could choose 2 of the same band .... even .... they could choose all 6 bands to be the same.
Key ... however, is that EACH band is self contained and independent .... even if all selections are of the same band.
If any of this makes sense .... great !
I know we can switch sections of an interface, much like a 'tabbed' window. With 6 slots and 3 choices for each, I could duplicate each of the 3 band for the 6 sections ... making 18 modules. But that seems a really simple way, but very crude and resource waste. Magnify that if I had 10 bands with 10 open slots
The point I'm looking to address is opening the option that if a user needs 2 MID bands to work with, or maybe finds they'd like a 3rd, the option is there.
Since the GUI size needs to be determined from the start, I'm thinking how to approach a more open choice in what the user wants the EQ configuration to be.
BTW ... I'm using the EQ as an example, as it's easier to visualize.
I figure I'm not the first one to think of something like this, but at the early thought process as to what may be involved as to things like management of the various elements.
Just thinking this out loud ... any thoughts, ideas you'd care to share would be most welcome and helpful as to things to consider, etc.
thanks Guys ... always appreciated !