Subtract shapes issue

[Giovanni]

Hi everybody, I am trying to make some special effects like lightnings and shades by overlapping some shapes, but the results from subtraction are very imprecise. Any suggestion?

[John Rayner]

hi Giovanni,

If you add nodes at the intersections of both pieces it will come out clean every time.

[Giovanni]

Do you mean about 30 pairs of new nodes made precisely on over the other on two different shapes? http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[wW]

Why subtract. Take your original shape dupe it then move it back. Nudge around till it's where you want it. Some nodes can be moved -on the back one- to meet on pointed area's of the top one. This help?

[Giovanni]

Sorry wW I dont' understand your technique. Consider that in the image I posted the dark brown shapes are the starting shapes.
The thin light shapes are the result of a subtraction within clones nudged of some pixels.

[wW]

Here's an example of what I mean.

If the object is a line it can be converted to editable shape & then manipulated as needed via the nodes.

[wW]

Here's the xara file.

[John Rayner]

hi Giovanni,

You just need to add points (nodes) at the intersection of the two lines. One node on each line. the attched examble would need 24 points, Just think of it as 24 clicks that is all..

[xander11]

Try to use the Shadow or Bevel tool, Giovanni

[Giovanni]

Thanks to everybody, I tried to avoid hair pulling work but is necessary. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif