Having learned blender first is likely why Vim was so appealing to me.
Blender's UI is so much better this way. The idea that the functionality of any professional software tool should be immediately visible is just silly. Photoshop, GIMP, Autocad, 3DS Max, Maya, etc. all follow that philosophy, and just end up with way too many buttons and menus for anyone to want to sift through. Blender shows functionality only where it is needed in the most beautiful modular system I have ever used.
Agreed. It felt really streamlined and the mental model felt instantly comfortable. If you want to rotate something you can select - rotate - fix axis - choose degree, all in a very programmatic way.
One thing I ran into was it seemed there are some shortcuts that are essential and basically wired to the number pad so I had to buy an external keyboard (and non trackpad mouse).
I haven't had time to get back to it again but I'm looking forward to sitting down and having another good play.
Edit I'm not super familiar with autocad but I make software for construction companies so I've seen it used a bit. You can do everything in a vim like command manner. I think it had a lisp prompt.
If you toggle `File -> User Preferences -> Input -> Emulate Numpad` you can have the usual number keys work like the numpad. I actually prefer it that way to so I can change the camera without having to move my hand all the way to the right of the keyboard.
> Edit I'm not super familiar with autocad but I make software for construction companies so I've seen it used a bit. You can do everything in a vim like command manner.
I'll admit, I'm even less familiar with AutoCAD. I really just assumed from my experience with every other AutoDesk software I have seen.
> I think it had a lisp prompt.
AFAIK, AutoLISP is still one of the most prevalent lisps.
Having learned vim first, I think these two comments have made me realize why it was so easy for me to pick up blender in the first place. I never even thought about it, but blender is indeed very "mode" like. I'm just so disgusted with the massive interference that the interfaces in maya and other programs cause. This comment thread makes me strangely happy.
I really wish that modal interfaces were more popular. Modal interfaces are a fantastic way to make complex (or even simple) systems accessible and usable.
There is an irrational fear of modal interfaces that is prolific in teaching software design. It seems like everyone has agreed that Caps Lock sucks, and therefore modal interface is inherently awful.
Blender's UI is so much better this way. The idea that the functionality of any professional software tool should be immediately visible is just silly. Photoshop, GIMP, Autocad, 3DS Max, Maya, etc. all follow that philosophy, and just end up with way too many buttons and menus for anyone to want to sift through. Blender shows functionality only where it is needed in the most beautiful modular system I have ever used.