I did not know how to find it out, so I registered to the forum to ask around.
I want to do the following: I have a shape, e.g a star, and I want to fill it with a sprirally form. If I distort a spiral using the path functions, I will not get equidistant sprirals, so I wanted to ask if there is another way to do this.
I want a continous line going from the inside to the outside along the star shape.
I have an image, but I'm not sure how to post it here. Etsy Listing with Example If you look at the 4th image there in the middle are the type of spirals I mean. Ultimately I want to use it with the embroidery extension inkstitch.
Interpolation is not really suitable for embroidery, as it's making a jump for the needle from interpolated to interpolated section. I'm aware that I can manually make a spiral fill but I hoped it exists already. Also it would be nice if it's not dependent on the shape but universal applicable. For the gcode tools would I need to program it anew for every shape? I 'm at complete loss in programming...
What would be necessary to make this a feature request?
Hello, Tina. Perhaps this idea may be helpful. It shows setting a clip with a star. And also, creating an object and applying it to a spiral path, and setting a clip again.
Some quick Google searching finds this Python coded for making an encapulating hexagon. (See the gif example under Hexagon inside Hexagon on the webpage.)
I know you are probably not a Python Programmer just as I am not. Yet perhaps this could give you a further idea or somene here in the Inkscape community could look at the code and come up with a solution. Though the code shows for a hexagon, I am sure it could be adapted to make a 6 sided star.
Thanks for this input. That's exactly what I would need. Do you know how to make this a feature request for Inkscape? Can anyone do this on the gitlab ?
Yes, all by hand. I took a star, duplicated it. Scaled the copy down. And then tried until I found a shape, that would work.
Combine the shapes, connect the end nodes and: here you are. It is a lot of work, though. And you could run into errors, once the shape gets smaller. (Look at this example, there is a flaw in the middle. ):
This is exactly what I was doing in first place in my second reply - but while it's easier with a hexagon you can go the extra mile by adding nodes in-between - selecting just these new rows (once you get the alignment straight) and scale them in for a spirally star shape:
Another possible idea to help you as you draw your individual lines.
Make multiple 6 sided stars and align them. Select them all. Create guides from them by choosing Objects > Object to Guides. Press B to select Bezier tool and creating your lines needed for your end result.
When I came here I did not expect so much response! Thanks so much for all your tipps!
It was clear for me that I can do this manually. Its very tedious if I have a lot of shapes to fill^^.
I would rather have a routine to click on, like the fill pattern which gives a gradient, but then I click line filling follow my shape. It would expect this not only for me but for a lot of other to be helpful in all our embroidery endevours with inkstitch. Sorry that I did not formulate my initial question accordingly.
Your question was crystal clear - but I don't know how-to do in in a 1 click manner with Inkscape´s implemented feature-set right now and I'm not talking about add-on, script and plug-ins as I'm not a developer by any means…
Use tiled clones to create nested duplicates of the original shape. Unlink the clones [shift+alt+d] and then use the node tool to break a path from each star. Select the nodes on one side and snap them to the corresponding inner nodes.
Good point PixelPest, but I won't concede that easily. You now have to draw 9 separate lines across the gaps to close your 10-turn spiral. 18 mouse clicks! In my method I select the nodes (1 click), then break all the paths (1 click), then drag the nodes together to their new positions (1 click). 3 mouse clicks total! And it's the same regardless of the number of spirals. I admit, I might need more than 1 click for node selections.
In these forums (fora?), I discover tools and workflows and shortcuts that never occurred to me. And sometimes a question pushes me to teach myself. I think everyone likes that "Aha!" moment when the flickering light bulb glows a bit brighter. Since the original post, I had a vague distant memory of trying and failing to do something similar. Following some mental rummaging and some hours of study and experiments I had my moment.
Inkscape has a built in tool to build spiral-filled stars in one step. Head on over to [Extensions > Render > L-system...] and copy the attached dialog settings. Turn on [Live preview] and play with the parameters. I attached a few alternates but the possibilities are endless.
Hi, Paddy_Cad. I remember using L Sytems in another software I have many years ago but never tried it within Inkscape and especially not like this. You have shared another great, winning idea! Thank you.
Hi Tina. I'm probably just a few pages ahead of you in L-systems for Dummies, but I suppose that's the first step to becoming an "expert".
The most important concept is that every letter represents a line segment. The choice of letter is irrelevant, as long as you're consistent. The "+" & "-" symbols represent a right turn and a left turn. "=" is an instruction to replace the letter on the left with the letter sequence on the right. Now let's walk through my first example above.
The [Axiom] is the first element drawn, in this case a single line segment A. The first rule "A=CBBBBB++BBBBBC-A" replaces the line segment A with series of line segments "CBBBBB", two right turns "++", another series of equal length "BBBBBC", a single left turn "-", and finally a single segment "A". With the left and right turns both set at 60 degrees this rule draws a single spoke of the six-point star and the first leg of the second spoke.
The last line segment "A" is important. If we repeat the rule, this will be replaced by a second spoke, then a third, fourth, etc. Six repetitions would draw a closed six-point star.
The second rule "C=BC" replaces every line segment "C" with two segments "BC", lengthening each spoke and changing the shape from a closed star to a spiral. At each step we add a spoke to our star and increase the length of all previous spokes. The number of repetitions is determined by the [order] value. Turn on [Live preview] to see how increasing the order makes the spiral grow.
This works well for shapes with regular repeating geometry but organic forms are normally too complex to be represented by a simple sequence of lines and turns. I tried to draw a simplified butterfly wing and gave up in frustration (admittedly after very little effort).
Beyond the Basics Spiral filling any shape
Inkscape.org
Dear Inkscape community
I did not know how to find it out, so I registered to the forum to ask around.
I want to do the following: I have a shape, e.g a star, and I want to fill it with a sprirally form. If I distort a spiral using the path functions, I will not get equidistant sprirals, so I wanted to ask if there is another way to do this.
Thanks,
Tina
Should the Star mask the Spiral or should spirals spread inside a star-shape or is the star a spiral by itself?
Hey!
I want a continous line going from the inside to the outside along the star shape.
I have an image, but I'm not sure how to post it here. Etsy Listing with Example If you look at the 4th image there in the middle are the type of spirals I mean. Ultimately I want to use it with the embroidery extension inkstitch.
Thanks PixelPest for your quick reply.
Tina
Hi Tina.
While interpolation (example on the right) is easy a real spiral star isn't - I can "construct" one - but it's tedious and not erroneous free.
I think I once used the "Gcodetools"-extension to fill an area with a spiraley stroke - but can't find it right now.
Interpolation is not really suitable for embroidery, as it's making a jump for the needle from interpolated to interpolated section. I'm aware that I can manually make a spiral fill but I hoped it exists already. Also it would be nice if it's not dependent on the shape but universal applicable. For the gcode tools would I need to program it anew for every shape? I 'm at complete loss in programming...
What would be necessary to make this a feature request?
Thanks PixelPest !
Tina
Hello, Tina. Perhaps this idea may be helpful. It shows setting a clip with a star. And also, creating an object and applying it to a spiral path, and setting a clip again.
Dear Ken,
Thanks so much for taking the time!
Sorry a clip is not suitable for my project, as the spiral need to be continuous to be able to embroider it.
On the corners of the star, with a clipping, I will always have a new point where my thread needs to start and end.
Embroidery needs to be continous.
Thanks
Tina
I found my example files but unfortunately it's not following the contour of the shape; it's either interpolating or stopping at the rim of the shape.
You could try changing the patters. Not a real star, but a star with connection to its smaller clone.
Have a look here:
Hey PixelPest,
This is a interesting option as well I like it for the heart, but it would be better to have connected lines. That would give a nice embroidery.
Gerald, that looks exactly like what I want.
How is this done ? Completely manually?
Thanks for all these kind inputs.
Tina
Some quick Google searching finds this Python coded for making an encapulating hexagon. (See the gif example under Hexagon inside Hexagon on the webpage.)
I know you are probably not a Python Programmer just as I am not. Yet perhaps this could give you a further idea or somene here in the Inkscape community could look at the code and come up with a solution. Though the code shows for a hexagon, I am sure it could be adapted to make a 6 sided star.
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/draw-shape-inside-shape-in-python-using-turtle/
Hi Ken
Thanks for this input. That's exactly what I would need. Do you know how to make this a feature request for Inkscape? Can anyone do this on the gitlab ?
Tina
Yes, all by hand. I took a star, duplicated it. Scaled the copy down. And then tried until I found a shape, that would work.
Combine the shapes, connect the end nodes and: here you are. It is a lot of work, though. And you could run into errors, once the shape gets smaller. (Look at this example, there is a flaw in the middle. ):
This is exactly what I was doing in first place in my second reply - but while it's easier with a hexagon you can go the extra mile by adding nodes in-between - selecting just these new rows (once you get the alignment straight) and scale them in for a spirally star shape:
Another possible idea to help you as you draw your individual lines.
Make multiple 6 sided stars and align them. Select them all. Create guides from them by choosing Objects > Object to Guides. Press B to select Bezier tool and creating your lines needed for your end result.
When I came here I did not expect so much response! Thanks so much for all your tipps!
It was clear for me that I can do this manually. Its very tedious if I have a lot of shapes to fill^^.
I would rather have a routine to click on, like the fill pattern which gives a gradient, but then I click line filling follow my shape. It would expect this not only for me but for a lot of other to be helpful in all our embroidery endevours with inkstitch. Sorry that I did not formulate my initial question accordingly.
Thanks
Your question was crystal clear - but I don't know how-to do in in a 1 click manner with Inkscape´s implemented feature-set right now and I'm not talking about add-on, script and plug-ins as I'm not a developer by any means…
Time to throw my hat in the ring.
Use tiled clones to create nested duplicates of the original shape. Unlink the clones [shift+alt+d] and then use the node tool to break a path from each star. Select the nodes on one side and snap them to the corresponding inner nodes.
Why not cloning the altered star in first place? - so you don't have to break paths all the way:
Good point PixelPest, but I won't concede that easily. You now have to draw 9 separate lines across the gaps to close your 10-turn spiral. 18 mouse clicks! In my method I select the nodes (1 click), then break all the paths (1 click), then drag the nodes together to their new positions (1 click). 3 mouse clicks total! And it's the same regardless of the number of spirals. I admit, I might need more than 1 click for node selections.
Maybe - just when you pick the right node; the upper or the one beneath? You know how to pick the right one when 2 nodes in 1 spot?
Hi again, Tina. You have received some great ideas and inputs from different folks.
Be sure to see Tyler Durden's post below.
I wish you all the best, a terrific Mother's Day and a great week ahead.
A star is not too difficult... other shapes, hard to say.
Super idea/solution and great gif presentation, Tyler. Thank you.
Dear inkscapers
I will play around now with different shapes, let's see what a leaf a butterfly wing or a heart say to all your suggested techniques.
Tina
In these forums (fora?), I discover tools and workflows and shortcuts that never occurred to me. And sometimes a question pushes me to teach myself. I think everyone likes that "Aha!" moment when the flickering light bulb glows a bit brighter. Since the original post, I had a vague distant memory of trying and failing to do something similar. Following some mental rummaging and some hours of study and experiments I had my moment.
Inkscape has a built in tool to build spiral-filled stars in one step. Head on over to [Extensions > Render > L-system...] and copy the attached dialog settings. Turn on [Live preview] and play with the parameters. I attached a few alternates but the possibilities are endless.
Hi, Paddy_Cad. I remember using L Sytems in another software I have many years ago but never tried it within Inkscape and especially not like this. You have shared another great, winning idea! Thank you.
Yeah - Inkscape is really an Allrounder (or in German: "eierlegende Wollmilchsau". Extend your vocabulary. 🤣).
Never touched the L-system extension. Great finding. 🕺
Hello Helpers
I'm worried that I did not seem to have written back! I was so sure!
I will try to make this work for a wing, heart clover and maple leaf.
Thanks again for all the input.
Tina
@Paddy_CAD
How do you come up with this part you used t make the star settings? A=CBBBBB++BBBBBC-A;C=BC;
I found this here https://thebrickinthesky.wordpress.com/2013/03/17/l-systems-and-penrose-p3-in-inkscape/ and hope others will get an better Idea what the L-System does. It seems to be out of my comrehension
Tina
Hi Tina. I'm probably just a few pages ahead of you in L-systems for Dummies, but I suppose that's the first step to becoming an "expert".
The most important concept is that every letter represents a line segment. The choice of letter is irrelevant, as long as you're consistent. The "+" & "-" symbols represent a right turn and a left turn. "=" is an instruction to replace the letter on the left with the letter sequence on the right. Now let's walk through my first example above.
The [Axiom] is the first element drawn, in this case a single line segment A. The first rule "A=CBBBBB++BBBBBC-A" replaces the line segment A with series of line segments "CBBBBB", two right turns "++", another series of equal length "BBBBBC", a single left turn "-", and finally a single segment "A". With the left and right turns both set at 60 degrees this rule draws a single spoke of the six-point star and the first leg of the second spoke.
The last line segment "A" is important. If we repeat the rule, this will be replaced by a second spoke, then a third, fourth, etc. Six repetitions would draw a closed six-point star.
The second rule "C=BC" replaces every line segment "C" with two segments "BC", lengthening each spoke and changing the shape from a closed star to a spiral. At each step we add a spoke to our star and increase the length of all previous spokes. The number of repetitions is determined by the [order] value. Turn on [Live preview] to see how increasing the order makes the spiral grow.
This works well for shapes with regular repeating geometry but organic forms are normally too complex to be represented by a simple sequence of lines and turns. I tried to draw a simplified butterfly wing and gave up in frustration (admittedly after very little effort).
Thanks for trying to catch me up. I'm super confused still and might need a quiet week to comprehend^^
Cheers
Tina