XLS for features and ideas - Megathread

Daniel

@VectorStyler: it is the default transform tool but with modifier.

VectorStyler

@Daniel said in XLS for features and ideas - Mega Thread:

it is the default transform tool but with modifier.

That is problematic, because then we don't know which effect / property is selected.

Daniel

@VectorStyler: How about then simply selecting the FX first in the yet-to-be-developed properties panel? Before the drag and drop?

VectorStyler

@Daniel said in XLS for features and ideas - Mega Thread:

How about then simply selecting the FX first in the yet-to-be-developed properties panel?

I will think of a solution. For now the best I can think of is when the corresponding effect editor tool is active.

Daniel

Spacing handles: Selecting multiple objects should switch on spacing handles. Spacing handles are both vertical and horizontal. These help in adjusting the space beween the objects without resizing them.

VectorStyler

@Daniel said in XLS for features and ideas - Mega Thread:

These help in adjusting the space beween the objects without resizing them.

There is a Gap tool in VectorStyler, but that changes the object sizes.

Daniel

Spacing handles automatically distribute objects when used, so you can think of how to combine this with alignment handles suggested earlier.

Daniel

@VectorStyler: This need not be a separate tool. It is an act of transformation, therefore logically related to normal transform tool.

Daniel

@VectorStyler: Ctrl + Shift + Scroll over fill to change hue, with on-canvas label to show HSL values. The same scrolling over stroke changes stroke width.

Daniel

<<>> keys to proportionally resize objects by set percentages.

Daniel

@VectorStyler: Transient zoom: Hold down a key for a set zoom percentage at mouse cursor location for as long as the key is held down. One implementation: Inkscape.

Daniel

@VectorStyler

I went over all my previous suggestions and realised that a great number of them centred around improvements to the pen tool. So I am going to summarise them all in this thread for simplicity:

1. Additional pen modes: Bezigon Model, Catmull Rom Spline and Arc Spline - See XDP (for CR), Gravit & FH (for Bezigon) and Boxy SVG (for Arc Spline)
2. Interactive feedback for nodes and paths: See Lunacy & Boxy SVG
3. Tab to next node with auto panning if node out of view: See XDP
4. Merge Node Editing & Curve Creation: See GIMP
5. Vector Networks: See VGC.io and Figma
6. Lock Nodes: See PL
7. Group Nodes: This is completely new.
8. Implement Tangential Node: See FreeHand
9. Allow 15-degree guides and snap to curve edges: See Graphite.Rs
10. Allow subpaths: See Affinity & PL

I invite other users to vote on what they think ought to be the order in which these improvements and ideas for pen tool should be. For me, right at the very top of the pile goes Bezigon and merging of node editing and curve creation capabilities. And Bezigon would require Tangential nodes and 15-degree guide to be meaningful. This would be followed by Lock and Group nodes.

VectorStyler

@Daniel said in XLS for features and ideas - Mega Thread:

Additional pen modes: Bezigon Model, Catmull Rom Spline and Arc Spline - See XDP (for CR), Gravit & FH (for Bezigon) and Boxy SVG (for Arc Spline)

Some of these will be separate tools. In terms of clicks it is better, and then you can assign shortcuts to those tools.

Interactive feedback for nodes and paths: See Lunacy & Boxy SVG

I have to learn more about this.

Tab to next node with auto panning if node out of view: See XDP

Yes.

Merge Node Editing & Curve Creation: See GIMP

Problematic. Both tools are already overload the existing modifier keys. But it is possible to switch temporarily.

Vector Networks: See VGC.io and Figma

Yes, but later.

Lock Nodes: See PL

Possibly yes.

Group Nodes: This is completely new.

Same as above.

Implement Tangential Node: See FreeHand

I have to learn more about these. Any examples?

Allow 15-degree guides and snap to curve edges: See Graphite.Rs

Not sure, but both of these might exist. Guidelines can be rotated to any angle, and then there is Collision snapping mode.

Allow subpaths: See Affinity & PL

I think these are supported. Just use the Combine path operator.

Daniel

@VectorStyler

Some of these will be separate tools. In terms of clicks it is better, and then you can assign shortcuts to those tools.

That's fair. Works for me.

I have to learn more about this.

This is a quality of life improvement. This can wait.

Problematic. Both tools are already overload the existing modifier keys. But it is possible to switch temporarily.

Perhaps, there's a misunderstanding here. I'm not suggesting that we getting rid of the node tool. The node tool should exist on it's own. But the pen tool should be able to manipulate both nodes, handles, add, delete nodes, and so on. I will record a video to demo this clearly. Once you see it, you can assess if it's possible. This circumvents the need to use modifier. It is highly intuitive and useful. Combined with other modes previously suggested, it would be supremely meaningful.

I have to learn more about these. Any examples?

I will record video for this.

Not sure, but both of these might exist. Guidelines can be rotated to any angle, and then there is Collision snapping mode.

Will need to check this further to see if it works as it should.

I think these are supported. Just use the Combine path operator.

It's not about combining path. It's about continuing to draw separate curves as a part of a single path. Is that how it works?

VectorStyler

@Daniel said in XLS for features and ideas - Mega Thread:

It's about continuing to draw separate curves as a part of a single path. Is that how it works?

No. Is this about continuing to add curves to a single path? Show me some examples.

Daniel

@VectorStyler: Yes. I can discontinue a curve. Click somewhere else, and it would be considered a single path. I will record video later this weekend.

lilith

@Daniel said in XLS for features and ideas - Megathread:

@VectorStyler

Some of these will be separate tools. In terms of clicks it is better, and then you can assign shortcuts to those tools.

That's fair. Works for me.

I have to learn more about this.

This is a quality of life improvement. This can wait.

Problematic. Both tools are already overload the existing modifier keys. But it is possible to switch temporarily.

Perhaps, there's a misunderstanding here. I'm not suggesting that we getting rid of the node tool. The node tool should exist on it's own. But the pen tool should be able to manipulate both nodes, handles, add, delete nodes, and so on. I will record a video to demo this clearly. Once you see it, you can assess if it's possible. This circumvents the need to use modifier. It is highly intuitive and useful. Combined with other modes previously suggested, it would be supremely meaningful.

I have to learn more about these. Any examples?

I will record video for this.

Not sure, but both of these might exist. Guidelines can be rotated to any angle, and then there is Collision snapping mode.

Will need to check this further to see if it works as it should.

I think these are supported. Just use the Combine path operator.

It's not about combining path. It's about continuing to draw separate curves as a part of a single path. Is that how it works?

''But the pen tool should be able to manipulate both nodes, handles, add, delete nodes, and so on.''
Are you talking about Affinity Designer‘s pen tool

Daniel

@lilith no. Xara and gimp.

FastVector

When using the pen tool now: you can add nodes by clicking on the path, and add handles by click and drag on the nodes. When using the control key you can use a lot of the functions of the node tool.

What I would like to see is that the deleting of nodes would work the same way as in the node tool.

Daniel

@FastVector: yeah, my case is for removing the modifier. Why do we need it? Try Gimp once and see for yourself. It makes perfect sense to do the entire operation without any modifier whatsoever.

The precedent for this was set by the ill conceived illustrator pen tool which splits two logically related, sequentially performed operation, creating curves and manipulating nodes.

I'm recommending that we get rid of it the unnecessary modifier key.

Double clicking adds a node.
Middle clicking the node removes nodes. Simple. Clear. Economic.