Inkscape

Feature request: Surface development?

Asked by Alex Farlie

In developing a very simple model bridge I found myself in need of a 'tool' for unrolling a 'path' between two nodes, I.e making it a straight line of equivalent length to the curved one.

I'd like to request a feature that does this unrolling automatically, as I was finding it cumbersome to do this manually.

Even more useful would be a feature where you could select any path, and have Inkscape develop an appropriate surface from it.
(Note this would be different from the current Inset/Outset tools.)

(Aside: Is there a way to attach images/example here? The example 'elevation' for the model bridge is here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Model_bridge.svg ).

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Solved
For:
Inkscape Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Solved by:
Alex Farlie
Solved:
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Hachmann (marenhachmann) said : 		#2

Hi Alex,

feature requests need to be made to the bug tracker:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape

You can also write an extension that does this, if you know how to use some kind of programming language (most extensions are currently written in python):
https://inkscape.org/en/develop/extensions/
(or you can ask on the developers' and users' mailing list if someone would write that extension for you:
https://inkscape.org/en/community/mailing-lists/ - need to subscribe before sending a message)

As a workaround, you can do Extensions -> Visualize Path -> Measure Path, then make the line straight with the corresponding button in the node tool's tool bar, and transform it to the correct length.

Images can't be attached here in the answers section (which is very annoying, as it requires us to guess what a user means so often...). In the bug tracker, this will work fine.

Kind regards,
 Maren

Revision history for this message
Alex Farlie (afarlie) said : 		#3

Will be posting a feature request... Essentially what I think I need is an automated version of an old-school drawing office drafting technique for sruface development, which sadly I was never actually taught in school ( Despite doing a small amount of woodwork.)

I might have to find an open-source CAD tool (vs Inkscape to do do it very precisely though..