linear gradients should be vertical by default (or user defined)

[v1nce]

I design icons "à la Mac" with light following a straight vertical (not a 45° NW) so everytime I add a new shape I start with replacing the horizontal gradient by a vertical one.

Is there a reason why by default the gradient is horizontal ?

Could it be vertical instead ?
Or better could it be user defined (eg Start x 0%, y 0% End x 100% y 100% for the 45°NW gradient lovers)

Could the repeat mode be stored as user preferences too ? (eg 50%,50%,100%,50%, reflection if you want a symetrical horizontal gradient)

[jazzynico (jazzynico)]

We could also store the gradient coordinates directly in the defs:

  <defs
     id="defs4">
    <linearGradient
       inkscape:collect="always"
       id="linearGradient3701"
       x1="0%"
       y1="0%"
       x2="100%"
       y2="100%"
       gradientUnits="objectBoundingBox">
      <stop
         style="stop-color:#000000;stop-opacity:1;"
         offset="0"
         id="stop3703" />
      <stop
         style="stop-color:#000000;stop-opacity:0;"
         offset="1"
         id="stop3705" />
    </linearGradient>
    <linearGradient
       inkscape:collect="always"
       xlink:href="#linearGradient3701"
       id="linearGradient3707"/>
  </defs>

[v1nce (vincent-pennec)]

See my proposal discussed @ http://www.inkscapeforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=11934

preview http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/1790/gridgradient.jpg

[su_v (suv-lp)]

> Is there a reason why by default the gradient is horizontal ?

The SVG 1.1. specification (the default/fallback values)?

[John Smith (john-smithi)]

Attached patch adds a simple user preference "Tools->Gradient->Linear Gradient angle" for the default angle of new gradients.
The gradient still extends to the bounding box of the object.

[jazzynico (jazzynico)]

@John - It seems the patch also applies changes related to the dropper history.

[John Smith (john-smithi)]

Apologies, please find a clean patch attached.

[John Smith (john-smithi)]

Committed r11678 : User preference "Tools->Gradient->Linear Gradient angle" to set preferred linear gradient angle for new gradients (default is horizontal).