Is there a way to know when stroke handle is aligned with stroke angle?

[Boldline]

@b77 I wonder if it would make sense to have the section of stroke and that node change color when aligned? Affinity does something like that when two lines touch - it turns yellow.
Part of me would like something to indicate it's aligned, but I think your solution would work. I don't want to overkill the app with things lol

[b77]

But I would prefer to know if the node is cusp, smooth or symmetric without having to select it.

Maybe the simplest solution would be using different shapes for each node type — it's been suggested already here:

https://www.vectorstyler.com/forum/topic/515/option-to-customize-and-assign-each-node-type-a-different-shape-indicator

Something like a circle for smooth, a square for cusp and… what else for a symmetric node? A diamond?

…
So if I see a round node (smooth) at the end of a straight line, I know that its handle is aligned with the angle of that segment.

(There's also the start node — it still needs to have something like an arrow to indicate the path direction).

[VectorStyler]

@Boldline Select the node and make it smooth (button in context panel).

There is a feature request to indicate node types by shape (and make it customizable), I will move it to higher priority.

[Boldline]

@vectoradmin I was not actively looking for this, but when I was using Affinity Designer tonight, I noticed they highlight the node when the handle is aligned perfectly with the other side. You can see it in the video here. The second one I did in the video shows the effect. I think that could work for VS as well - it's subtle but gets the job done

[Boldline]

@vectoradmin said in Is there a way to know when stroke handle is aligned with stroke angle?:

There is a feature request to indicate node types by shape (and make it customizable)

I think this would also be a good improvement as well. so long as the shapes used are pretty basic - circle, square, triangle?

[VectorStyler]

@Boldline There will be circle, square or triangle shapes only.

[Vector-Rock]

@vectoradmin

As mentioned in my original post, CorelDRAW offers six (6) Preset Shapes that can be assigned to Cusp, Smooth or Symmetrical in any combination:

• Square
• Circle
• Triangle
• Diamond
• Pentagon
• Square with Rounded Corners
  .

.

Having six choices is probably overkill for most.

The Diamond Shape seems like it might be popular for many?

As @b77 mentioned, I can see people using the Diamond shape for Symmetrical. You may want to consider that as a fourth option as well. Especially considering the Triangle is used to indicate Direction of the Path and also to add Nodes to a Selection with Shift-Click. Something to ponder.

[VectorStyler]

@Vector-Rock Those shape will be available when customizing.

[Boldline]

@Boldline said in Is there a way to know when stroke handle is aligned with stroke angle?:

@vectoradmin I was not actively looking for this, but when I was using Affinity Designer tonight, I noticed they highlight the node when the handle is aligned perfectly with the other side. You can see it in the video here. The second one I did in the video shows the effect. I think that could work for VS as well - it's subtle but gets the job done

Did you have a thought on this alignment indicator like in Affinity @vectoradmin ?
Or were you implying this might be dealt with when you add the customizable shapes? I liked the idea that the node would change color when the path is aligned with the opposing size (only while you were moving the line itself, not forever)

[VectorStyler]

@Boldline This will be dealt with when adding the shape customization.

[VectorStyler]

@Vector-Rock Node shape customization is available now in 1.1.002 (beta)