Improved user experience when creating IOBoxes and Pads (including hotkeying)

yar · February 10, 2025, 1:07pm

I want to address an issue that affects all of us working with VVVV. One of the most typical and frequently encountered tasks is creating pads and boxes—essentially, our variables and input fields that we often use as intermediate nodes for connections. The problem is that their creation requires too many clicks and doesn’t take into account our natural hand movements.

Consider the typical scenario:
start link → Shift+Click → Delete → Enter
This sequence happens so often that every time you move your mouse, one hand is busy holding Shift, clicking, and then you have to take your hand off the mouse to press Delete before returning. Imagine how many times this repetitive action occurs in a day—it not only slows down your workflow but also leads to unnecessary fatigue.

As shown in the attached GIFs, creating and connecting a single pad requires at least five clicks, with additional clicks needed to correctly position the new element. An interesting point is the difference between using “Shift+Click” for pads and “Alt+Click” for IOBoxes.

Frankly, I don’t understand why this issue hasn’t received more attention. I’ve raised it several times on the forum, yet it seems most users have simply gotten used to this clunky ritual. Fixing this would be like slipping off a pair of tight shoes—it would instantly improve both comfort and efficiency.

Let’s discuss how we can simplify the process of creating pads and boxes, making our VVVV workflow smoother and more intuitive. Your experiences and ideas could significantly influence how we enhance the overall UX in this amazing tool.

Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts and suggestions!

It should not be regarded as a fine:

UIUX