Non-destructive Pattern Along Path ?

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tantilla
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Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 5:54 am

Non-destructive Pattern Along Path ?

Postby tantilla » Mon Feb 14, 2011 6:10 am

Hi,

Both Pattern Along Path, and its LPE version, skew the objects/paths after aligning them to each node. While this is desirable in maintaining continuity when applying a single shape to a curve, it results in distorting repeated objects at corners. Does anyone know of an extension that merely copies and aligns an object to each node in path without skewing them ?

Thanks.

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brynn
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Re: Non-destructive Pattern Along Path ?

Postby brynn » Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:10 am

Hi tantilla,
Welcome to InkscapeForum! Image

I don't know of any solution to this, although others have had the same complaint. Someone else may know of something though, so hang in there. Meanwhile, I just wanted to say welcome :D

~suv
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Re: Non-destructive Pattern Along Path ?

Postby ~suv » Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:16 am

tantilla wrote:Does anyone know of an extension that merely copies and aligns an object to each node in path without skewing them ?
Extensions > Generate from Path > Scatter"places a pattern along one or more target paths. It is almost identical to the Pattern along Path extension except that the pattern is not deformed."

If you need alignment to nodes, consider using a custom marker.

tantilla
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Re: Non-destructive Pattern Along Path ?

Postby tantilla » Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:09 pm

Thanks for the quick and helpful response, scatter and markers did the trick.

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brynn
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Re: Non-destructive Pattern Along Path ?

Postby brynn » Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:15 pm

Off topic:
Extensions > Generate from Path > Scatter… "places a pattern along one or more target paths. It is almost identical to the Pattern along Path extension except that the pattern is not deformed."

Arrrgh! Image
~suv, I've just realized that there is one really, really important way that I can contribute to the development of Inkscape. I can go through Inkscape and suggest proper titles for the various, hideously named tools, filters, extensions, commands, dialogs, etc., etc.

I would NEVER have guessed that an extension named "scatter" would actually place objects along a path, just like Pattern Along Path, except without the distortion! Who would??? Without having looked at it, I would assume that it did something like, oh gee.....scatter objects around the canvas in presumably various patterns...and/or nodes maybe?? Image

Honestly, I would be so happy to submit a one-page text document to the proper people in charge, with suggestions for better names for various things which don't seem to work. Would you be able to tell me who or where to submit such? Maybe just Launchpad?

~suv
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Re: Non-destructive Pattern Along Path ?

Postby ~suv » Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:35 pm

Off topic:
brynn wrote:I would NEVER have guessed that an extension named "scatter" would actually place objects along a path, just like Pattern Along Path, except without the distortion! Who would???
The extensions 'Pattern along Path' and 'Scatter' were named by its author
brynn wrote:Honestly, I would be so happy to submit a one-page text document to the proper people in charge, with suggestions for better names for various things which don't seem to work. Would you be able to tell me who or where to submit such?
It is best to file a report in the bug tracker with your proposed changes to the strings used in the menu(s) and possibly tool tips / status line messages. Possibly split the report (proposed changes for extensions, filters [1] and other menu commands).

[1] extensions and filters are differently built internally than the other menus

~suv
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Re: Non-destructive Pattern Along Path ?

Postby ~suv » Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:42 pm

The 'Scatter…' extension will get a new feature in Inkscape 0.49 (contributed by ffaat):
… and there's also the contributed extension 'Place Objects on Path'. -- (example)


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