move objects concentrically, without scaling (wishlist)
Migrated From: https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/1629688
New Feature Request / Wishlist
I would like to be able to move objects in a concentric direction, without scaling them.
Currently, objects can be moved this way by activating the transform handles with the Node tool. However, it also scales them at the same time. Actually, the purpose of the transform handles is to scale objects, and it ends up moving them in the process. But in any case, I don't want any scaling, only moving objects which are arranged in a circle, inward or outward, and hopefully, all at once.
Please see attached radial-move.svg
So I would like to be able to move those blue objects inward towards the center of their circle, or outward away from their center, without scaling them. Also, please see screenshot coc.png:
I would like to be able to move the 12 circles in the inner, smaller circle of circles outward just a tiny bit, so that they touch the 12 circles in the larger concentric outer circle of circles. Or vice versa, move the circles in the outer circle inward towards the smaller concentric circle of circles.
Discussion from original report, summarized
It was suggested that the Polar Coordinates feature of Arrange dialog might do what I want. It seems to be able to arrange objects in a circle, but not to move them, if they are already in a circle. In my testing, if the objects are already arranged in a circle, it doesn't work to give them a new larger or smaller circle to target. Even if the Rotate option is not selected, it rotates them. I suspect it's because it's moving each object according to the z-order, or some other order (in which they are not already ordered) and places them sequentially, which effectively rotates them.
It was also suggested that Rotate Copies LPE might do what I want. It does sort of move objects in a concentric direction, but I can't figure out how to control it for my purpose, or use precision.
Current technique
Currently to do this, I have to set up guidelines like spokes in a wheel, and a circle, and snap each object (either the center of each object, or some node on the object) to the intersection of the guide and the circle. It's quite tedious to do more than once or twice in a single drawing.
How to implement?
I can't really discuss how to implement it, since I'm not a programmer. But by the way Rotate Copies LPE works, it looks like it might be possible to do it with an LPE. I found a web app which accomplishes this with javascript (I think it's javascript) http://www.raincloud.co.uk/svg/svgSector_C.html I find it hard to be precise though.
Thanks for listening!