One of the most important challenges I’ve had in mind working with Paragraphic is how to help new users get started and figure out what you can do (and how) with the software. I’ve worked a lot on interface features like warnings, tooltips and visual hints/feedback along with a brief “Getting started” introduction (with videos!) for this reason. However, I think an even more important way in will be sample files: Little Paragraphic-projects that you can look at and download and play with yourself to see what you can do and how.
You can take a first look at the sample files here:
In both Vectoraster and Paragraphic quite a large selection of sample files were included in the downloaded packages, but I’m not sure how frequently they were used. So this time I will try hosting the sample files on a part of the website instead for better visibility.
This will hopefully make the sample files more accessible, and also work as a sort of gallery where both new users and people interested in learning about the software can see what’s possible to do with it. The plan is to expand on this with time, perhaps with support for searching/filtering or even community-submitted projects.
Changes and improvements
UI/UX
- Added many hover tool tips for node parameters and other controls.
- You can now get a hover value slider range for value fields with indeterminate/mixed values, useful if you want to edit a value in multiple selected objects with different values for a property.
- You can now double-click layer to change to the path point select tool or repeater edit select tool when available.
OS integration
- You can now drag and drop files into the app window to open .pgdoc Paragraphic documents or import supported images.
- Some partial support for opening .pgdoc document opened from the OS file manager.
Distribution
- A first Sample files page on the website allows browsing and downloading Paragraphic .pgdoc files for inspiration.
- Per-platform download version management and update checking is now in place.
- License entry and checking systems are in place, with a new Trial mode active until a valid license has been entered and verified.