On 10/13/07, Donn <donn.ingle@...400...> wrote:
Ah, I saw that. What I am saying is that if I draw a path of only 2 nodes it would be nice to see a display every time you select that path which shows it's length too.
Good idea to special-case this in the selection description in the statusbar. I'll do it.
Extending that idea, a display to show the length of the path between selected nodes -- from the first selected to the last.
Yes. Actually we have plans to add spinbuttons to the controls bar to display the coords of the selected node, as well as probably some other things. Again, as with canvas rotation, it is clear what to do, but we just lack manpower.
Extending that; a way to quickly add a text object (like measure path extension does) to that path showing it's length + unit. One per segment.
So, what's not quick about the extension? You can assign a keyboard shortcut to it and it will be very easy to call.
Have a text-input someplace to set a standard conversion factor and unit, document-wide. The text object would be under Inkscape control and would "stick" to the segments, updating as they change/move/scale etc. (i.e. It would not be selectable.)
The extension already creates text on path, which sticks to the path as you describe. And you can select the units of measurement. Any other improvements are welcome, the extension is pretty simple, written in Python.
- A label near the W/H display which auto-calculates the area of a
thing; at least for rectangles and three node shapes. More complex shapes would be good.
That's a good idea. I think it can just be added to the tooltip.
As long as it shows for long enough to be useful. i.e. seen, converted and noted someplace by the poor human :)
I don't want to add it to the main interface, as it's a rather specialized information. But in the tooltip it will not be in the way and yet accessible.
An idea just flashed -- an "inkspace info layer" that is not user controlled - it can be shown/hidden and contains all the various read-outs (perhaps in sub-layers like fill/line, area/w/h/length/angle, meta-info, xml info) pertinent to each object on the screen.
I think python extensions are good enough for this functionality. You have one for measuring paths, you can easily create another for calculating areas, angles, etc.