'Expand stroke' vector function'?

[Tom Fulery]

Does Photoline have a basic vector feature which in other vector apps is called "Expand Stroke"? Essentially, it enlarges a vector object incrementally.

A similar effect can be done by outlining the vector object, but the 'Expand Stroke' function actually increases the size of the vector object.

Or is it possible to outline the vector object and then incorporate the outline as part of the object'?

Since Photoline seems to do everything, I'm sure Photoline does it somehow, but I can't figure out how to do it & can't find anything about it in the user manual.

Thanks!

[photoken]

Does Photoline have a basic vector feature which in other vector apps is called "Expand Stroke"? Essentially, it enlarges a vector object incrementally.

How is that different than simply increasing the line width?

[Tom Fulery]

Thanks for the reply..

'Expand Stroke' is different than simply widening the outline because it actually enlarges the vector object itself. It makes a difference if you need to modify it, apply an effect, etc. Also, once you've enlarged the object you can then outline this larger object. You can't do that if you simply make the outline bigger since you can't outline the outline. For example, if you want to make a logo or feature text much bolder and then add an outline to the bolder text.

This is a standard function in most graphics programs. Photoshop, illustrator, Inkscape, Freehand, Affinity Design, etc. all do it. Even amateur apps like iDraw can do it. In some apps it simply enlarges the vector object. In others, like Affinity Design, it creates two objects; the original object and the outline as a separate object, which can also be useful.

I would be VERY surprised if Photoline can't do it since Photoline seems to be able to do damn near everything. But I can't figure out how to do it & I can't find anything about it in the manual or Help menu.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated...

[photoken]

Then why not simply enlarge the vector object? Use Layer...Scale Layer.

[Herbert123]

Yes, a stroke can be expanded. Select a stroke, and choose Layout-->Vector-->Vector Outline.

However, this command does not function quite the same as the expand command in other applications - you will lose the fill, although this can be remedied easily by assigning a different fill.

If you require more control, I found the app link an incredibly useful option. Install Inkscape, and create the app link to Inkscape. Then send the vector layer to Inkscape (as a SVG layer), and the object will be imported into Inkscape as an expanded version. Use the node tool to adjust things if you wish, and save the file. Switch to Photoline, and PL will automatically update the vector layer - and turns it into a group with two elements: the stroke (which is expanded) and a fill layer.

Very handy. And the link remains live: which means any edit you make in Inkscape and save is updated in PL when you activate it.

[greenmorpher]

I'm actually not quite getting what we are trying to do here. I don't do anything vector in PL -- reserving all such work for Canvas. But I try to follow discussion bout Vector work in PL with a view to using it should it prove useful.

In Canvas, you have a "Scale" command in the Objects menu which provides you with the ability to scale your figure by percentage, a ratio, or absolute, and keep it proportional or not, and in the Effects menu there is the "Offset Path" (outline) item which allows you to offset a path a distance you specify and with the number of copies you specify.

Is that covering the kind of thing we are talking about here?

Cheers, Geoff

[greenmorpher]

I should also add that in Canvas, you can increase the weight of the stroke and position it inside the path, across the path, or outside the path -- but you cannot outline this outline, as it were.

There are also a few possibilities for altering the shape of the path to e.g. tapered ends.

Cheers, Geoff