Sketch: UI suggestions to making length constraints more discoverable

[lure23]

In my other post I explain how 'Sketch > Sketch Dimension' mode currently works on straight lines.

Here is a collection of ideas on how it can be made more discoverable to the user. These suggestions build on top of the existing logic and don't try to change it much.

Case 1. Making a length constraint on a non-horizontal/vertical) line:

 

It is not clear that one must click at this stage, to enable a length constraint. The extended cursor graphic may or may not be aligned in the way that it makes sense for the user (to me it didn't - it happens to point away from the line, not along it).

Aligning the cursor extra would be too much work. Making it either vertical or horizontal might work better.

A tooltip (which doesn't exist at this stage, currently) could help. "Click to choose a length constraint. Move cursor outside of the line's bounding box to choose component constraint."

When clicking, the form should change immediately to show the length constraint.

Currently, there is a stage like this (that should go, imho). 

 

Case 2. Making a component constraint on a non-horizontal/vertical) line:

No problems here.

 

Case 3. Making a length constraint on a horizontal or vertical line:

I'm slightly of the opinion that this should create a component constraint instead of the length constraint that it currently creates.

If it creates a length constraint, the extended cursor (shown above) should be shown after selecting the line, but before moving the cursor. This is simply a visual cue to make the user feel the line behaves the same as diagonal lines do. Currently, they don't.

Removal of a constraint

While in 'Sketch > Dimensions' or 'Sketch > Constraints' modes, and the mode is waiting for an object to be selected, a click outside of any objects should end the mode.

Currently, it doesn't and one needs to press 'esc' to get back to regular Sketch mode.

Is there a specific reason for this? If not, I suggest both click and esc should end the mode. 

To emphasize with a use case: 

The reason why I wasn't able to move my sketch objects around was probably that I had gotten "stuck" in a Constraints mode. Unless one 'pins' the particular icons on the Bar, there is no clear visual indication in which mode one is. Only, things work differently than they did - just a moment ago. It's confusing.

There should be a 'safe' base mode where pressing Esc multiple times (already works) or clicking wildly on uninhabited area would bring one. 🙂

Btw, it is perfectly fine this 'safe' base mode is Sketch, since the Bar so clearly indicates Sketch mode is on, and 'Stop Sketch' is there as a friendly, big green tick.