[SOLVED] I modify a path, but the line doesn't change. Help!

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trusktr
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2010 6:44 am

[SOLVED] I modify a path, but the line doesn't change. Help!

Postby trusktr » Sat Sep 25, 2010 6:46 am

How in the world do I get the line to follow the path? If I move a node, the line's nodes move as well, but if i modify the curvature using the little round bulbs sticking out of the nodes, the line doesn't get modified. How do you make the line follow the path whenever you modify the path?
Last edited by trusktr on Sat Sep 25, 2010 7:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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prkos
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Re: I modify a path, but the line doesn't change. Help!

Postby prkos » Sat Sep 25, 2010 11:03 am

Sounds like you've applied the spiro spline effect to your object. To remove it go to Path > Remove Path Effect.
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vwanweb
Posts: 169
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2010 1:48 pm

Re: I modify a path, but the line doesn't change. Help!

Postby vwanweb » Sat Sep 25, 2010 12:27 pm

When you create a path with the Pencil :tool_pencil: or the Bezier :tool_pen: Tools MODE types are used. Selecting the Mode type is done by clicking the appropriate icon in the Tool Controls Bar, located just above the canvas. Hover/Float your mouse over the icons to view a tool-tip message explaining the icons use/setting. As pointed out it seems you are in the Spiro Mode, when you are wanting to draw using a regular path. To create a regular path you must first Click the Regular Path icon, in the Controls Bar, then draw it on your canvas.

•Pencil :tool_pencil: Modes:

> Create a regular path.
> Create a Spiro path.

•Bezier :tool_pen: Modes:

> Create a regular path.
> Create a Spiro path.
> Create a path of straight line segments.
> Create a path of straight line segments parallel to the coordinate axis

Working with paths (creating) and editing path nodes is likely the most sophisticated feature set within Inkscape. It will take you a long time to learn the Path Tools using trial and error. You may want to read up on this topic fist as it is one of the larger chapters in the Inkscape manual. Here is the url for Chapter 7, Paths:
http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/Paths.html

trusktr
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2010 6:44 am

Re: I modify a path, but the line doesn't change. Help!

Postby trusktr » Sat Sep 25, 2010 7:00 pm

Aha! indeed i had it in spiro mode. I could not figure out how to fix it for the life of me so unfortunately for my first vector project i had to use illustrator. Illustrator took my vector virginity. :(... But I'm willing to give inkscape a second chance now that i've overcome this little bumb in the road..

I just needed to trace a photo of the product i'm working on for the package label stickers and i was soooo stuck in inkscape so i had to trace it in illustrator. Should be good to go now though. :D

I think it'd be better if "create spiro path" was removed from the initial "tool controls bar" and just left in the "path effect editor". This would be better for new comers, but more advanced users could always add the "spiro spline" with the effect editor or with a keyboard shortcut. There are many people out there (unlike you or me) who don't get on forums and just like to learn by fiddling. It'd be more beneficial for them NOT to get stuck at the very beginning due to some really simple (yet not readily obvious) feature. Then, once they fiddle with it, they'd be able to find these cool effects (or people like us can learn from the forums and the documentation AFTER an initial no-prior-knowledge test run in which we didn't get stuck).

Man, i bet software companies would love me on their quality assurance team. haha


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