Hi Friends, I've been trying to get my nerve up to ask about this, since I first used Inkscape, 10 years ago. So here goes.
Can anyone give me a good reason for having all the tools styles set, by default, to last used style?
In 10 years, I have never met, seen, or heard of anyone who needs this feature; while we have to answer this same general problem for newbies over and over and over again. Countless times I've answered these messages. I'll bet I don't even need to give examples, do I?
I would guess it's the single biggest stumbling block for newbies. It certainly must be the single most asked question by newbies. At least in forums, and probably LP Answers.
I can imagine rare scenarios, where someone might actually use this feature. But if I want an object the exact same style as the one before, I simply duplicate (or copy/paste, or paste style). So it's a mystery to me why last used style should be the default behavior, when we have all these other perfectly suitable features, which don't cause newbies (and those who help them) so many headaches.
I understand if we might not want to throw it out the window ((although that's what I would do with it, haha)). But is there any chance we could at least not have it to be the default behavior?
When we first download and open Inkscape for the first time, all the tools have a characteristic style. If I recall, it's a pink rectangle, light blue circle, yellow star, and green spiral, with darker tones for the strokes, and all partially transparent. And for Pencil and Pen, I guess it's the black stroke.
Could we just keep those styles, but set all the tools for "This tool's own style" instead of "Last used style"? And could we have this the default behavior for when newbies first install Inkscape?
Oh, it would save us SO, so much time, those of us who answer newbie questions, day in and day out. I'd be so happy to write up a bug/feature request report for this, if there isn't some serious objection.
Thanks for listening, brynn