@Boldline Yes, when cutting or breaking a path into multiple parts, it still remains a single object with a composite shape. So an additional Break Apart is needed to break it into separate objects.

@Boldline That should work, but it seems that in this case the gap is only applied between endings of open shapes. I opened a bug on this one.

@vectoradmin Maybe just a small tweak to the Scale Tool tip would suffice to explain. @encart Yes, that's exactly what I wanted to do. Thanks! I think I wrongly assumed looking at the toolbox icons, one was for linear gradients and the other for concentric gradients. So it was just down to my unfamiliarity with having both a 'Gradient shape editor tool' and a 'Gradient tool' available and not thinking to switch tools.

@Boldline it is the name of a compression scheme.

@Boldline @b77 At least here, the Separate Path still has some issues when dealing with this example. I try to fix this problem.

@Inspiredmac Use the 'Text-on-Path' tool from the toolbox to drag the text to the bottom of the oval. [image: 1641618229206-captura-de-ecran-din-2022-01-08-la-07.03.07.png] …. . . If you need it to read from left to right, in the 'Text on Path' panel (Panels > Text) you need to click the 'Check to reverse path direction' button at the bottom.

@b77 Thanks! That worked. Old Illustrator ways die hard in my brain! Almost everything you do to create blends, clipping masks, other effects, if it involves multiple individual items, it has to be a combined shape to do so. @vectoradmin It's awesome that it works without combining. I will be training my brain to not think about combining everything but it might be a good thing to add at some point with blend, repeater (for glyphs) etc...

@Inspiredmac Mac (Intel)

@Boldline Added this to the backlog.

@Boldline This should be working, and no need to convert to curves or combine. Once the repeater on the text is created, try unchecking the "Inside Shape" option in the panel menu.

@Ingolf Yes, this can be replicated, there is some issue with the Rigid Shapes option here.

@Boldline Yes, this can be replicated, added to the backlog. Manual updating should work (leftmost icon in the panel).

@Boldline It looks like if you add a shortcut with Option, you’ll get a composite object instead, so don’t use that if you want normal combine operation.

UPDATE: I think I found the issue - I was playing around with the second selection arrow - allowing me to move/transform members of a grouped item.... I had not put it back to the default. [image: 1640720988737-8fecfa5c-b5ea-48dc-b81c-88a28b6958b3-image.png] This probably also answers where the "scale by distributing mode" is located - my original question on this thread

@vectoradmin thanks

@vectoradmin said in Option to expand panels such as stroke panel for additional tools not always needed: I will add the above state also. Thanks for showing me that arrow feature! Yes if you can add the option for just the top info above what I highlighted, that would be a great addition

@vectoradmin ok thank you! I just need to remember it's in the "editing" panel. I had the same issue a year ago when I was always trying to find the history panel (same place) but now I always know where to look. thanks!

@vectoradmin perfect thanks! This is indeed quite essential to my workflow, it lots of various cases

I can see various use case for this, interesting! Thx for the video demo!

@b77 Oh, wow, what a nice surprise that this is already built-in ! [image: ZBJAeB7.gif] Space key is a bit unsual, I didn't think about testing this, but at least, it exists! Welcome to VectorStyler! Still exploring to see if it has to tool I already use in Affinity, and if it has the one I needed... this is a point win for VectorStyler!