The Cursor Tool Can Replace Custom Orientations
I'm proposing removing a feature from Blender. (.:GHASP!:. I know)
With the recent improvements to the cursor tool (snapping, axis alignment, dragging, etc.) there is starting to be a little bit of overlap with the custom orientation tool. Let's drive the last nail in the coffin of custom orientations and merge these tools for good. The end result will be a more intuitive and streamlined workflow.
My proposal adds 3 new features to the 3d Cursor top bar. Editable location (this can be removed from the N panel since it is redundant to have it in both places), editable rotation (this currently can't be done), and storable presets. This will work just like the custom orientations without having a separate interface hidden away from the user, giving us more discoverability, a paired down interface, and as said before, a more streamlined workflow. This means the custom orientations can also be removed from the N panel.
It might also be nice to have a dropdown for the shift+S snap menu items that relate to the cursor; namely Cursor to Selected, Cursor to Center, Cursor to Grid, Cursor to Active, Slection to Cursor, and Selection to Cursor (Offset).
2 Comments
The main goal of this task is to streamline the interface and require less concepts to learn when switching to Blender from another 3d package. It also introduces new users to the power of the 3d cursor. If someone googles how to do custom orientations (a common concept in 3d software) they will learn that they need to use the cursor (a unique feature of blender) and have a new world of 3d power unravel before their eyes (maybe a slight exaggeration).
Then there's that fact that the often requested features of storing preset cursor locations, and manually adjusting cursor rotation would be addressed while also addressing 2.8's current lack of custom orientations. It would be easy to implement a solution these regular requests since, at the same time, you will be addressing a core need.
sounds, great, i would add "memory cursor", so a mode for the objects to remember the cursors position in relationship to them. So you can use the 3D cursor as a secondary pivot for objects, this would make rigging more advanced by not adding but subtracting complexity.