Suggestions to make the smart tools smarter

Cakewalk, a couple of suggestions to make the smart tools smarter in the midi editor:
 
 
1) Clicking and dragging with the pencil tool is a mess as it inserts a close row of notes, this isn't particularly useful, worse in other DAW's this drag behavior is used for other things so it can be dis-orientating to draw like that. Requesting this behavior be changed to clicking and dragging while the mouse button is still down stretches the inserted note to the length specified by the drag. This offers an additional way of inserting long notes without having to change tools or change note values.
 
2) Clicking on the edge of a note with the draw tool uses glue, which isn't overly useful. Glue is used for connecting multiple notes on the same pitch class... instead why not use the edge of the note for extending the note length (with the draw tool). This means a user can insert notes, alter note length and erase notes with the single tool - which is the primary functions that would be used for the draw tool. Change the glue function to a modifier like shift or ctrl, where it can be still accessed but has a lesser function to something that would be used more commonly.
 
3) When you insert a note with the smart tool via double clicking, the play-head moves to the position that was clicked. I presume this is because a single click moves the play-head and a double click is always preceded by a single click. Suggesting either add a time check to determine if a user is double clicking before moving, or give a user the option of 'clicking in blank space does not move the play-head'. This could be convenient, especially in arrange view.
 
4) Please bring back the customization options of the tools like in 8.5. I love having a single tool setup to handle 80 percent of functions in the way I think. I know Cakewalk R&D designed their tools to suit they way they think is a good approach, but many users will approach a situation differently, with different experience and ways of thinking. Let us decide what is best instead of forcing a way of working.
Remember, being 'smart' is not just about initially appears to be a good way of doing things, its about intelligence; being able to adapt when different situations arise and allow flexibility in that adaptation.
If anyone else has any suggestions or ideas regarding making tools smarter please post and discuss!
 
Cheers.

4) Please bring back the customization options of the tools like in 8.5. I love having a single tool setup to handle 80 percent of functions in the way I think

Er, the Smart Tool does everything the old 8.5 tool does and a lot more besides

instead why not use the edge of the note for extending the note length

Er, it already does this

I think you're right, but he did say "smart tool".
 
The Sine/Triangle/Square/Saw/Random tools should be separate because they're for automation not drawing in PRV.
 
Steve

To slip edit tracks grab the edges with the smart tool and drag.

To edit automation click middle mouse button and select the envelope from the edit filter in the HUD, but I prefer to shift + left click on the envelope. 

Mouse only is too slow. Key shortcuts are your friends- get to know them.

Before one comments on features it would be nice if the one commenting knows how the features works. 

This whole thread is a case of not reading the manual. 

The OP mistakes the draw tool for the smart tool. Now the above post is asking a fundamental question about something that is well documented. 

I know many are adverse to reading about the DAW they use but it really looks rather dumb to make statements based on ignorance. 

Harsh, sorry, but how long has this been going on? 

Garry,

You need to turn on the Magnetic Strength option for the Snap feature. That will allow you keep Snap on and also move freely. In SONAR, choose Edit > Preferences (or press P). Then choose the Advanced option at the bottom of the dialog box. Then choose the Customization > Snap and Nudge category. Then in the Snap section, set the Magnetic Strength to something other than Off... the default is Med (Medium).

Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
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Good man Scott - I have always had that turned off from the Word go.
Thanks.


Garry

I wouldn't bother.... Mr. Mike you asked a question (loaded apparently) I gave you an answer which you ignored and then went on to ask even more questions that only indicate to me you have little idea how the smart tool or X1 works.

It seems simple to me, if like myself and others you don't find the new way, an improvement then either carry on using a previous version or move on. Life's too short to whine on a forum about something like that.

If lifting a hand to a keyboard, which is something you have to do in just about any program to do almost anything, is too much effort then anything suggested on here isn't going to be much help. 

FastBikerBoy


I wouldn't bother.... Mr. Mike you asked a question (loaded apparently) I gave you an answer which you ignored and then went on to ask even more questions that only indicate to me you have little idea how the smart tool or X1 works.

It seems simple to me, if like myself and others you don't find the new way, an improvement then either carry on using a previous version or move on. Life's too short to whine on a forum about something like that.

If lifting a hand to a keyboard, which is something you have to do in just about any program to do almost anything, is too much effort then anything suggested on here isn't going to be much help. 

Yet people here still have the right to have requests, wishes, complaints or suggestions - these requests don't sound outlandish to me whether they are adopted or not. Mr. Mike quite clearly addressed you in his response and I can see why he finds your suggestions to be more time consuming than he and likely others like the OP would like. As one still sitting on the fence over whether to upgrade or not these issues do interest me. Just because you find the new way an improvement doesn't mean I will, although maybe I will. To suggest someone should just go back to the old software despite the fact they have already purchased the new sofware is neither fair nor realistic. And please, no "should have tried before you bought" stuff...we both know that any serious musician  will never uncover all the shortcomings of a program in demo mode. Do you think he can get a refund? If not then he has the right to whine all he wants.
 
Lifting a hand to a keyboard is not a big deal, no more than taking -a- step. How many steps does it take to climb Everest?

John


Your comment Stoons is odd for in reality you have no way to judge if you don't have X1 or read the manual or done even a little home work about it. 

OK, so two questions. What comment was odd and why? I did make several. Second, on what basis are you suggesting I have not done even a little homework concerning X1?
 
That's the last time I'm buying generic tin foil for my hat!

Bristol_Jonesey, I agree it does handle most functionality, however the moving of the time cursor when double clicking is one thing that I always awkward. In 8.5 you can create basically the same tool that doesn't move this; hence my point three. Though an option for controlling this globally (clicking in blank space moves time cursor) similar to Studio One could be beneficial in both the midi editor and arrange view.

In addition to the above it also shows an ignorance on how 8.5 worked as modifiers were also used with that.

It's a relatively simple concept. There's a limit to the number of functions that can be assigned to 3 mouse buttons, modifiers increase that limit. How that can be a bad thing mystifies me.....

Wow. The arrogance. I understand the tools. I really do. I'll try and explain this as calmly as I can. 

In 8.5 I can edit all my envelopes, slip edit the track, move the track, do anything I need to do without any center clicking, shift clicking or any other nonsense. I can do it in the dark. I can do it on the fly with the music playing. This type of editing is something I do a lot of. Quite frankly, I hate it. My least favorite but essential task. 

To edit a typical 4 envelope track I have to shift click edit, shift click edit etc. My question to you is simply, how is this better? Some of you have made sport of me. Insinuating I don't understand the tools. Perhaps I need to read the manual.

I keep complaining because I feel I'm right. The tools are not better. They made them stupid proof. I don't need that. If you guys need the program to babysit your editing skills, fine. I don't. I want the old tools back. At lest give me a box I can check.

I'd like to use X1. I paid for it and some of the changes make a lot of sense and now that I'm used to it, the interface is better. I'm not as gaga over the Pro Channel as you boys are but I chalk that up to fanboi-ism. Seriously, it's not that good. Any UAD vst is better.

And now a word to the general attitude of the forum and the people that frequent it. It's mean. And arrogant. Because of the things I mentioned, X1 does not fill my needs. And yet, because I have a 20 year history, I really want it to. When I express these concerns, I'm attacked. It's been insinuated several times that I'm stupid. I assure you, I'm not. And I have read the manual.

In anticipation of the next round of insults. I will continue to use 8.5 which I regard as mostly superior to X1. I'll also continue to monitor this forum because it amuses me. In typical forum fashion, I expect you to pick up the one thing you can make a slight and misguided arugment against and reply. Go for it dood.

And John, gee whiz, you are the worst of the bunch. Post some music. I'd like to witness your genius. After you, I'll do the same. Full disclosure.

Oops... didn't realize this was a flamewar. Ignore my post. It was merely intended as drunken humor.