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Help Using Inkscape => Inkscape Beginners' Questions => Topic started by: nikto on February 24, 2016, 07:37:38 PM

Title: How to refect objects across a specific path
Post by: nikto on February 24, 2016, 07:37:38 PM

To be honest I say that I'm asking this on other forums ..
I can not figure out how to mirror an object using another object or a path as an axis ..
Basically I would like to do something like this:
(http://www.pixhoster.info/f/2016-02/0f5d062050cde5b0194e86761e18b284.jpg)
.. and this:
(http://www.pixhoster.info/f/2016-02/6f43a1b1de199179acdab712fa63a1b7.jpg)
To draw these examples I had to use Illustrator ...................... :help2:

Title: Re: How to refect objects across a specific path
Post by: Lazur on February 24, 2016, 10:23:37 PM

Welcome aboard!

Posting the same answer as in your other topic (http://www.inkscapeforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22696&p=80905#p80905).

Here is a quick idea how to achieve this with a spacer object:

(https://openclipart.org/image/2400px/svg_to_png/242331/mirror-mirror.png) (https://openclipart.org/detail/242331/mirroring-in-inkscape)


another solution:

(https://openclipart.org/image/2400px/svg_to_png/242332/mirror-mirror-2.png) (https://openclipart.org/detail/242332/mirroring-in-inkscape-2)

Title: Re: How to refect objects across a specific path
Post by: brynn on February 25, 2016, 02:39:07 PM

Or you could just Flip Vertical for the first example, or Flip Horizontal for the 2nd.

Enable the Selection tool, look on the control bar (3rd horizontal bar from the top) for these icons/buttons:

Flip  Horizontal   :fh:  (6th from left)

Flip Vertical   :fv:   (7th from left)

These commands will not place the objects relative to the axis, they just flip the object.  So you'll have to find some kind of technique to place them properly.  There are many ways to place objects precisely, and your choice which way depends on the specific circumstances on the canvas, along with your own preference.

We can give you some ideas about how to do that.  But I'm not sure if your examples are coming from your project, or if you just made them for examples.  So let us know if you need help with placement (and be sure to show example from your project).

You know, Inkscape really should have a way to that automatically.   I'm tempted to post a feature request..... 0:)  (although I wouldn't be surprised if there already is a request....)

Title: Re: How to refect objects across a specific path
Post by: Lazur on February 25, 2016, 02:48:16 PM

Seems it will be included (http://www.inkscapeforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=19017) in 0.92 as an lpe.

Original problem solved (http://www.inkscapeforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22696).

Title: Re: How to refect objects across a specific path
Post by: brynn on February 25, 2016, 03:47:33 PM

Good news on both!  :D

Title: Re: How to refect objects across a specific path
Post by: nikto on February 26, 2016, 06:15:02 AM

In my opinion the important thing is not to create an "effect", but rather create a mirror tool with the ability to select and move its own center or reference axis.
I'm a graphic designer and 99,9% of times we needs to mirror some individual elements and some not..
That feature is most useful for creating Rorschach inkblot and mandalas rather than for the every day most frequent operations .

ps.
How can I propose a new feature to inkscape?
Is there an official forum for this?

Title: Re: How to refect objects across a specific path
Post by: Lazur on February 26, 2016, 11:03:13 AM

For mandalas using cloned groups and the transformation panel can fit pretty much everything.
Not sure what projects you have worked on as a graphic designer, I have hardly seen any design where that feature would be mandatory or that 99,9% of graphic problems are of mirror symmetry.

Pic (svg) related:

(https://openclipart.org/image/2400px/svg_to_png/227974/rpt3.png) (https://openclipart.org/detail/227974/hall-of-the-mountain-king)


Can only suggest the bug tracker as before (http://www.inkscapeforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22696#p80871) for feature requests or joining the mailing list (I haven't tried that).

But with an lpe ready to go with the next release, I doubt a developer would catch it up soon.



Also, effects are "superior" as they are live and can still work with the original unaffected objects.
Yet you can apply them any time if you convert object to path (Ctrl+Shift+C).

Title: Re: How to refect objects across a specific path
Post by: nikto on February 26, 2016, 01:47:34 PM

Sorry, it's very difficult for me to write in English.
I meant 99.9% of mirroring cases. Not 99.9% of the work in general ..

Title: Re: How to refect objects across a specific path
Post by: brynn on February 27, 2016, 01:19:33 AM

There's a new LPE, which may already be in the development version, which will do mirroring.  Let's see if I can find a link to the video demonstration....

Ah yes, here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1sj4AeU3Yo

If you want to try a development version, to find out if it's there, you can find download info here:  https://inkscape.org/en/download/  (many different languages availble on inkscape.org)

Sorry I didn't think of that before.  If it's not in the dev version, I think it should be soon.