you know that when you select/highlight a track all open/visible plugin editors (GUIs) are automatically brought to the top--but not to always on top--don't you?
The idea was the following:
I open the GUI of some plugins that are in a bus or track, and they stay always on top even if I click mute or solo on on track or activate/deactivate a plugin in a bus or track.
I don't know if that's possible in Qtractor or if this can only be done by the window manager.
but quite experimental still, qtractor >= 1.6.1.2git.faaaf1 [develop]
byee
ps. it should work for all plugin types but DSSI and (legacy) LV2 External UIs.
otoh. as said, I really don't think this is going to be a good option, the screen might get cluttered to no avail with the plugins GUIs somehow (good for marketing screenshots though, but nothing else, your call now ;))
For example, the options window, track properties, etc., remain buried in the bottom, sometimes not even visible, and they should jump to the foreground. It's disconcerting; it's like you launch the window and it doesn't open.
For me, the ideal behavior would be identical to setting the Main window to "Always on bottom."
The drawback of doing this with the window manager is twofold: 1) you have to do it every time you open the program, and 2) if you open windows from other programs, it becomes confusing to bring Qtractor back to the foreground.
On the other hand, as @bluebell points out, it's an option; it might not be so confusing for other people and could be useful.
I played a bit around and it's great. I don't see the danger of cluttered windows because you can always minimize the plugin windows or uncheck that box if it bothers you.
But as you know „l'appétit vient en mangeant“:
Would it be possible to include
standard properties windows, especially for LADSPA, but it wouldn't hurt for LV2 (Airwindows plugins have no own GUI)
pseudo plugins (aux, insert)
?
Of course there are no additional checkboxes needed because they are all plugins.
In this case the mixer window is also always on top. Clicking the main window doesn't put it on top when "Keep tool windows always on top" is checked. So that doesn't fit into my workflow.
As you wrote it doesn't work on DSSI plugins (like Hexter). But that's no big problem. Those cases can be handled by the window manager (ALT F12 on xfce4).
If it were possible to keep the "Properties/Options" windows (those that prevent interaction with the rest of the program until an option is accepted or rejected) on top of everything else... that would be perfect.
These types of forms should always appear in the foreground, above everything else, precisely because they prevent interaction with the rest of the program until a decision is made. If they are buried behind a plugin window, the plugin won't be able to close either.
Except for the exceptions mentioned (DSSI...), for me, this configuration is what I expected:
Keep Main "Always bottom" from the window manager (as long as you don't have other programs open)
Keep tool windows always on top: off
Keep plugin editors (GUI) always on top: on
I consider this an improvement over not having the option.
P.S
Other DAWs circumvent the window management problem by integrating tools and editors (MIDI, Mixer, etc.) into the main window.
But that's not how Qtractor is designed.
Everything has its pros and cons.
If you have multiple monitors, the Qtractor design is more suitable.
I see. I can't use drumkv1's X11 Native UI because of the keyboard focus bug of some lv2 plugins in Qt hosts.
It happens not only on my oldish computers but also on a Debian Trixie.
But this is no big problem.
I think the option "Keep plugin editors (GUI) always on top" should be kept and moved to main.
it is now merged+squashed to main: qtractor >= v1.6.1.3git.4ab85a
IMPORTANT: some interim commits have been squashed back to develop branch as well; so that you most probably need to do the following at least once: git switch develop git reset --hard origin/develop
re. Keep plugin windows always on top
I miss that option too.
Those of us using XFCE can set the main window to "Always Down." It's not the same, but it helps.
Another workaround
In XFCE4: <alt>F12
toggles "always on top". But it would be helpful if Qtractor enforced it as a configurable option.
Certainly
Certainly
re. Keep plugin windows always on top...
you know that when you select/highlight a track all open/visible plugin editors (GUIs) are automatically brought to the top--but not to always on top--don't you?
I don't get it
The idea was the following:
I open the GUI of some plugins that are in a bus or track, and they stay always on top even if I click mute or solo on on track or activate/deactivate a plugin in a bus or track.
I don't know if that's possible in Qtractor or if this can only be done by the window manager.
re. I don't get it...
yes it's possible but as said it was deemed DOA long ago :)
byee
re. Keep plugin windows always on top...
for your pleasure,
but quite experimental still, qtractor >= 1.6.1.2git.faaaf1 [develop]
byee
ps. it should work for all plugin types but DSSI and (legacy) LV2 External UIs.
otoh. as said, I really don't think this is going to be a good option, the screen might get cluttered to no avail with the plugins GUIs somehow (good for marketing screenshots though, but nothing else, your call now ;))
re. qtractor >= 1.6.1.2git.faaaf1 [develop]
I think the behavior is a bit confusing.
For example, the options window, track properties, etc., remain buried in the bottom, sometimes not even visible, and they should jump to the foreground. It's disconcerting; it's like you launch the window and it doesn't open.
For me, the ideal behavior would be identical to setting the Main window to "Always on bottom."
The drawback of doing this with the window manager is twofold: 1) you have to do it every time you open the program, and 2) if you open windows from other programs, it becomes confusing to bring Qtractor back to the foreground.
On the other hand, as @bluebell points out, it's an option; it might not be so confusing for other people and could be useful.
Great
I played a bit around and it's great. I don't see the danger of cluttered windows because you can always minimize the plugin windows or uncheck that box if it bothers you.
But as you know „l'appétit vient en mangeant“:
Would it be possible to include
?
Of course there are no additional checkboxes needed because they are all plugins.
re. [plugin] properties windows...
all these were also kept always on top provided the "Keep tool windows always on top" option is up.
byee
But mixer window, too
In this case the mixer window is also always on top. Clicking the main window doesn't put it on top when "Keep tool windows always on top" is checked. So that doesn't fit into my workflow.
re1. [plugin] properties windows...
I regret to say that this is not what happens.
Mixer window / main window
My point was that the mixer window is then always on top and I cannot get the main window completely visible (on top).
re. Mixer window / main window...
let's see on qtractor >= 1.6.1.4git.d26b74
seeya
re². Mixer window / main window...
Works great.
As you wrote it doesn't work on DSSI plugins (like Hexter). But that's no big problem. Those cases can be handled by the window manager (ALT F12 on xfce4).
Thanks a lot.
re3. Mixer window / main window...
On: Options, Tools, and Plugins Always on Top
If it were possible to keep the "Properties/Options" windows (those that prevent interaction with the rest of the program until an option is accepted or rejected) on top of everything else... that would be perfect.
These types of forms should always appear in the foreground, above everything else, precisely because they prevent interaction with the rest of the program until a decision is made. If they are buried behind a plugin window, the plugin won't be able to close either.
re4. Mixer window / main window...
you of course have, if not The, a point!
and that is precisely the kind of trouble this new "Keep plugin windows always on top" option gets you into...
this is serious: actually the trouble is so bad for the whole UX that I'm considering to revert this whole new feature :(
sorry @bluebell
UPDATE: fixed in qtractor >= v1.6.1.6git.9c7905 [develop], so sorry again for stepping back and forward :)
re7. Mixer window / main window...
Except for the exceptions mentioned (DSSI...), for me, this configuration is what I expected:
I consider this an improvement over not having the option.
P.S
Other DAWs circumvent the window management problem by integrating tools and editors (MIDI, Mixer, etc.) into the main window.
But that's not how Qtractor is designed.
Everything has its pros and cons.
If you have multiple monitors, the Qtractor design is more suitable.
re5. Mixer window / main window...
Keep tool windows always on top: off
Keep plugin editors (GUI) always on top: on
That's strange.
re6. Mixer window / main window...
maybe not at all
DSSI and (legacy) LV2 External UIs are not supported; if drumkv1 is raised in the LV2 X11 Native UI it works.
byee
re8. Mixer window / main window...
I see. I can't use drumkv1's X11 Native UI because of the keyboard focus bug of some lv2 plugins in Qt hosts.
It happens not only on my oldish computers but also on a Debian Trixie.
But this is no big problem.
I think the option "Keep plugin editors (GUI) always on top" should be kept and moved to main.
re. re. Keep plugin windows always on top [main]
done.
it is now merged+squashed to main: qtractor >= v1.6.1.3git.4ab85a
IMPORTANT: some interim commits have been squashed back to develop branch as well; so that you most probably need to do the following at least once:
git switch developgit reset --hard origin/develophyu. cheers
re.re. re. Keep plugin windows always on top [main]
Thanks a lot, Rui.
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