Curvature Shapes

The Curvature shape is a shape created by interpolating a sequence of points using the smooth curvature method, similar to the curvature tool.

The Curvature shape is non-destructive and the points remain editable with the Node tool, and the curvature detail and resulting segment degree can be selected in the Shapes panel. To create actual curves from the shape, use the Convert to Curves command.

Drawing Curvature Shapes

Curvature shapes can be drawn using the Curvature tool from the application toolbox:

• Select the Curvature tool from the toolbox.
• Click with the mouse to place the first point of the shape.
• Move the mouse to the position of the next point and click+drag to place the next point.
• Repeat the above point placement sequence using the tool.
• The points will be interpolated using the smooth curvature method.
• The detail of the interpolation can be set in the Shapes panel.

The Curvature shape is a non-destructive shape where the interpolated points and the interpolation detail can be changed by the user at any time.

Editing Curvature Shapes

The Node tool can be used to interactively edit the points of the Curvature shape:

• Select the object with a Curvature shape.
• Select the Node tool from the application toolbox.
• The points of the shape and lines connecting these points are shown as an indicator.
• Drag the shape points in a similar way as when editing paths.
• To insert a new point, click on the inner part of a line connecting two points and press the Plus key.
• To remove a point, select the point with the node tool and press the Delete key.

Curvature Shape Properties

The properties of the Curvature shape can be edited in the Shape panel when the shape is selected, or in the Curvature Shape view, either from the shape panel, or when editing a shape style.

The following properties can be modified for an Curvature shape:

• Detail - Set the level of detail used to approximate a smooth curvature. Higher level detail result in smoother curves, but they may be slower.
• Quadratic - Check to generate quadratic segments when converting this shape to curves.