https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=488828
Bug ID: 488828
Summary: New WindowHeap layout not ready to replace existing
layouts (Natural, Closest)
Classification: Plasma
Product: kwin
Version: 6.1.0
Platform: Arch Linux
OS: Linux
Status: REPORTED
Severity: normal
Priority: NOR
Component: effects-window-management
Assignee: kwin-bugs-n...@kde.org
Reporter: breakingsp...@gmail.com
Target Milestone: ---
SUMMARY
Following https://invent.kde.org/plasma/kwin/-/merge_requests/4916 and 6.1
release, the "Natural" and "Closest" Windowheap layouts were replaced by a new
layout algorithm, intended to replace the need for user configuration. This is
further detailed in https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=450263
After using this new feature for a few hours, I strongly feel it is not ready
to replace the others, for two main reasons:
-Window placement
-Sizing
As stated by the developer at
https://invent.kde.org/plasma/kwin/-/issues/189#note_850281, this solution does
not take window positions into account, unlike the former Natural layout. This
is a preference of mine, I cannot follow the new algorithm's placements after a
few hours of testing. The 4-8 windows in each desktop will move much further
than before, it takes more mouse movement and time to chase them down.
Windows also shrink to roughly 75% the size they used to when in expo state
now. This is especially noticable on my 2nd monitor consisting entirely of
windows pinned to "All Desktops". In the former Natural layout, the pinned
windows would relax outwards very subtly in Overview, now they all shrink and
dart around to different placements, then snap back every time I engage the
Overview. VERY distracting.
--
There should be a choice between the existing options and the new layout,
defaulting to the new layout while feedback and improvements come in. This
would satisfy the requirement of new features not being off by default:
https://community.kde.org/Get_Involved/Design/Frequently_Discussed_Topics#New_off-by-default_features,
while giving users that do care about the sorting algorithm an option to fall
back.
Could I try to re-implement a drop-down and propose for a merge to add Natural
and Closest back alongside this new layout, or would it be declined at that
point? I don't mean any offense, but the new layout is simply not ready for the
prime time and I feel this should be addressed before 6.1 release reaches more
platforms. Noting that the RFC linked earlier states in places that the Natural
layout should probably be kept for the reason of window positioning.
STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. On Kwin 6.0.5, open 5 varying windows and hit Meta+W using default "Natural"
layout
2. Observe same behavior in 6.1 with new layout
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