The Common Aspects list was always slated to be the key feature of version 1.1 of x2y for Mac. I decided to ship 1.0 with two major features of the iOS version not yet included, in the interest of getting the product shipped within a reasonable time frame. (The other feature is iCloud sync, coming in version 1.2.) I figured I would need at least a week or two to tackle adding a sidebar and all the new learning that would involve, given this was the first Mac app I was coding myself.
Above all, I wanted to use standard controls as much as possible, as I wanted x2y to look like a native Mac app. That meant using a Source List, with the blurred translucent background, standard controls for showing and hiding, and a look that was similar to the built-in Sierra apps. If you compare x2y to the Notes app, you'll see where I drew my inspiration (minus the paper texture, of course).
One little detail I wanted to add that I'm particularly happy about: if you have typed in custom values for your x1 and y1 fields, the app automatically fills them in for you when you click the add ratio button. Just give the new ratio a name, and save. Or replace those values if you want to save a different ratio.
Having access to the ratios you use most often with one click has always been a feature that sets x2y apart from most other aspect ratio calculators. I'm glad I took a little extra time to make sure I got it right. There were some gotchas along the way that I hadn't anticipated. (nextKeyView was interesting, for instance. And drag and drop reordering of an outline view was an eye opener.) But it was a great learning experience.
Add NSSplitViewController and NSOutlineView to the growing list of classes with which I am now familiar.
I also added the option to customize the main toolbar of the app, including using large icons, if desired. That one was easier than I thought it would be.
I continue to be surprised at the ease with which I have translated my familiarity with iOS APIs to those in macOS. Apple has really made a good effort to make macOS development easier over the years.
x2y for Mac 1.1 is available now on the Mac App Store.
