The pen tool, , includes a list of predefined shapes to apply to a path. Does anyone know if it's possible to add to that list?

Hi microUgly
Since there's a "From clipboard" option, I guess you could copy any shape onto the clipboard. I know I've done that myself when playing with spiro splines. I'm not sure how it would work in other modes..... Well, after just a minute playing with it, it appears to automatically apply pattern along path (LPE), using whatever is on the clipboard.

microUgly wrote:The pen tool, , includes a list of predefined shapes to apply to a path. Does anyone know if it's possible to add to that list?

Not at runtime: the entries in the 'Shape' selector are built at compile time based on existing code, and you would need some coding skills to add new ones (and be able to compile Inkscape yourself):

• Inkscape stable: src/widgets/toolbox.cpp | src/draw-context.cpp
• Inkscape trunk: src/widgets/pencil-toolbar.cpp | src/draw-context.cpp

Note: maybe you'd be more interested in testing the new PowerStroke LPE (Experimental, Work-In-Progress!!!) available in recent development builds: the 'Triangle In | Out' shapes will now use that one instead of the 'Pattern-along-Path' LPE (still in use for 'Ellipse' and 'From Clipboard').

brynn wrote:Since there's a "From clipboard" option, I guess you could copy any shape onto the clipboard.

I'm aware of that, but because i'm working with a couple of shapes with different cappings that I'm constantly switching between, it's kinda a burden. It's easier just to draw all my paths then go back and edit the LPE to use the shape I need.

~suv wrote:Not at runtime: the entries in the 'Shape' selector are built at compile time based on existing code,

Ah, that's unfortunate. I was hoping they would be loaded from a folder that I could create new files in.

~suv wrote:maybe you'd be more interested in testing the new PowerStroke LPE

I think I am, but I'm not sure if I follow how it works from the link you provided. Does this satisfy a common request to have variable width stroke--basically allowing you do vary the width of a stroke at any point along the path (even though you're not technically working with a stroke)?

I should probably just download it and find out for myself

microUgly wrote:

~suv wrote:maybe you'd be more interested in testing the new PowerStroke LPE

I think I am, but I'm not sure if I follow how it works from the link you provided. Does this satisfy a common request to have variable width stroke--basically allowing you do vary the width of a stroke at any point along the path (even though you're not technically working with a stroke)?

Yes - Powerstroke is an implementation of "variable stroke width". See also

• the related proposal page in Inkscape's wiki: Powerstroke
• the slides of Johan's recent presentation: LGM2012 - Powerstroke.pdf
• for additional details (also with regard to missing features, mostly for the UI), consider searching the mailing list archives of inkscape-devel for recent discussions: gmane search results

Screenshot of the current interface for the Powerstroke LPE:
Here's another example by Andy Fitzsimon (Powerstroke combined with Spiro splines):
(the link to this screenshot was originally shared via this tweet)

That's amazing! I've already done the Inking on my next colouring... so I'm going to have to find something else to give this a go. That's really exciting.

YES! A lot of people are going to be so happy when that feature is finalized