Outset and Dynamic Offset behave differently on corners
Migrated from https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/167843
Steps to reproduce:
- Make a polygon with sharp corners (for example with star tool, corners not rounded)
- (Optionally) Set Outset to appropriate (bigger than very small default) value
- Apply Outset to shape (note sharp corners retained)
- Undo back to original shape
- Apply Dynamic Offset to shape and draw handle outside a bit (note formerly sharp corners will become rounded)
What happened?
Using "Outset" sharp corners/angles are retained as corners while using "Dynamic Offset" rounds off object's corners.
What should have happened?
There's the rub. Both should have an option to decide "round" or "square".
Inkscape Version and Operating System:
- Inkscape Version: from 2006 up until latest version
- Operating System and version: ?? (tested on 1.0beta2 (074b463, 2020-02-02), macOS 10.12.6 (16G2136)
Example file:
https://launchpadlibrarian.net/11022271/hard-vs-soft-outset.svg
Additional Information/Comments:
Original submitter Rubikcube wrote:
Of course, there might be the need for both types of behaviour (rounded/not rounded). But why not put this choice into a variable in the global preferences? Hard and soft changing (desctructive vs. non-destructive) could be handled the same way. Thus all combinations of behaviours could easily be used by scripts.
Observation: all of the offsets, while very useful, are not unlike "Filters > Blur" found in various bitmap image processors...nobody really uses "Blur", opting for the "Gaussian Blur" filter with an options dialog for finer control. I'm not saying nobody uses the Path offset options; they are all excellent and necessary tools in the Inkscape toolchain. I'm just noting they would be that much more powerful with an options dialog or possibly merely an toggle/text area up in the Node toolbar.