Navigation controls for the properties dialogs

[jsbueno]

Hi Folks and poeple at Sparx -

One simple feature that I think could vastly improve the user experience in EA is adding simple navigation controls to the properties dialog.

The  properties dialog is the way one has to look at the artifacts in the model - the natural way of looking at them.  As the interface is today, if I have a list of elements on the Project Browser and want to quickluy open then in sequence in order to get familiarized with the contents of the package - or perhaps even for updating some propertie in all of then like Phase or Version, I have to:
1) double click on the element in the project browser
2) Do whatver I want in the properties dialog
3) Close the properties dialog (clicking on Ok or Cancel)
4) double click on the next element in the project browser

--Step (3) is cumbersome and needless froma  user point of view. Step (4) could be allright if it could be done with the dialog still open

Now, if the properties dialog would simply feature four navigation buttons for "next, previous, up one level, down one level" actions that would navigate on the project window, this would be easier.

Some few usability tests could determien what would be teh best option for when there are changes on the artifact: either an "apply" button that would enable the navigation buttons, (thus they would be disabled on any chanegs to the artifact), or a small checkbox with an "auto apply changes"  - or some other unobtrusive  way.

What do you think of that?

[Thelonius]

Great idea.

EA is a great tool, but needs some fresh eyes to review certain aspects of the UI -- an example of which you have identified.

It could be so. much. better.