Hand hatching

[Madrayken]

Silly question 2

On paper, I do a lot of hand-hatching, using layers of short lines on the sides of curved objects to build up curved surfaces.

In Xara that's a bit difficult, as if you make a lot of brushstrokes over a small area it attempts to combine the lines into one continuous line (as your line usually runs over one or more connection points).

Is there a shortcut key or option to stop lines drawn close to connection points on other lines becoming part of those lines?

I know I can replicate this sort of thing with bitmap hatches and transparencies, but I'm still learning which bits of my workflow to alter.

Again, many thanks for any help. If there's somewhere else I should be looking for this sort of thing advice, then I'd really appreciate that information too!

[Mike Bailey]

The escape key. Draw a line, hit esc. draw another, hit esc. so on and so forth.

[handrawn]

you need to alter a registry setting - the default is 12pix I thing which is far too high for this sort of thing - by altering the registry enttry you can bring the gap closing down to 1 pix, but not zero.

xara have promised to fix this soon so that we can change it without the registry fix

if you are happy to edit the registry I'll find the info, if someone else dosn't get there first

[handrawn]

MIke is right you can use the escape key, but bringing the automatic gap closing down is going to make it much easier to see what the heck you are doing when doing detailed sketching [eg hair grass etc]

[handrawn]

here it is
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Xara\XaraXtremePro\Opti ons\Selection Blob Sizes\Freehand end hit-detect {reduce value}

I have taken it down from 12 to 1 - it used to be 2 before xara messed about with it in current version 3.2

The above key is for XaraXtremePro if XaraXtreme is what you have - key will be accordingly different

Usual warning about not messing with registry unless you know what you are doing

EDIT - that gap should not be there in 'Options' but I cant seem to get rid of it - strange

[raynerj1]

I usually use a blend to two to create my hatching...

1. Create a line...

2. clone it

3. Move it

4. Create a blend from 1 line to the next.

5 clone blend

6. rotate 90

7. convert both blends to editable shapes

8. Ungroup

9. convert lines to shape...

10 Add shapes...

1 easy to use vector hatching...

[Madrayken]

Well, I went for the regedit option. I'm sure I'll alter my workflow at some point, but that day is not today. :-)

[Madrayken]

Oh! I forgot to thank you folks! Consider yourselves thunk. :-)

[handrawn]

no problem - good luck with the work flow[s] - at least xara is relatively easy to learn compared to some graphics packages - and there is always help here

[Ross Macintosh]

I attach a xara sketch I did a long time ago (previously posted) using escape key technique and a tablet. The sketch is based on Michelangelo's famous 'Study for Libyan Sibyl' chalk drawing. The escape key technique works but can be frustrating if you work too fast.

Regards, Ross