I added two new commands to the Path menu: Dynamic offset and Linked offset. Now simple Inset/Outset commands work on paths, and the two new commands create an "offset object" that can be dynamically adjusted by the node tool. The difference between them is that Dynamic offset transforms the selected object into an offset, while Linked offset adds a new offset object that is linked to the original path, so you can edit the original path and its linked offset will be updated. This is a very powerful tool and I'm really excited about it.
Fred, there are some remaining problems where we need your help. It would be great to have them fixed for the upcoming release:
- It appears that all offsets now use the imprecise algorithm (you once mentioned that there were two algorithms, one precise but slow and the othe imprecise but fast). I think we should use the precise algorithm for all kinds of offsets, dynamic or not.
- The simple Inset/Outset commands must check if the object is already an SPOffset, and if so, adjust its radius instead of converting it to shapes.
- The dynamic offsets do not accept zero radius; they snap it to +/- 0.25, so you cannot do an exact copy of the original. Why this limitation? I tried removing
if (fabs (offset->rad) < 0.25) offset->rad = (offset->rad < 0) ? -0.25 : 0.25;
in sp-offset.cpp but then setting zero radius caused the program to freeze. Is this a limitation of the algorithm?
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