T
Teemu Paavolainen
Description:
Add spatial, direction-aware clip navigation so “Next/Previous Clip” can be targeted by
Up/Down/Left/Right
(and diagonals), with predictable nearest-neighbor logic across the canvas.
Problem:
“Next/Previous Clip” currently follows a single implicit order, which can feel arbitrary on freeform canvases. On controllers (D-pads, footswitch pairs) performers expect focus to move
visually
—to the clip above, below, left, or right—without skipping or jumping unpredictably.
Proposed Solution:
  • New Actions:
    Select Clip Up/Down/Left/Right
    ,
    Select Diagonal (↖/↗/↘/↙)
    ,
    Launch Selected Clip
    ,
    Arm Selected Clip
    .
  • Neighbor Logic:
    Choose
    nearest center
    in the requested direction; tie-break by minimal angle then distance. Options:
    Row/Column strict
    ,
    8-way free
    ,
    Include diagonals
    .
  • Scopes & Filters:
    Limit to
    same color
    ,
    same group/tag
    ,
    visible only
    ,
    armed only
    ; option to
    skip muted/disabled
    clips.
  • Wrap & Walls:
    Per action:
    wrap around
    ,
    stop at edge
    , or
    snap to next row/column
    .
  • Custom Orders:
    Optional
    Navigation Order
    (Tab Order) editor for hand-tuned paths; actions to
    Next/Prev in Custom Order
    .
  • Feedback & Safety:
    Focus ring highlight; HUD shows
    Row x • Col y • Name
    ; fully undo-safe and non-destructive.
  • Variables:
    selectedClipId
    ,
    nav.row
    ,
    nav.col
    ,
    nav.orderIndex
    ,
    clipX/clipY
    for labels, conditions, and OSC.
Benefits:
  • Controller-friendly, predictable movement that matches what you see on the canvas.
  • Faster, safer launching/arming in dense layouts.
  • Flexible for both grid-like and freeform pages via filters and custom paths.
Examples:
  • Map a D-pad: ↑/↓/←/→ move selection; a central button
    launches the selected clip
    at quantization.
  • Hold a modifier for
    Row-only
    navigation; another to
    wrap
    at edges.
  • Footswitches step
    Right
    through a row of drum clips; a long-press jumps
    Down
    to the next row.
  • Use a
    Custom Navigation Order
    for a medley so
    Next
    follows your performance path while still allowing directional jumps when needed.
This summary was automatically generated by GPT-5 Thinking on 2025-09-14.
Original Post:
Choosing "Next Clip" direction
Currently, choosing "Next Clip" means going left to right, top to bottom. Sometimes, it might be useful to proceed from the bottom row upward, and why not right to left for that matter: think of having three bass scenes or sections on the bottom row, and higher pitched instruments on their own rows above – and wanting to record in that order by just selecting Next. So that could be a choice worth considering?