"+NEW" button in modifiers that can use empties
Most modifiers can use the location of an object to control them. Since it is annoying setting this up every time, add a +NEW button in the object field that automatically places a plain axis empty at the origin of the modified object (the original origin is generally the zero point) and automatically links that object in the slot. It would be a really quick, nice addition that would improve the quality of life of the modifiers.
This would not remove or replace any previous features, it would just add a really nice tool. The searching and pipette options would remain in case you wanted to use an existing object, or something other than an empty etc.
9 Comments
I like the proposal and I know this came up in different versions here on rcs. I just want to mention that, for now, the Modifier List addon offers this functionality github.com/Symstract/modifier_list
Yes absolutely, It should create an empty with the name: <object name>_empty instantly, very helpful to get rid of the tedious and boring practice of first creating empty and then adjust its position for each modifier like bend array etc.
Mockup:
{attachment mockup}
* @-L0Lock- * Exactly, except most likely not for the armature modifier. Armature is one of those modifiers that you most often use after you have already made the armature. More like for modifiers such as mirror object, array offset object, wave, etc. I would also like this for geometry nodes, as a lot of my nodetrees directly input an object.
I actually really like your design, because it leaves the text box. My idea was to cover it and have a dropdown that lets you search, but yours makes a whole lot more sense.
* @zorro.weaver * to be honest I just took the first modifier with object target i saw in the list without any further thinking, just to get the mockup done.
As for the design, I tried to mimic the image dropdown/new/open widgets design, but adapted to objects and compact enough to not clutter the ui which can be already harsh on some modifiers.
* @-L0Lock- * I understand that, I just wanted to be clear to other people.
* @zorro.weaver * aw (o゜▽゜)o☆
* @-L0Lock- * Yes, I think it makes a lot of sense that the "+" is where the "x" is to unlink after creating, if you know what I mean.
But then the pipette has to be moved... Don't know if that's a good thing or if it will be confusing?
* @zorro.weaver * well it's just moved slightly on the side, not a big change IMHO.