User-defined patterns must be defined at 0:0

Edit: 2020-10-05

This is more a "papercut" than a bug. I'm sure there is some convoluted SVG/XML/Inkscape/Wiccan reason for the behaviour about to be described. You know what I say? Who cares? I'm all about the UX!

Steps to reproduce:

  • Create a closed object/path
  • Import a bitmap image of your choice, or create something to be used as a pattern directly in Inkscape
  • Object > Pattern > Object to Pattern
  • Fill object with newly defined pattern
  • Switch to the Node tool to adjust pattern

What happened?

pattern_handles

What should have happened?

Glad you asked! Inkscape imports/embeds/links a bitmap importable graphic wherever it likes in the viewport (on the page, off the page, wherever), yet for that bitmap graphic to be properly converted to a pattern, it should be at coordinates 0:0, otherwise the transformation handles play hide and seek with the user.

I was going to file this issue as "Bitmap user-defined patterns have no transform handles"...until I zoomed way way way out. There's absolutely no mention of this behaviour anywhere in any documentation!

Now that I know this yet-another "secret handshake", I'll remember to create patterns at 0:0. But I shouldn't have to. Know your audience. Logic does not apply here. Don't make the user fight with the application.

Please, corrections are always encouraged. Otherwise, if you are so inclined to reply, take into consideration the previous paragraph. Thank you.

Love,
greytomorrow

Version Info:

- Inkscape Version: 1.1-dev (b39e6d56, 2020-09-19)/1.1-dev (7802ed9, 2020-09-04)/1.0(1.0+r73+1)
- Operating System: macOS 10.13.6 (17G12034), Ubuntu 18.04.4 LTS
Edited by grey tomorrow