Testing this out, Tab works fine as expected for a notes feature when it’s floating. When it’s docked it doesn’t and it jumps to another panel. Having Tab not work would just be strange and not expected especially since Tab actually works in the space to write text in both Text: Simple & Rich filters.
It would make sense to have Notes floating as a default since anyone who writes Notes on any kind of app would usually have a simple Notes app floating. The equivalent feature in Resolve has it floating and in fact cannot be docked.
I cannot think of an alternative unless that is to change the shortcut keys to jump to another panel. Maybe Tab could be used to just move around the one panel you are on and pressing Ctrl with Alt then the corresponding number of a panel would actually switch to that panel. Or have it that when you press the shortcut key for a panel, instead of it just closing if it’s up even if the focus is not on it, it will close it only after it’s been selected. So if you have the Markers panel open but the focus is not on it, pressing Ctrl+Shift+6 will put the focus on it. Then pressing Ctrl+Shift+6 after the focus is on it will close it.
Another thing I want to suggest is to change the spot of the Notes icon and with that its shortcut key. It’s strange to have that as the last icon on the list. Maybe like after the Recent icon since if someone has Notes for a project that they are opening again then they would probably want to look at their notes before starting again or before the History icon.
Maybe so, if they are thought of like a sticky note ala Windows 10/11 and macOS sticky note apps.
its shortcut key
It’s strange to have that as the last icon
I would not call it strange as there is no strong meaning to the order. However, I can agree to move it to after Recent as it could be perceived as related to (project) Properties or perhaps Recent from a workflow perspective as you pointed out. The problem I have with its current keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+0 is that A) it is not working for me on Windows for some reason, and B) it does rather anchor this as the last panel in list by keeping the current shortcuts convention. It appears that we are heading into the direction of alternating Ctrl and Ctrl+Shift plus number, as panels are added.
I’m surprised to see the beta for the next version today because the discussion on the Notes feature made me expect a follow up from where it was last left off:
I think the beta process is a good way to elicit feedback from a wider audience before making many changes. These are things that are easy to change with low risk of regression. I like to see discussion from many people before making changes so that I don’t spend my time changing things back and forth.