Layers and other panels should be more like a spreadsheets tables

In Rhino, Layers, Block Definitions, Attribute User Text and other panels should function more like filterable tables in Excel or Google Docs.

Many other programs utilize searchable tables, especially when we deal with a lot of data, such as in ProjectWise or Unreal Engine with its Property Matrix, which I mentioned in another thread. This is not an original approach and is probably implemented in hundreds of different programs.

It allows for better filtering based on different values, makes it easier to browse and mass change some values ​​- there are only advantages in such approach.
Some panels, such as the Materials panel, despite the potentially large amount of information to be displayed in the form of a table, as well as the existing tag system, do not have the simplest table at all that would allow viewing and changing data.

A unified table system in panels would really make editing often large and complex documents easier. It would be a relief to know that I can search or filter through the list of materials in the same way as Attribute User Text, Block Definitions, or Layers.

Further development of this system would be to allow users to add custom-scripted columns. Creating such columns is possible, for example, in the irreplaceable Directory Opus.

For most Rhino users one of its biggest advantages is Command Line, which allows them to perform actions instantly, without going into any menus, or submenus. Tables have a similar advantage, information that we may need for filtering, sorting, and searching is available in a flat UI without going deep into menus.

Easier data browsing means easier finding your way in the BIM world.

At least a few Rhino Panels would benefit from having more filtering options. Sometimes they store A LOT of data.

Excel spreadsheet table filtering

ProjectWise easily accessible search and filtering for every column

Directory Opus custom user-scripted column


I touched on the Property Matrix in another thread.

I also mentioned the advantages of Flat List in Directory Opus.

An important issue is that having multiple Layers Panel (small docked and big floating) is difficult due to lost customization after restarting Rhino

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This is such a great idea and thanks for the detailed post. I too have asked for this many times since Rhino V2. The block manager plugin I made for V3 had a spreadsheet tab to manage blocks and allow user input of fields.

McNeel probably doesn’t want to spend the money though it would be minimal for a third party tool that they would have to license. I looked into getting a spreadsheet tool that I could attach to my code and use, it’s not that expensive.

Also I wish that Rhino could have some kind of direct link to excel because Excel works so well and has easy customization. I tried with csv files, it’s not instant but a Rhino link would solve that. If we had a direct link we could select objects and hit a go button and the info would end up in excel, though that would need some coding in excel by Mcneel, it would have many advantages.

A link would not have to list or monitor Rhino which would make it stream lined. A user would query Rhino when needed and Rhino would only have to supply minimal info to Excel. In my plugin many other properties in Excel were derived from minimal Rhino csv files. Once I knew the dimensions of an object I could in Excel derive their other values like volume and surface area and have that linked to cost columns, for area, and to types of finishes I could change the dimensions and send that change back to rhino though this meant rebuilding the object but was fast.

I know this can be done in GH but what a pain and that’s not optimal because now you have 3 interfaces and to be honest excel or a spreadsheet is so much more user friendly for doing many things. I’m saddened that Mcneel doesn’t listen to user requests and supplies their loyal community with many things we never ask for. Spreadsheets instead of panels would open up so much for Rhino. To me most of Rhino looks like a beginner interface using VB, even the dialogs and tabs and user input is so windows out of the box thinking with no input from the developers that a spreadsheet tool is most likely too much for them to do properly.
RM