Convert Graphics Menu

Convert Menu

This menu provides a way to convert a graphic to a different form. The new form may or may not have a different visual appearance. But the new form will have different characteristics and provide different modification possibilities.

For example a Rectangle is very restricted in the allowed modifications. It sides are held orthogonal, horizontal, and vertical. The rectangle may be converted to a polygon. It appears exactly the same after the conversion. However, each vertex of the polygon may be moved independently.

A graphic(s) must be selected before any of the conversion options will be enabled. Each initial graphic will have a particular set of forms for which a conversion is possible. The allowed forms are enabled and the ones that are not possible are disabled.

This technique will convert typeset text to Bezier outlines. This is useful to apply advanced effects to text, prepare a document for press, or to stretch and alter the size of the text with more degrees of freedom than a change of font or layout rectangle.

The conversion will apply to the selected graphic(s). A conversion is performed by selecting an allowed menu option.

Some conversions will visually alter the target graphic, especially those conversion that involve a loss of information. Other will have no immediate visible effect on the target.

The convert to "Lines" menu selection is unique. This command will create several new graphics (not one). The starting graphic is broken into multiple line segments and a new independent line is created for each segment.

The "Close" menu selection will add a straight path segment that joins the end of curve to the start of the curve. A closed path is drawn with a clean joint at the start-end vertex. The Join Style is applied at this vertex in the same manner as all the other vertices of the shape. If a shape is drawn by simply positioning the end of the curve at the point of the start of the curve, close inspection will show a rough joint that is actually defined by the Cap Style at the start-end vertex.

Welded Bezier and Joined Bezier will form a new path that is the composite of a set of selected multiple paths. The Welded action will form a new path by connecting each selected path with a straight line segment. The Joined Bezier will connect each of the selected paths, but the connecting segment will be invisible. For the Joined path a Move-To segment rather than a Line-To segment is used to connect the segments.

Filled Shape(s) will convert a graphic, that has an outline, to filled graphic counterparts that do not have an outline. For example a line is converted to a rectangle. A rectangle with an outline and fill is converted to two rectangles-one somewhat larger than the other both rectangles have fill but no outline. This conversion will have several uses, one is to convert a graphic to be drawn with fill-only-no-outline which can have advantages for when scaling by large amounts as there is no need to specify how line widths will scale with size changes.

Conversion can be very useful for creative drawing. For example, a circle may be a good starting point for a shape. To draw the shape, start with a circle then convert to a Smooth Bezier. Add vertices using the Insert Vertices tool or Double Vertices. Then deform the Bezier to attain the desired shape. Starting with the circle is much easier than trying to construct a free hand circular Bezier Path.

For a description of the characteristics of each graphic refer to the Creation Tool Palette , or click on the item on the example menu in the left column.

Converting text to a Bezier Path (or Continuous Bezier Path) is useful for adding style to individual characters. After conversion you may add Stroke and Fill or other fill effects such as Gradient Fill or Pattern Fill. You may want to modify Stroke Position Stroke Position for best appearance.

Converting with the Weld action takes a group of graphics (all must have a Bezier Path - no Text objects) and merges their paths into one Bezier path. The topmost graphic, in the painting order, is used as the master for specifying the stroke and fill style of the graphic. The paths are automatically ordered in an end to end fashion as defined in the documentation for forming a Welded Group of graphics.

The Joined Bezier is useful for creating a transparent void area ( hole ) in graphics. To obtain an interior "hole" effect the Even Odd winding rule is used after the paths are Joined.