Fanning UI Controls for Image Editing Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in efficiently editing digital images due to the complexity of existing image editing applications, which require numerous steps and lack intuitive tools, leading to time-consuming processes and often result in unsatisfactory edits.
Innovation Solution
A novel user interface (UI) tool with fanning UI controls that provides animations to open and close UI elements, offering intuitive controls for applying effects and edits, including thumbnail sliders and brush tools, allowing users to preview and apply edits in a non-destructive manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional image editing applications provide multiple tools and steps for editing, then the functionality and versatility are improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple editing tools and functions into a single unified interface. The circular menu aggregates various editing operations (filters, adjustments, transformations) that would traditionally require separate tool selections, merging diverse functionalities into one accessible location.
Solution Approach 2:
The circular menu serves as a universal interface for multiple editing operations. A single interface element provides access to diverse editing functions including filters, color adjustments, and transformations, making the interface multi-functional rather than requiring separate specialized tools.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional image editing applications provide multiple tools and steps for editing, then the editing versatility is improved, but the ease of operation and time efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The circular menu segments editing functions into distinct, visually separated options within the circle. Each editing function is represented as a separate segment or icon, allowing users to quickly identify and select desired operations without navigating through complex hierarchical menus.
Solution Approach 2:
The circular menu provides dynamic interaction where the interface responds to user gestures such as rotating the circle to navigate between options or expanding certain segments for detailed adjustment. This dynamic behavior makes the interface more intuitive and easier to operate.
3Manufacturing precision
If users iterate through many steps and tools to modify images, then the editing precision may be improved, but the time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circular menu presents all editing options in advance in a single view, allowing users to see and select the desired editing function immediately without navigating through multiple menu levels. This preliminary presentation of all options reduces the time required to initiate editing operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If image editing applications provide comprehensive tools, then the adaptability is improved, but the difficulty of finding appropriate tools increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circular menu uses color coding to differentiate between various types of editing functions. Different color segments or icons represent different categories of edits (e.g., color adjustments, filters, transformations), making it easier for users to locate appropriate tools based on visual cues rather than text alone.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide a method of presenting several user interface (UI) controls for editing images. Upon receiving a selection of an image to edit, the method displays the image in a display area for displaying edits to the image. At a first location, the method receives input to activate a UI tool includes the several UI tools. In response to the input, the method displays, at a second location, a fanning animation that fans the several UI controls from a fanned closed layout to a fanned open layout.