Inkscape wishlist - October 2007 Curr. version 1.45.1 on Kubuntu Dapper Drake.
Please forgive the intrusion, perhaps this will be of use to someone and maybe it'll spark a thread of ideas. (Is there a more appropriate place to submit wish-lists?)
I have recently been designing our house using inkscape to do the top-view plan. I have found it far more flexible than the only other option, Qcad. While I have enjoyed the use of layers and clones, there are several down- sides that I thought I'd list in the form of wishes for the future. I am sure there are ways to do these things, and misconceptions on my part, it's just the way I came-at the thing.
THE LIST 1. Rotate entire page - the plan is designed square, but the house is seated at an angle. Nice to be able to see the house angled, but continue to design square.
2. Clones break when you move them to new layers. If you cut/paste them, or just shift pgup/pgdown them, all clones become groups.
3. It would be super if "symbols" (original groups that are used as clones) could be kept in a separate .svg file and referred-to within other svg files. That way, the symbols don't have to be *in* every file that uses those clones.
4. Measurements: If there were at least a ruler tool that could be measured in length (at any angle) rather than the width/height of it's bounding square, it would really help in designing accurately when things don't remain square. Better yet, a way to get the length of a section of an element - perhaps by selecting nodes and having it show the lengths in a readout somewhere. Or, when you draw a line it could show the length along with the other usual info.
5. A tool to measure that draws lines with arrow ends and includes a label which you can control to display units as you need. For example, I used 10 px = 1 m on my drawing. So I would like to see measurement lines saying: <--- 10m ---> That would mean I get to enter a conversion formula somewhere so that it prints the correct value and unit.
6. 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.
7. A tool whereby you can draw a path and have it calculate the area under it, with a pull-out label showing the area (again with unit and conversion properties).
7.5 (I just remembered) It would be nifty if a kind of "spreadsheetyness" could infiltrate Inkscape. For example, I often wanted to add a list of areas (that I manually calculated and noted as text objects here and there) together and display a total area in a text object on another layer. If that could be automated by variables and formula... Just imagine!
8. A way to group objects *across* multiple layers: I wanted to clone my entire plan which has many layers (one for lights, one for doors, one for walls, etc.) so that I could rotate it to face North-East. I wanted to be able to work within the original group and have the clone reflect the changes in scale, shape and movement I make. But as soon as I group my plan, all the layers snap to one layer.
9. Node aligning: 1) Align to bottom/top/left/right as opposed to an average align to the middle of all the nodes selected. 2) Select more than one object and select nodes across them and align. Great for lining walls up when they are not one path.
10. A way to export the selected item(s) out to an svg file. I find that copy/paste between Inkscape instances on Kubuntu just plain does not work. So I end up making "cut.svg" files with one item in it so I can import that to the next file. Boring really. So being able to pull something out of a busy file and send it to a file would speed that.
11. Layers: For both lock and visible; a way to on/off all at once, also a way to affect the "others" - for example: "hide all other layers".
12. Layers: A way to view a particular layer as an outline while the others show fills etc.
13. Layers: A way to have guides on a per-layer basis. I often wanted guides for the walls and different guides for sundry things and there are just too many guides to use properly. I suppose I could draw lines on a layer and snap to them, but it's not the same as guides.
14. Dialogues: It would be super if one could close a dialogue by hitting ESC.
That's my list. I've prob. forgotten some. Many of these things should not be an SVG version clash -- they are something Inkscape could do in the background to make life easier. (Except, perhaps, wish 7.5)
\d
As an engineer, I like Inkscape because it is NOT like CAD (I like the simplicity and free form nature), though I do enjoy some of the newer features that bring Visio and Sketchup type abilities. However, some of the things you are looking for are possible (see below) and you are welcome and encouraged to contribute patches for anything else you would like. Some things could be done with the python extension script capabilities.
Donn wrote:
Inkscape wishlist - October 2007 Curr. version 1.45.1 on Kubuntu Dapper Drake.
Please forgive the intrusion, perhaps this will be of use to someone and maybe it'll spark a thread of ideas. (Is there a more appropriate place to submit wish-lists?)
I have recently been designing our house using inkscape to do the top-view plan. I have found it far more flexible than the only other option, Qcad. While I have enjoyed the use of layers and clones, there are several down- sides that I thought I'd list in the form of wishes for the future. I am sure there are ways to do these things, and misconceptions on my part, it's just the way I came-at the thing.
THE LIST
- Rotate entire page - the plan is designed square, but the house is seated
at an angle. Nice to be able to see the house angled, but continue to design square.
Have you tried selecting all the objects, grouping and then rotating ?
- Clones break when you move them to new layers. If you cut/paste them, or
just shift pgup/pgdown them, all clones become groups.
- It would be super if "symbols" (original groups that are used as clones)
could be kept in a separate .svg file and referred-to within other svg files. That way, the symbols don't have to be *in* every file that uses those clones.
then you start to have file dependency hell. I do keep a separate file for my favorite symbols/drawn objects which I copy into various drawings. I want them to be a pure copy so I can modify them any way I want in that particular drawing.
- Measurements: If there were at least a ruler tool that could be measured in
length (at any angle) rather than the width/height of it's bounding square, it would really help in designing accurately when things don't remain square. Better yet, a way to get the length of a section of an element - perhaps by selecting nodes and having it show the lengths in a readout somewhere. Or, when you draw a line it could show the length along with the other usual info.
yes, a ruler tool would be nice, in fact, the whole SVG unit transformation specifications could use some work - feel free to contribute some ideas on this.
- A tool to measure that draws lines with arrow ends and includes a label
which you can control to display units as you need. For example, I used 10 px = 1 m on my drawing. So I would like to see measurement lines saying: <--- 10m ---> That would mean I get to enter a conversion formula somewhere so that it prints the correct value and unit. 6. 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. 7. A tool whereby you can draw a path and have it calculate the area under it, with a pull-out label showing the area (again with unit and conversion properties).
7.5 (I just remembered) It would be nifty if a kind of "spreadsheetyness" could infiltrate Inkscape. For example, I often wanted to add a list of areas (that I manually calculated and noted as text objects here and there) together and display a total area in a text object on another layer. If that could be automated by variables and formula... Just imagine!
Inkscape does allow lines with arrowheads - doesn't submit the measurements automatically but again it's not CAD, but is thankfully much simpler. All the "auto calculate" kind of stuff would make for a nice python extension.
- A way to group objects *across* multiple layers: I wanted to clone my
entire plan which has many layers (one for lights, one for doors, one for walls, etc.) so that I could rotate it to face North-East. I wanted to be able to work within the original group and have the clone reflect the changes in scale, shape and movement I make. But as soon as I group my plan, all the layers snap to one layer.
- Node aligning:
- Align to bottom/top/left/right as opposed to an average align to the
middle of all the nodes selected. 2) Select more than one object and select nodes across them and align. Great for lining walls up when they are not one path.
- A way to export the selected item(s) out to an svg file. I find that
copy/paste between Inkscape instances on Kubuntu just plain does not work. So I end up making "cut.svg" files with one item in it so I can import that to the next file. Boring really. So being able to pull something out of a busy file and send it to a file would speed that.
Cut and paste between files does work - you just have to open the 2nd file from within the first file
Hi,
As an engineer, I like Inkscape because it is NOT like CAD (I like the simplicity and free form nature)
Sure. I am not a pro, just a bloke trying to layout my house with free software. I tried Qcad, but it's just too exhausting to use!
- Rotate entire page - the plan is designed square, but the house is
seated at an angle. Nice to be able to see the house angled, but continue to design square.
Have you tried selecting all the objects, grouping and then rotating ?
Sure, but then I can't measure anything anymore. You see I am using width and height of the selected objects (divided by 10) to get a size in meters. I am also using the grid and snap so that I can work to some kind of scale. As soon as one rotates stuff--bang!--it all goes to pot.
- It would be super if "symbols" (original groups that are used as
clones) could be kept in a separate .svg file and referred-to within other svg files. That way, the symbols don't have to be *in* every file that uses those clones.
then you start to have file dependency hell. I do keep a separate file for my favorite symbols/drawn objects which I copy into various drawings. I want them to be a pure copy so I can modify them any way I want in that particular drawing.
Well, I have experienced this long years past with Flash, but it's really about your personal file organization habits. I won't have a problem keeping control.
7.5 (I just remembered) It would be nifty if a kind of "spreadsheetyness" could infiltrate Inkscape. For example, I often wanted to add a list of areas (that I manually calculated and noted as text objects here and there) together and display a total area in a text object on another layer. If that could be automated by variables and formula... Just imagine!
Inkscape does allow lines with arrowheads - doesn't submit the measurements automatically but again it's not CAD, but is thankfully much simpler. All the "auto calculate" kind of stuff would make for a nice python extension.
Can the python extension be used to create new tools? A cad-like measuring tool that labels the length would be cool.
copy/paste between Inkscape instances on Kubuntu just plain does not work. So I end up making "cut.svg" files with one item in it so I can import that to the next file. Boring really. So being able to pull something out of a busy file and send it to a file would speed that.
Cut and paste between files does work - you just have to open the 2nd file from within the first file
Oh! Wow. I never suspected that. I knew it worked sometimes and then not, but I never made that connection. Great help that, thanks.
\d
On 10/13/07, Donn wrote:
Sure, but then I can't measure anything anymore. You see I am using width and height of the selected objects (divided by 10) to get a size in meters. I am also using the grid and snap so that I can work to some kind of scale. As soon as one rotates stuff--bang!--it all goes to pot.
So you rather want canvas rotation to see your design from other angle?
Alexandre
On 10/13/07, Donn <donn.ingle@...400...> wrote:
- Clones break when you move them to new layers. If you cut/paste them, or
just shift pgup/pgdown them, all clones become groups.
That's strange. Please file a bug with the example file and steps to reproduce.
- Measurements: If there were at least a ruler tool that could be measured in
length (at any angle) rather than the width/height of it's bounding square, it would really help in designing accurately when things don't remain square. Better yet, a way to get the length of a section of an element - perhaps by selecting nodes and having it show the lengths in a readout somewhere. Or, when you draw a line it could show the length along with the other usual info.
Of course you can if you use Pen tool, and you can even use Pen for measuring distances and angles. Click in one point, move around, looking in the statusbar. If you don't want to create a path, just press Esc.
- 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.
- A way to group objects *across* multiple layers: I wanted to clone my
entire plan which has many layers (one for lights, one for doors, one for walls, etc.) so that I could rotate it to face North-East. I wanted to be able to work within the original group and have the clone reflect the changes in scale, shape and movement I make. But as soon as I group my plan, all the layers snap to one layer.
That's not possible, because groups and layers are XML elements, and XML elements cannot overlap, only nest into one another.
- Clones break when you move them to new layers. If you cut/paste them,
or just shift pgup/pgdown them, all clones become groups.
That's strange. Please file a bug with the example file and steps to reproduce.
Right okay. I'll give it a go.
Of course you can if you use Pen tool, and you can even use Pen for measuring distances and angles. Click in one point, move around, looking in the statusbar. If you don't want to create a path, just press Esc.
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. Extending that idea, a display to show the length of the path between selected nodes -- from the first selected to the last. 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. 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.)
- 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 :)
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. It could be in the form of "pull-outs," pointing a line to the item, with a box of info attached. Extending that; one could setup "relationships" between the data. For example I could have three rects that each have an area; the three could be summed and the total could be dumped into the "input" of a text object; thus the text object will show the total. All formatted in a pythonic "%d meters" kind of way. Who knows where that could go... Fill A is influenced by Fill B, is influenced by the scale of C and D !
Oh, I'm just foaming at the brain. Ignore me :)
- A way to group objects *across* multiple layers: I wanted to clone my
entire plan which has many layers (one for lights, one for doors, one for walls, etc.) so that I could rotate it to face North-East. I wanted to be able to work within the original group and have the clone reflect the changes in scale, shape and movement I make. But as soon as I group my plan, all the layers snap to one layer.
That's not possible, because groups and layers are XML elements, and XML elements cannot overlap, only nest into one another.
I kind of thought as much. It was a last-ditch idea to compensate for no canvas rotation.
\d
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.
We could do with much more information about notes, objects and other things being made available somehow or as options to select someplace that this information be placed into the status bar when required.
I'd however love to see a more direct visualisation such as this example I just mock'ed up:
http://pastebin.div0.co.za/results/B63EF2F5G.html
Best Regards, Martin Owens
I'd however love to see a more direct visualisation such as this example I just mock'ed up:
Sweet - that's nice. Does the extension imitate that? I mean, when you move the nodes etc? Perhaps it can be changed. I haven't had time to play with it yet. Still, I think that kind of "meta-info" to a path should be a matter of on/off, not so much extension voodoo :)
\d
Bulia, Thanks for taking the time to engage with my suggestions. I'm happy to hear you'll take some up. As to the measuring extension, I'll play with it some and get used to it before I say anything else.
\d
bulia byak wrote:
On 10/13/07, Donn <donn.ingle@...400...> wrote:
- A way to group objects *across* multiple layers: I wanted to clone my
entire plan which has many layers (one for lights, one for doors, one for walls, etc.) so that I could rotate it to face North-East. I wanted to be able to work within the original group and have the clone reflect the changes in scale, shape and movement I make. But as soon as I group my plan, all the layers snap to one layer.
That's not possible, because groups and layers are XML elements, and XML elements cannot overlap, only nest into one another.
Is this really not possible? For it to be possible group must me something orthogonal to <g /> in SVG. Perhaps it could mean something more like @class attributes as used with CSS. An element in Inkscape could be tagged with one or more classes in an inkscape:class="" attribute. This tagging could be used to better the user experience in a number of ways, like translating objects across multiple layers. Perhaps someday someone will scratch such an itch.
Aaron Spike
On 10/14/07, Aaron Spike <aaron@...749...> wrote:
Is this really not possible? For it to be possible group must me something orthogonal to <g /> in SVG. Perhaps it could mean something more like @class attributes as used with CSS. An element in Inkscape could be tagged with one or more classes in an inkscape:class="" attribute. This tagging could be used to better the user experience in a number of ways, like translating objects across multiple layers. Perhaps someday someone will scratch such an itch.
That would be not a group but saved selection - search rfe tracker for "saved selection", I did a detailed writeup on that a while ago.
On 10/14/07, bulia byak <buliabyak@...400...> wrote:
On 10/14/07, Aaron Spike <aaron@...749...> wrote:
Is this really not possible? For it to be possible group must me something orthogonal to <g /> in SVG. Perhaps it could mean something more like @class attributes as used with CSS. An element in Inkscape could be tagged with one or more classes in an inkscape:class="" attribute. This tagging could be used to better the user experience in a number of ways, like translating objects across multiple layers. Perhaps someday someone will scratch such an itch.
That would be not a group but saved selection - search rfe tracker for "saved selection", I did a detailed writeup on that a while ago.
One of the main Engineering analysis packages I use has the same sort of issues, as elements can only be in one collector (thier equivalent of our groups) The way they've got round it is much as your suggesting, groups remain exclusive, but you can set up reference sets which can include items from as many collectors as you like.
participants (7)
-
Aaron Spike -
Alexandre Prokoudine -
bulia byak -
Donn -
john cliff -
Martin Owens -
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