Is there a way to easlily make tapered vector lines ?

[scottb613]

Hi Folks,

One technical question I've struggled with in Jasc PSP 9.1 - does the newer software have a simple way to taper a vector line ??? I find the need quite often and what I've been doing is exporting that part of my project in "GNU Inkscape" as they have some pretty nifty tool to do just that... I'd prefer to find a single source solution...

Thanks...

Regards,
Scott

[LeviFiction]

Can you give a specific example?

If you're talking variable line-widths. No. PSP is barebones when it comes to vectors. I have always, personally, either just accepted the single width lines, or I've made full vector objects as the lines so I could manipulate how wide they were. Not easy at all.

If you're talking about how the ends look, you have a very specific limited set of ends that you can place on the vector lines using the line styles. Anything beyond that you need to construct for yourself and the end of each line.

[scottb613]

Hi Levi,

Thanks for the response...

Yeah - the first example is what I was looking to do... I paint 3D Models of aircraft - and they have all kinds of stripes... Ideally - the vector line should allow you to set pixel width - per node - with a smooth transition in between the two nodes of different widths... That would allow for graceful flowing tapered curve lines often used on modern aircraft paint schemes... I've used the same work around and it's pretty tedious trying to keep everything lined up...

Regards,
Scott

[photodrawken]

Scott,

Since you're already looking for a single-source solution, you should definitely take a look at my image editor of choice -- PhotoLine.

It has very sophisticated vector tools (for an image editor), and also does exactly what you're looking for:

The dialog window shows how an existing vector line (created with a mouse, in this example) can be easily modified to have a variable width. In addition, if you're drawing the vector lines by using a graphics tablet, you can vary the width according to the pressure applied with the pen! This capability is unavailable in any other graphics software on the planet, as far as I'm aware....

N.B., These are true vector lines, and not simply skinny vector shapes stretched out along a path (as is done in Inkscape and others.)

[scottb613]

Hi Ken,

That looks promising - I'll check it out - thanks for the info...


Regards,
Scott