creating fillable shape from lines

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inkscapesuperman
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2011 10:54 am

creating fillable shape from lines

Postby inkscapesuperman » Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:00 am

I'm trying to create a fillable shape from lines. For example I draw 3 lines that I "connect" with "snap to cuspnode" to make a triangle. But I can not fill that shape. I tried Ctrl-K and Boolean and stuff like that, but it doesn't become a shape that I can fill. Does anybody know how to do this?

llogg
Posts: 443
Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:30 am

Re: creating fillable shape from lines

Postby llogg » Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:56 pm

If you're really wanting to simply draw a triangle, do the following:
1. Draw a rectangle :tool_rectangle:
2. Object to path
3. :tool_node: and delete one node

If you want an isosceles triangle you can select one rectangle side and add a node then delete the two corner nodes.

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RobA
Posts: 335
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 1:22 am

Re: creating fillable shape from lines

Postby RobA » Sun Apr 17, 2011 1:52 am

inkscapesuperman wrote:I'm trying to create a fillable shape from lines. For example I draw 3 lines that I "connect" with "snap to cuspnode" to make a triangle. But I can not fill that shape. I tried Ctrl-K and Boolean and stuff like that, but it doesn't become a shape that I can fill. Does anybody know how to do this?


Even unclosed shapes can have a fill. What do you mean by "fillable"?

-Rob A>

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druban
Posts: 1917
Joined: Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:48 pm

Re: creating fillable shape from lines

Postby druban » Sun Apr 17, 2011 2:12 am

inkscapesuperman wrote:I'm trying to create a fillable shape from lines. For example I draw 3 lines that I "connect" with "snap to cuspnode" to make a triangle. But I can not fill that shape. I tried Ctrl-K and Boolean and stuff like that, but it doesn't become a shape that I can fill. Does anybody know how to do this?

A two-node path can show a fill in the bottom left swatch but you won't see it on canvas because the path has only one dimension (no area).
But you are almost there with control-K which combines the three two-node paths into one six-node but disjointed path. Now you have to select each pair of overlapping nodes with the :tool_node: - draw a small marquee that encloses just the two nodes you want to join - and click the third icon in the control bar, 'join selected nodes'. As soon as you do this Inkscape will display a fill, but you should do the other two corners too if you want a truly closed shape.
A quicker solution would be to use the bucket fill tool :tool_paintbucket: if you have already drawn your three lines. This generates another shape that won't be triangular, necessarily, but looks OK unless you zoom in. Use the 'grow by' or a stroked shape and you will get very good results. Use the shrink by to get a series of insets...
Naturally you can use the bezier pen :tool_pen: too. and even set the control barto draw straight lines (cusp nodes only). click once twice three times and there you are.
But the fastest way to get a triangle is to use the star tool :tool_star: , set it to 'polygon' and '3' vertices in the control bar and draw. Instant triangle, although you will have to do an 'object to path' to edit it.
Your mind is what you think it is.

inkscapesuperman
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2011 10:54 am

Re: creating fillable shape from lines

Postby inkscapesuperman » Sun Apr 17, 2011 9:12 am

druban wrote:But you are almost there with control-K which combines the three two-node paths into one six-node but disjointed path. Now you have to select each pair of overlapping nodes with the :tool_node: - draw a small marquee that encloses just the two nodes you want to join - and click the third icon in the control bar, 'join selected nodes'.


That's what I need! Thanks!

I'm drawing more complex shapes than triangles. I was just figuring out how to do it with a triangle because it's the simplest shape.


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