Objectmodus

Objectmodus is a term used in theoretical discussions of modeling and interaction design to describe a mode in which software, tools, or interfaces treat entities as discrete, persistent objects rather than as stateless primitives or command sequences. In objectmodus, objects carry identity, state, and behavior, and user actions are interpreted as operations on those objects rather than as edits to isolated attributes.

Derived from object and modus (Latin for mode or method), objectmodus is used primarily in discussions about user experience, programming models, and data modeling. It is not a formal standard but a conceptual lens for comparing interaction paradigms.

Key characteristics include encapsulation of data and operations, object centric selection and manipulation, and interfaces built around object inspectors, properties, and context-aware actions. The paradigm supports undo/redo at the object level, and enables composition by combining objects into higher-level constructs.

In 3D modeling and graphic design tools, objectmodus appears as an operating mode where the primary actions apply to whole entities (move, rotate, scale, duplicate) rather than to construction primitives. In software modeling and databases, it guides how entities are created, related, and persisted.

Critics note that objectmodus can obscure low-level control and may introduce unnecessary indirection for simple tasks. It is often discussed alongside alternative modes such as primitive-mode, command-mode, or attribute-focused editing.