Support a Blob type of vector brush

Subpath

Yes, I know that and I have already mentioned it,
but I find this behavior a bit curious

EricP

@Subpath thanks for the tip about shape nib.

I had tried earlier to change the shape on the toolbar when the path brush tool was active, but all it did was to replace the selected object by the shape, not change the brush nib.

Watching your video, I now understand that the shape must be selected with no canvas object selected so it can change the nib shape. Thanks

But using the feature, it doesn't apply the shape when dragging the path brush. It only seems to apply it when clicking on the border of an object, it then modifies the object shape with the selected tool shape.

Not very intuitive but still useful

Subpath

@EricP

You're welcome.

I also find it strange that you can't paint with the path brush tool
using the selected shape tip.

Btw. this option to select a shape that have previously been
assigned the shape role is available for many tools in VectorStyler,
you can always check to see if a shape selection is offered in the
setting of a tool.

You can also use this to create shape presets, for example. You
can also do this with the parametric shapes in VS, which remain
editable.

Here a video where change a shape used in a blend

EricP

@Subpath thanks for these tips.

Yes, I've tried to change the shape of some tools like the "Shaped Bump Tool" but did not find it to work as expected. Maybe I missed how to use it properly.

Coming back to the Path Brush tool, I really like what can be obtained with it, to imprint some patterns on the surface of shapes.

I experimented a bit and tried some modifier keys with it. I was hoping Alt would turn it into a Path Eraser but it doesn't.

However, a cool modifier is Shift, where if you shift-click with Path brush tool on a shape (doesn't have to have a shape role), the nib takes that shape. You can repeat over and over and get some kind of fractal construction where the path embeds smaller versions of itself.
here is an example : https://somup.com/cTQFl7P10Y

Boldline

@VectorStyler said in Support a Blob type of vector brush:

@Subpath said in Support a Blob type of vector brush:

When painting with the brush (not clicking) the top is always rounded.
Only when clicking you can use the selected shape

Is there a reason you don’t want to have it operate in that manner? From my perspective, I would find that option very useful. A lot of interesting things could be done if the painting aspect used the shape and was not just the default rounded.

VectorStyler

@Boldline said in Support a Blob type of vector brush:

Is there a reason you don’t want to have it operate in that manner?

When paining with the path brush, an expanded outline shape is created (calligraphy and variable width included).
But there is no method to using an arbitrary shape in this process. It is just no way to "define" it, unless I do some hacking.

EricP

@VectorStyler It's not the way it's working today but I agree with @Boldline it would be great to be able to "paint" with a shape

The way I imagine it is you drag the mouse and VS inserts+merges shapes continuously (at intervals), like if you were clicking after each small position offset

like this : https://somup.com/cTQF2FP1a9

Subpath

@VectorStyler

I don't think any user here would want to pressure you into any kind
of hacking. Is just we don't know in full the mechanism behind.

As for me, I can live with the current situation. Once I know how
something works, i have no problem to act accordingly.

Subpath

@EricP

... However, a cool modifier is Shift, where if you shift-click with Path brush tool on a shape (doesn't have to have a shape role), the nib takes that shape. You can repeat over and over and get some kind of fractal construction where the path embeds smaller versions of itself ....

Interesting, did not know that.

Bitten

Put a video together to better show the 3 main problems with this software still
https://youtu.be/Pb7otS5bovU

It's definitely close but right now not quite where it needs to be.

VectorStyler

@Bitten What kind of tablet is used there?

Bitten

@VectorStyler Wacom Movink 13

VectorStyler

@Bitten said in Support a Blob type of vector brush:

@VectorStyler Wacom Movink 13

I will try to fix these issues as soon as possible.

Bitten

@VectorStyler Legendary! If you can get these issues fixed I can finally after 10 years of waiting graduate to a modern graphics software.

VectorStyler

@Bitten The tablet support on Windows has been somewhat difficult.

EricP

@VectorStyler I found the tablet support working quite well on MacOS. The pen "nib" blue overlay stays at contant size, but the drawing follows pressure quite accurately and in real time, which is very usable.

Here with an ipad and Apple pencil used in sidecar mode : https://somup.com/cTQqlTPjuN

Bitten

@VectorStyler Understood, if there's anything you need me to help with re: testing potential fixes etc. just let me know

VectorStyler

@Bitten said in Support a Blob type of vector brush:

I'm trying to replicate these issues with a Wacom Intuos tablet.
I have problems with replicating the pinch zoom issue.

Is the "Use Windows Ink" enabled for you?
Also: did you enable (or disable) the "Use Tablet Driver" in VectorStyler Settings -> Application section?

VectorStyler

@Bitten I added some fixes to the tablet handling:

brush should preview width by default
clicking on tools should work with the tablet

But I could not replicate the multitouch pinch issue

Bitten

@VectorStyler Hey sorry for some reason notifications stopped coming through to me on this thread so I missed your messages.

Use Tablet Drive is enabled
Windows Ink is enabled

Thanks for resolving those issues.

I still can't seem to get pinch / zoom working, are there any tests I can do to help diagnose the cause of this for the Wacom Movink? I have tried both enabled and disabled for use tablet driver with no observable difference to pinch zoom.