More inaccurate cutting... will it be fixed?

[eobet]

Hello!

Awhile ago I posted something similar, which I got a reply from Charles Moir that the problem was down to anti-aliasing.

Well, I can now show an example which demonstrates that it's not always just a screen output graphics effect.

The attached image shows a red shape which has been subtracted by a cloned green shape.

Note how some "residue" it still left, even though both shapes are subtracted from the black outline.

I bet that this is what makes Xara fast, but I believe it is also (part of) what prevents it from being a truly professinal application: It's not accurate enough.

/Robert

[eobet]

Hello!

Awhile ago I posted something similar, which I got a reply from Charles Moir that the problem was down to anti-aliasing.

Well, I can now show an example which demonstrates that it's not always just a screen output graphics effect.

The attached image shows a red shape which has been subtracted by a cloned green shape.

Note how some "residue" it still left, even though both shapes are subtracted from the black outline.

I bet that this is what makes Xara fast, but I believe it is also (part of) what prevents it from being a truly professinal application: It's not accurate enough.

/Robert

[roman]

Hello Eobet would you be so kind and post also the .Xar file so we can check what do you exactly mean.

As far as second part of your post is concerned believe me since I'm on this forum (that is few years already) you are first ever to claim something like this. If I were you I would weigh my words before giving such judgements, but what can you do it was said now you should prove your words.

[OklaEd]

Hi Eobet ...

I would also like to see the XAR file since I have not experienced the problem myself.

As far as any tool being "professional" ... I suppose the qualifying factor would be the ability of it's users to produce income by using it ...

A great many Xara users (including myself) are being paid for the work they produce with it http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

-Ed.

[RTK]

I think I know what he means, as it happens on occasion actually...

However, you don't have to have any problem at all if you slice and dice your shapes in a smarter ("normal?") way. And FYI it happens in the same way in the others apps also... I would think that the Anti Aliasing is the cause for it (Two identical circles stacked ontop of each other... the bottom one will anti-alias to the bottom colour - the top one to the shapes it is sitting on - there will be a fraction difference in size because of the smoothing.)

(1) Draw a large circle.
(2) Clone this circle on the same spot.
(3) Create rectangle and use it to subtract half of the top circle.
(4) Use the half-circle and subtract it from the full circle - if you are "lucky" you get some stray parts of the original circle left over where it was supposed to have been removed.

--- You can prevent this by simply slicing and dicing you shapes in a smarter way.

--- Creating your shapes that you intend to slice and dice with no outline also helps.

--- An other easy way is to make the shape you are slicing and dicing with, a hair larger to compensate for the AA.

If I misunderstood the problem - a xar file is probably in order to help understand what you are trying to do, as suggested by Roman and Ed

Risto

risto@ristoklint.com

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[OklaEd]

Risto ... you are absolutely correct!

I was able to re-create this "effect" in Xara using the "subtract shapes" command ... and in CorelDRAW 12 using the "trim" command.

The problem is solved in Xara if you used the "slice" (which I guess I always do) instead of the "subtract".

Robert ... did Risto's solution fix your problem?

-Ed.

[RAMWolff44]

Yes, that is correct. I tried to use Robert's vague discription to re-produce the effect and I could not reproduce it.

Also he mentions subtracting the shapes from the outline and I don't think you can do that in XaraX yet. I know you can Convert Line to Shape but that usually subtracts the fill where as in quite a few other programs you can break the line away from the shape, which is an idea that I like very much. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif Draw and DrawPlus can do this and it can be helpful at times!

In any case I can reproduce it the Risto instructs but I don't work with XaraX this way so it's not even an issue for me!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Richard http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

http://www.ramwolffsworld.com//Publi..._Prowl_sig.gif

http://www.ramwolffsworld.com/RAMWolffsWorld

[eobet]

Thank you, Risto Klint got it right. I don't know what "smarter" subtracting would be, but I will try slicing instead.

And to Dmagician who got so upset: I have never heard of anyone complaining about problems due to anti-aliasing or subtraction in Illustrator.

And then we have the .eps export issue, but I guess that's not as improtant today anymore, since many printshops actually prefer .jpg these days.

I'll bet you will have fun with my export dialogue complaing that I'm going to post next! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

[roman]

Upset? http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Anyway so you have tried this in Illustrator, right?

[RTK]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>eobet: I don't know what "smarter" subtracting would be, but I will try slicing instead.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
--- You can create a shape in many different ways. I'm not sure you are creating them in the most efficient way. That's all I tried to say. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Oh - by Slice and Dice - I meant whatever pathfinder operation is the most efficient, not nesessaraly 'slice.'

Updated - You can also create a line that passes over the object where you want to "cut" a shape... Convert this line to shape and subtract it from the underlying object. Next "break shapes" and remove the piece you don't need.

You can create this line from scratch, or create it from a clone of one of your exising shapes - add nodes where appropriate - and break at points where needed, to get a suitable line.

Risto

risto@ristoklint.com

Visit my web site!

[This message was edited by Risto Klint on March 08, 2004 at 11:12.]

[This message was edited by Risto Klint on March 08, 2004 at 11:21.]