[gef-dev] Requirements for rulers in graphical editors

[Pratik Shah <ppshah@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Some initial requirements are listed
below.  I have posted them on the newsgroup as well.  Please
post any functionality requests, comments, etc. on the newsgroup.

==================================================================

We are going to start working on a new
feature: allowing rulers to be added 
to graphical editors.  Some of
the basic requirements that we have realized 
are listed below.  This is a call
to the community to request any other 
functionality that they may desire.

1) Clients should be able to add any
number of rulers along any of the edges 
   of a graphical editor.
(Priority: High)
        -
Rulers should be able to grow dynamically as needed (i.e., the case 
         
of a change in the width of a vertical ruler, or the height of a 
         
horizontal ruler, should be handled properly).
        -
Rulers must work properly with zoom.

2) A few default rulers should be provided
(rulers displaying grid spaces, 
   and possibly inches/centimeters,
etc.). (Priority: Medium)

3) Clients should be able to add markers
to rulers. (Priority: High)
        -
Markers should be able to associate themselves with figures in the 
         
editor.
        -
Markers should be able to contribute feedback/figures to the editor

4) Certain default markers should be
provided.  E.g., TODOs, guides for 
   aligning figures, etc.
(Priority: Medium)

5) End-users should be able to customize
the rulers. (Priority: High)
        -
Show/hide rulers (if the client allows it)
        -
Add markers (again, if the ruler/client allows it)

6) Clients should be able to contribute
actions/buttons for the dead space 
   between rulers, if there
is any.  (Priority: Low)
   NOTE: If there are rulers
to the north and west of an editor, dead space 
   would be the empty space
in the north-west corner.

Pratik Shah
Graphical Editing Framework (GEF)