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ms
Joined: 14 Apr 2004
Posts: 613
Location: Naples, Florida
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 Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 9:48 am Post subject: Continuous Arc Tool |
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I use the Arc Tool to connect plants on my construction drawings. I would like a new version of this tool, perhaps a 'Continuous Arc Tool', to behave in a manner similar to the Continuous Line Tool.
I ran the idea by Alfred- he loves new ideas- but he feels there won't be much demand for this. I suggested posting here, to see who would find this tool useful, or maybe has a better idea on how to achieve the goal.
And the goal in graphic form is here:
www.msadesign.com/arc_tool.jpg
This is a sketch showing how the Continuous Line Tool works, how the Arc Tool works, and how the proposed Continuous Arc Tool would work.
ms |
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Derek
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 567
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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| Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Have you tried using a Beziers instead of arcs? |
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ms
Joined: 14 Apr 2004
Posts: 613
Location: Naples, Florida
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| Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Derek wrote: | | Have you tried using a Beziers instead of arcs? |
Hi Derek,
Thanks. Yes I have; and while the Beziers give an extra element of character, they require as payment an additional hand movement at the control point.
The central thrust of my suggestion is that it's a simple way to show an arc- admittedly, without much control- between plant material symbols. I've used the Continuous Line: it's clean, but no feeling.
I've used the Three-Point Arc, which is fine, but again involves that extra step, although it can be useful when you need to go around something in the drawing.
Nope. The Continuous Arc gives exactly what is needed, which is a line with some expression connecting the dots.
ms |
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MikeCharek
Joined: 14 Apr 2004
Posts: 160
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| Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 6:45 am Post subject: Continuous arc tool |
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| The "continuous arc" tool could also be used to good effect on architectural lighting plans, to link up several fixtures with each other and to a switch. |
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pbacot
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 845
Location: Northern California
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| Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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What about the arc extension tool. It's pretty fun to do one arc to the next.
I mean... If it's not what you're looking for, at least it's "fun".
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Peter B |
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pbacot
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 845
Location: Northern California
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| Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 3:03 pm Post subject: |
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I admit the arc extension tool is only if you want tangent arcs.
It may be that the "continuous" arc tool should be a sketch tool. I think there would be more use of it presented as a way to add lightly curved strokes quickly as in sketching.
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Peter B |
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huc
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 660
Location: ::caddpower.com:: (Aurora, CO)
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| Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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| pbacot wrote: | | may be that the "continuous" arc tool should be a sketch tool. I think there would be more use of it presented as a way to add lightly curved strokes quickly as in sketching. |
Good idea - in fact it's already there with the sketch tools; arc by chord tool. Just turn off the shakey line setting; or not... if you like that over caffinated look and feel 
other options that come to mind to make the process being discussed very seamless (and provide several working methods to choose from):
• free hand bézier tool
• arc by chord tool
• elliptical arc tool
• brush tool (WT Sketch tools)
there are likely others if I put my mind to it...
I find the Free Hand bézier tool to be very fluid - particularly with a tablet and stylus - for a whole array of tasks. |
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Ed Groh
Joined: 14 Apr 2004
Posts: 23
Location: Lebanon, Ohio
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| Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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Just curious, what's the purpose of connecting the planting symbols?
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Ed |
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ms
Joined: 14 Apr 2004
Posts: 613
Location: Naples, Florida
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| Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 4:19 am Post subject: |
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Ed,
You connect plants with the same specification.
For example, all of the 3" Oaks are connected so you only have to type the spec once, along with the quantity.
ms |
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poolvibe
Joined: 16 Apr 2004
Posts: 338
Location: My Lair
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| Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 7:52 am Post subject: |
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Try the spline tool it would work perfect for this.....
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www.shouldbefree.net |
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ms
Joined: 14 Apr 2004
Posts: 613
Location: Naples, Florida
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| Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 8:01 am Post subject: |
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this is actually a great idea; not as clean as the arc tool, but a pretty good notion.
I'll try it and see how it works out on a few projects.
thanks.
ms
[and another example of a tool never used for which there is good reason to dust off and see if it fits into current work patterns. Move Points is another example of a wonderful tool that I never used until recently]. |
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ms
Joined: 14 Apr 2004
Posts: 613
Location: Naples, Florida
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| Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 8:00 am Post subject: |
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OK, I used the spline tool, and in some situations it produces a nice resut.
However, it can't make radical bends very well without more than one point to assure that it passes through the center of the tree, and it's hard to edit.
So, I still want the Continuous Arc Tool 
ms |
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huc
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 660
Location: ::caddpower.com:: (Aurora, CO)
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| Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 9:02 am Post subject: free hand bézier or arc by chord |
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| Quote: | | However, it can't make radical bends very well without more than one point to assure that it passes through the center of the tree, and it's hard to edit. |
As noted in another post, the FreeHand B or Arc by Chord Tools are a fast and easy way to tackle this sort of task. As demonstrated here, the FreeHand Bézier tool can easily create any path to connect the dots or edited to any shape. The Arc by Chord tool also works, much like using a circle template when drafting by hand. Arc by Chord has the added advantage of allowing all the points to be set dynamically, allowing it to easily adapt to different on centre spacings and setting the chord length to avoid drawing obstacles. |
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