@VectorStyler said in option for vector halftones to generate dots beyond the object boundary, then clip them to the object shape.:

The halftone approximates the object color / intensity. But what intensity is is beyond the object boundary? This is hard to know, especially for images.

I was thinking of it similarly to how gradients work.

With a gradient, the control line and color stops can extend outside the visible object boundary. The user can define color/intensity behavior in an unseen area, and the object simply displays the clipped result inside its shape.

Could halftones have a comparable “source area” or “generation area”?

The object shape would remain the visible clipping boundary, but the halftone grid/intensity field could be generated from a larger editable area, similar to how a gradient line extends beyond the object.

So instead of asking VectorStyler to guess intensity outside the object, the user would explicitly define it through the halftone source/generation area.

Possible model:

1. Object shape = visible clipping boundary
2. Halftone source area = where the dot field/intensity is generated
3. Dots are generated across that source area
4. Final result is clipped to the object shape

This would allow partial edge dots without requiring VectorStyler to infer unknown image data outside the object.

For flat fills or uniform halftones, the outside intensity could simply continue the same value. For gradients, the existing gradient behavior could define the intensity beyond the visible object. For images, this could either be disabled or require a larger image/source area.

Essentially, adding a halftone generation area separate from the visible clipping shape, similar to how gradient controls can extend outside an object while the final color remains clipped to the object.

But what intensity is is beyond the object boundary? This is hard to know, especially for images.

If I understand correctly, I would say to treat it the same way we we use the gradient tool and can pull the gradient color intensity farther out beyond the visible shape.

The halftone approximates the object color / intensity. But what intensity is is beyond the object boundary? This is hard to know, especially for images.

One workaround for this would be to create a larger object with the halftone, and the just clip it into the desired shape.