Feature request: Adding new selection methods to the node tool
Affects | Status | Importance | Assigned to | Milestone | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Inkscape |
New
|
Wishlist
|
Unassigned |
Bug Description
The node editor is probably the key tool for making custom paths and graphics, and it does well in that respect. It certainly offers a convenient interface for viewing, moving, and editing nodes.
Selecting them, however, is a different matter. The only available selection methods are clicking an individual node, or using rectangular selection. There doesn't even appear to be a lasso selection tool, which is considered basic in most programs. When editing complex shapes with a large number of nodes, selecting the right nodes for each move or adjustment is usually 90% of the work. If fine-tuned editing of many nodes is required, selecting the nodes for edit over and over, often one by one due to the difficulty of using a rectangle in complex shapes, prevents any rapid adjustment work.
Besides adding a lasso tool, I suggest adding another selection method which I would like to refer to as "brush selection". This method first requires choosing a radius. When clicking on the canvas, any point within the specified radius around the pointer is selected, and can be moved right away. Such a selection tool can allow quick dragging and adjustment of many points in a path in an intuitive manner.
Obviously, there are many ways this idea can be refined and enhanced farther, but I'll leave it at just this basic level, since it should be fairly simple to implement, and can make a big difference in making rapid vector artwork.
You are aware of the existing selection method to add/remove nodes to the selection with the scrollwheel - based on the spatial distance from the cursor or on the linear distance measured along the path?
For details, see tavmjong. free.fr/ INKSCAPE/ MANUAL/ html/Paths- Editing. html#Paths- Node-Selecting>
<http://