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    Path Simplifier Tool same as Smooth Tool in Illustrator?

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    • VectorStylerV Offline
      VectorStyler @Boldline
      last edited by

      @Boldline To smooth over the whole stroke, use the Object -> Simplify Path command. This will smooth selected strokes.

      There is also a stroke width smooth tool, to smooth out width profiles.

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      • 861475_VctSt8 Offline
        861475_VctSt @Boldline
        last edited by

        @Boldline
        @Vectoradmin

        I think it is different from that of Illustrator.
        The Simplifier Tool in the current version (1.0.039) does not seem to be working.
        What do you think?

        However, the menu command does work.
        [ Object->Simplify Path ].

        Here's what I see.
        It seems to be a function of Clipping, Appxromate, and Curvature as a whole, rather than smoothing the desired area.
        It does not give a prediction of how many nodes can be reduced.

        LIc. 0 OS10.15.8
        MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2012) / Intel Core i5, 8GB / Intel HD Graphics 4000
        LIc. 1 OS15.7.4
        MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2023) / Apple M2 Pro, 16GB / Apple GPU

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        • BoldlineB Online
          Boldline @861475_VctSt
          last edited by Boldline

          @vectoradmin - I tried out the object>simplify path panel and I can see value in what you have put together. It will take me some time to figure out what settings give the best results. @861475_VctSt makes a good point about Illustrator's simplify path option; the focus there is to reduce nodes on a path that are unnecessary to maintain the current curvature of the path. If this already exists in your simplify path panel and I missed it - let me know. I think this could be an option added to the existing object>simplify path panel, like a partitioned segment below what you have now.
          The simplifier tool itself from the toolbar does not seem to be working as was mentioned before. But if I understand the tool correctly, this adjusts the sizing and graduation of the width itself - it does not reset the path trajectory, correct?

          I would advocate for a smooth tool option to be added similar to Illustrator's smooth tool - in that you can scrub certain sections of an existing path and it will smooth out that section only. I use this all the time in Illustrator - sometimes part of a stroke needs a little finesse. Here is a little video in Illusttator showing the smooth tool in action.
          A tool like this (what illustrator offers) helps meld the technical with the artistic in the user. Me being a professional artist - when I use VS or Illustrator, or any vector app, I want the ability to take advantage of the technical aspects of vector work, but also leave room for creativity and less technical at other times. So for example, the existing object>simplify path panel is great... but it doesn't currently leave much room for artistic edits - going in and fine tuning a section of the path based on the artist's eye. Hopefully that makes sense!

          🍎 macOS Tahoe 26.2, Mac mini (M1, 2020), Chip Apple M1, Memory 16 GB
          Cintiq 27QHD Display and LG Ultra HD Display

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          • BoldlineB Online
            Boldline @Boldline
            last edited by

            @vectoradmin Checking in on this one. Is it possible at some point now or later to have the ability to smooth out a path by "hand" - not just the ability to smooth the width of a stroke or do a generalized computer sourced smoothing?
            I use this feature in Illustrator a lot for quick tweaking of strokes I want to adjust the curve to slightly... in Illustrator there are sensitivity settings for how much impact a single "stroke" of the cursor gives the path. The more you stroke the path with the tool, the more the effect is made to it - smoothing it more.

            🍎 macOS Tahoe 26.2, Mac mini (M1, 2020), Chip Apple M1, Memory 16 GB
            Cintiq 27QHD Display and LG Ultra HD Display

            VectorStylerV 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • VectorStylerV Offline
              VectorStyler @Boldline
              last edited by

              @Boldline I will have to study this a bit more, to understand the differences.

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              • VectorStylerV Offline
                VectorStyler @861475_VctSt
                last edited by

                @861475_VctSt The Path Simplifier tool is working here (1.0.043):
                0_1627146527964_smoothtool.png

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                • BoldlineB Online
                  Boldline @VectorStyler
                  last edited by

                  @vectoradmin It's possible I could be missing something.
                  Here is an example of me using the Path Simplifier Tool as best I know how 🙂 in VS
                  I'm seeing very slight edits to the line smoothness. I'm focused at this point on literally smoothing out the direction of the path

                  Here is an example of what I am doing in Illustrator that I am hoping I can also accomplish inside VS
                  Each time I go over the edge of the shape - the part of the path I go over smooths out some based on how sensitive I make the settings in the dialog box.
                  This is a more "artistic" tool - in that it's not using the computer and VS to "compute" a level of smoothness for the whole path - but I can go in and tweak and modify sections of the path myself
                  Let me know if this helps explain what I'm saying better
                  If VS already does this and I'm missing it - let me know. There's so much awesome stuff in here that I'm finding out about each day I practice with it.

                  🍎 macOS Tahoe 26.2, Mac mini (M1, 2020), Chip Apple M1, Memory 16 GB
                  Cintiq 27QHD Display and LG Ultra HD Display

                  VectorStylerV 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • VectorStylerV Offline
                    VectorStyler @Boldline
                    last edited by

                    @Boldline This clarifies the issue. VS does not do this type of smoothing.
                    I added this to the backlog as a new feature, I'm not sure it can make it into the next build, but it has high priority.

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                    • BoldlineB Online
                      Boldline @VectorStyler
                      last edited by

                      @vectoradmin Thank you! It's a minor tool but it is a nice to have for tweaking small things

                      🍎 macOS Tahoe 26.2, Mac mini (M1, 2020), Chip Apple M1, Memory 16 GB
                      Cintiq 27QHD Display and LG Ultra HD Display

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                      • BoldlineB Online
                        Boldline @Boldline
                        last edited by

                        @vectoradmin When you add it, it could probably go in the same place the path simplifer is now - or it could be a built in part of the path simplifier and make it a toggle or option as to how it gets used. Just my thoughts

                        🍎 macOS Tahoe 26.2, Mac mini (M1, 2020), Chip Apple M1, Memory 16 GB
                        Cintiq 27QHD Display and LG Ultra HD Display

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