Blender Version In Icon
What the problem
Blender has lot of version, new one comes frequently each few month. When you have lot of similar but different things you want to recognize difference somehow. Small version numbers in interface bottom bar is not enough.
In general - all Blenders called as same "blender.exe" with same icons and sometime it really make things harder.... (3 different Blender versions on next image).
What I propose
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To add verson numbers in to icon.
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Additionally (IMO such would be better) , change color each major version ( like 2.8X, 2.9X, 3.XX ). Some people may like this colors some not - it's subject for discussion.
As for me - with help of simple freeware utility Resource Hacker I changed icons for my self like on next pictures ( you can download my setup here ).
As always - thanks for reading. Also you can check my other suggestions .
15 Comments
I don't like the proposed solution, the icon becomes ugly and has poor readablity imo. I'd like the idea of different color scheme thou, for regular builds, for beta/alpha and for experimental branches
* @ Lsscpp * I used to set up a blue icon for daily versions, t'was nice.
Other software reuses their icons. What makes blender special?
I do think the program file should have the version in the name, but you want a recognizable icon that doesn't change colors every few months.
* @zorro.weaver * Did you have experience of using few different versions in same time?
Version in .exe file bad idea - some scripts, .bat files, etc. stuff may be oriented to search for blender.exe so if this .exe will change it's name all the time - it would be bad.
I have many versions of blender, but for some reason, it has not been a big problem for me. I always put them in a correctly named folder. It could be more useful to have a "blender launcher" that manages all of your blender versions, and can directly download and install from blender.org .
* @zorro.weaver * Here's a nice Blender Launcher
* @-L0Lock- * That is nice. Now that it is proven possible, it would be really nice if there was an official one.
* @zorro.weaver * None of Blender launcher still not solve identical icons of different versions on taskbar, when you can't tell which one is which. I just propose, you vote up or down. I already solved this issue for myself...
* @IIIFGIII *
That's not fair. The whole point of RCS is to flesh out your ideas, discuss them, find out if there is another way to solve them, and if it is even worth the devs to spend hard work and time. If you have already solved the problem yourself, why do you propose? Is it worth spending my time discussing this if I know it has been "already solved for yourself"?
* @zorro.weaver * Why? Because I'm experienced Blender user and if I have bad experience with this identical icons - someone else may have same too.. So maybe it would be good to solve this on development side. Is it so unclear?
* @IIIFGIII * Sorry I was a little harsh there. It just felt like you gave up instantly when I was just commenting on another way to tell the versions apart.
By the way, the blender launcher does solve telling different versions apart. They are numbered and very organized. In my opinion, an official blender launcher is the perfect solution to make blender versions easy not only for beginners but for all blender users. You should try out the 3rd party launcher @-L0Lock- suggested and see what I mean. {attachment Screenshot_1png}
* @zorro.weaver * How louncher solve identical icons on taskbar on in task manager or anywhere else.... What the hell you talking about. If I need to swich beetwen different blenders by cliking on application icon on taskbar - how the hell louncher would help me to click on right one?????? Do you aware of what I suggested here or you maybe miss something????????????
If you so good with your launcher - go use it and stop telling us here your long stories of "how much you don't need it at all"...
* @IIIFGIII * Woah, calm down. I'm sorry you don't like my suggestion. I was looking for the root of the problem, and finding a way to fix it. The root of the problem is that blender has frequent updates, and does not automatically update and replace the old version, like you said in the proposal:
Most programs combat this by having an automatic updater, that replaces the old file, saving space, time, and the annoyingness of having six-million installs of the program and having to tell them apart. I do not want blender to do this, as it would limit you, and especially when we start to lose backwards-compatibility, we still want to have an old install to be able to open our old files.
The other, more elegant solution would be to have a launcher that lets you manage your installs. The 3rd party one mentioned is very good, but I imagine an official one would be even better, it could even let you add your own icons. It would be like an upgraded taskbar.
The point is, with an official launcher, you wouldn't need to put all of your blenders on your taskbar, you would have a single app that lets you manage all of them.
* @zorro.weaver * Are you really so stupid? Aer you really don't understand reasons why people may need to use different versions in same time? And your dumb louncher, updates, etc. have nothing to do with this... Damn... just stop writing all this bullshit here. Go find something else to do... Please... I tired to reply to this.....
Aha and thank u kindly for making this suggestion -1.... Well done!!!!
Sometimes, people have no chill