audacity / audacity/audacity

Tools - Select-Move - Consider adding new tool

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bug
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C++
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Description

### Bug description

I know a lot of effort was put into the eliminating of tools, but I personally feel that there are some possible issues with some tools being removed.

For now I will start out with the main one that I was hoping would be reconsidered.
This post will be a little difficult because I have other suggestions that would work along with this suggestion but I will have to avoid mentioning in this post for clarity purposes.

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`ENVELOPE TOOL OBSERVATION`
The tools have been narrowed down to the `Envelope` and `Split` tools. I obviously do not have inside information about this project so some of this might not be accurate.
I have heard that the `Envelope` when added, will just be an on/off switch. I have also heard that "Automation" will eventually be added as well (which is great).
To me, when "Automation" is added, this would eliminate the need for the `Envelope` tool from being an icon in the toolbar because it is in essence I believe an automation of volume (unless this is going to be programmed differently then automation?).
I imagine automation capabilities are going be made available on a per track basis, so I say all of this because if the goal is to remove icons from toolbar, maybe `Envelope` icon will be eliminated in the future. So there might be 3 tool icons for now, but eventually `Envelope` tool might be moved into each track.

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`SOME ISSUES WITH HEADER SELECT/MOVE`
-If have to move many items around during editing, arranging, etc., having to focus in/move mouse cursor into little header section over and over to select/move clips can be an issue. It is like moving a whole bunch of little windows around your screen.
-If track/clip vertical heights are increased very tall, user might have to move mouse very far up to get to the header of that clip.
-When clips widths are very narrow, all that can be seen sometimes is the 3 dots icon, making moving an issue (have to zoom in).
-Most of these could also be viewed as an accessibility issue to some users as well, which hopefully this suggestion will be able to help with.

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`SELECT/MOVE TOOL SUGGESTION`
-First off the idea of adding headers to clips to select/move them is really great and I think should obviously remain as is.
User would technically not have to even use this `Select/Move` tool if they do not want to.
-I am suggesting to add a `Select/Move` tool back into the tools section of toolbar.
-Would allow clip selection/moving to be achieved when mouse is anywhere within a clip, so there is a bigger area to perform this action.
-Same functionality as clip header currently offers
LMB click = select clip(s)
LMB click and hold = move clip(s)
-This tool could also allow for a selection rectangle/rubberband style selection tool to select multiple clips at the same time, which is currently not available (that I know of).
-(I have other suggestions about this but for now) this would be similar to how the `Split Tool` functions. Where the tool would be a toggle on/off showing change in background color of the button/icon and cursor would change to hand/grip cursor
to let user know tool is currently activated.
(If really do not want an extra toolbar button for this, this tool could also just be offered in shortcuts with mouse cursor change for indicator)
-(This will probably not be agree with, I have other ideas about this also) When this tool is activated, I would also suggest that the entire LEFT and RIGHT sides of the clip would change the mouse cursor to clip stretch mode (time stretch is probably not something that is used often enough by most users to see icon for this all the time).

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I will stop here for now
I know this project has a lot going on right now, but if any developers would be willing to give me an idea if this would or would not be considered to be added, I would really appreciate it.
It is okay if this is not agreed with/accepted but it would just be nice to know either way.

Thank you to anyone who reads this and for any information offered

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

The issue names the Select/Move, Envelope, and Split tools, but provides no files, tests, or entry points. First review the current toolbar tools and clip interaction behavior, then confirm the desired scope with maintainers; done would require an agreed design for selection, moving, and optional rectangle selection.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
cpp
Domain
accessibility, design, desktop
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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