1) Not yet, nobody felt the need to implement it. It is a straightforward job to do it, so if you really need it, it will be a simple task.
2 and 3) You probably should start using "py2geom" (a python variant of the geometry library that Inkscape uses). It is still in development, but we are friendly folks that are happy to help you :)
4) I don't think this is possible with a pattern fill. Probably you would have to place all the dots 'manually'.
Cheers, Johan
From: Jon [mailto:jon@...2711...] Sent: 22 May 2010 15:26 To: Inkscape User Community Subject: [Inkscape-user] Possibilities with Inkscape extensions
1) Is it possible to specify a slider-type input tool in an INX file? 2) Is there a Python command or a routine in one of the Python extension supporting files (simplepath, etc.) to detect whether a point lies within the bounds of a closed shape? 3) Is there an available routine to determine the area of a closed shape? 3) Are there any simple ways to detect collision / distance between dots? I'd like to implement something similar to the 'Remove Overlaps' capability available within the 'Align and Distribute' dialog as part of the routine generating the dots, but with a single (polar - sqrt(x^2 * y^2)) variable related to the user-selected dot density determining how close the dots can be placed to each other. I can see this getting complex when the area, and hence the number of dots, gets large. 4) Getting more complex, would it be possible to have a gradient-filled shape and vary the density of dots dependent on the gradient?