The controversial eraser tool

[handrawn]

Well, I have explained why it doesn't match the vector approach.

but it must do - illustrator has one - right ?

[covoxer]

others may find it enlightening.

Yes, and that would make them confused. I'd like to avoid this confusion.

many competing vector toolsets incorporate it already

But you have not used this argument, do you? Unlike most of your assumptions in OP, this one is actually true.

erasing vector based shapes without translation to bitmaps.

Yes, but I was talking about conversion of lines to shapes.

Xaras workflow for doing such operations as removing sections of vector shapes by point manipulation or shape subtraction works but is downright clumsy in an organic workflow as shown in the video.

Why do you think that in this particular example there is a need to remove sections of the shapes? Unlike in raster, you can place shapes on top of other shapes without removing anything. Similar drawing could be made without removing any parts of any vector shapes.

To be honest John, I really don't care if you like the easer tool or not.

With this approach I'm sure you do not expect anyone to care about what you post here, right? Then why do you even post?

What really matters is that people who are currently using xara for illustration and cartoons continue to find that xara is the best possible tool for them to do their work.

Are you trying to enlighten them?

I would say that the video shows a phenomenally fast workflow that could be achievable within Xara using the eraser tool if it were present and speed their workflow. You clearly disagree.

Yes, I do disagree that this is the only possible fast workflow.

I really wish that rather than trying to kick a suggestion into submission (that's all this is - a suggestion),

This is not a suggestion. Suggestions are already made in Dear Xara section. This here is some sort of agitation based on the false assumptions. Surely it may impress some not experienced users and confuse them about necessity of this feature. If you can't draw without eraser tool in Xara, adding it will not make you draw as effortlessly as on that video. So you make your point praising eraser tool, and I make mine.

Xara may not wish to implement an eraser

Xara wish to implement eraser tool. It's on the wishlist.

have a chance to air their views and support the idea

Already done in Dear Xara section.

It's not about winning arguments with me John, it's about users having a voice

No it's about you trying to confuse people. Intentionally or not. Users do have a voice without this.

[covoxer]

but it must do

No.

illustrator has one - right ?

So?

[handrawn]

sorry John, but if illustrator has an eraser then it has to fit the vector approach one way or another, almost by definition

still it's good to know it is on the wishlist, thanks

[pauland]

it's about you trying to confuse people. Intentionally or not.

I really don't like that suggestion much.

I put up an interesting demonstration, invite comment and just get a kicking from a Xara employee/associate for my pains because he doesn't like a fairly innocuous suggestion about a useful tool that is everywhere else but in Xara software.

What you should be saying John, is something like this:

"That's an interesting video Paul. A number of people have already expressed interest in such a tool and it's on the Xara wishlist, so it may happen one day. It would be great to hear what others think.".

Instead we get a stupid petty argument with a developer berating a customer. Great PR for a thread that should have been a positive contribution.

[covoxer]

it has to fit the vector approach one way or another

It's "another" in this case.
Vector eraser IS a vector tool. But with some drawbacks.
Imagine you have drawn lots of quick strokes. They are all lines. Now you trim them a little bit with eraser. Let's say half of them were affected by eraser. They were converted to shapes. But the rest are still lines. You can still change line width, pattern, profile, even apply brush to them. But not to those that were affected by the eraser. Surely, they are all vector, but the result is not quite consistent or predictable.

[covoxer]

What you should be saying John, is something like this:

You want me to lie? No way.

[handrawn]

ok - is there not a way to trim vector lines with an eraser without converting to shape?

[pauland]

It's "another" in this case.
Vector eraser IS a vector tool. But with some drawbacks.
Imagine you have drawn lots of quick strokes. They are all lines. Now you trim them a little bit with eraser. Let's say half of them were affected by eraser. They were converted to shapes. But the rest are still lines. You can still change line width, pattern, profile, even apply brush to them. But not to those that were affected by the eraser. Surely, they are all vector, but the result is not quite consistent or predictable.

A line cut by the eraser becomes two lines. Shape cut by the eraser becomes two shapes. A long line erased at the end becomes a shorter line. It's entirely predictable.

Doesn't really matter if you cut a shape or a line.

[pauland]

ok - is there not a way to trim vector lines with an eraser without converting to shape?

Of course there is. It's not a barrier for other developers.