Blend Tool - step distance is disabled

[Fred C]

Just very simple; one pixel black and 2 white, or 1 and 1.

Here's a quick brush that might work.

[Markku]

Here's a quick brush that might work.

That works great, thank you!
Would you tell me how you did it? I could then make my own variations of it.

[Markku]

When I set the pixel grid to 1 pixel spacing I can easily move the line and make it snap to the grid, but when I set the grid to 10 pixel spacing I cannot move the line and have it snap to grid dots. It snaps but it is off a couple of pixels so I presume you were using some larger (hidden) element within the brush.

[Markku]

That works great, thank you!
Would you tell me how you did it? I could then make my own variations of it.

I took a closer look at the output of that brush with 1px grid and noticed that as the line gets longer the "pixels" start to offset from the pixel grid. I checked the brush settings and saw you had 200% spacing there and I think that is correct. So that just shows why brushes are not a very good alternative to real dash lines - they are a bit inaccurate I suppose because they were meant to be used more artistically.

[Fred C]

Actually quite accurate. The brush was created with a 1 px X 1 px shape (line width=none) and no hidden elements, spacing 200%. Using the brush to make a line results in the end points centered in the respective shapes at each end and not at the visible edges of the shapes; the end points are where the snapping will respond. Perhaps, that's what you're seeing. I don't see the shapes 'pixels' [your term] starting to offset as the line gets longer. see graphic 1

You can convert the line to grouped shape(s) by using Arrange>Convert Line to Shape. (make line width=none). It can then be positioned accurately along the visible edges of the shapes (lower left= 0,0 default). It's not a 'real dash[ed] line', but still accurate. see graphic 2

[Markku]

I don't see the shapes 'pixels' [your term] starting to offset as the line gets longer.

Nice to know how your brush was done and I think the brush is as good as it gets. But take a look at the attached file. Go slowly from left to right at a very close zoom and you should see dots offsetting at about midway of the line.

[Fred C]

You're correct, I see it; it looks like a 1/2 pixel gain in the 402 pixel length.

[Markku]

You're correct, I see it; it looks like a 1/2 pixel gain in the 402 pixel length.

And I was going to use that line on web pages which are usually more than 900 px wide. In reality nobody would see the inaccuracy so this is not a real problem, but I just happen to be bothered about things like that and then I tend to look for another solution which in this case might be setting the duplicate distance to y=0 and x=3 and then just duplicate the dot as many times as it requires and then group it.

[Markku]

...then just duplicate the dot as many times as it requires and then group it.

That proved to be a very fast method to accomplish my dash line...

[Fred C]

I agree; minor inaccuracy, but it bugs me too. Your original 'blend' approach is probably the most versatile since it works on other than straight lines. Interesting exercise!

Regards,