How do I do this is Xara?

[Su Lawrence]

Rik: yes the 1:1 can only be set once your lines are a blend, before I set it I had a similar issue, just not as 'messed up' as in your example.

One thing you might want to check: If you select both lines and click on the shape editor tool (so you can see how many point handles/nodes are in each line) then add any 'missing' nodes to the line that has the least (in approx the same sort of place as in the other line - doesn't have to be absolutely accurate position). So when both lines have the same number of nodes ... hopefully the 1:1 option will work. I just had a play and on my third blend I got the issue you had (even with 1:1 set) ... one of my lines was missing a node and once I added that it worked ok. So I guess sometimes it depends on the original line shape and how many point handles/nodes Xara decides to use.

Larry: don't panic ... hopefully this node thing will solve it.

Regards

Su

Ah ... just seen Larry's reply above ...
Larry: I think it might be possible that this is the same issue with nodes as I mentioned to Rik above, if the blend only works for you after converting the lines to shapes, might be worth checking out to see if 'mirroring' nodes helps.

[wizard509]

Thanks Su, I'll check it out and see.

[wizard509]

At first I thought it helped but I started over from scratch and it didn't help. I did everything I could to make each line have the same number of nodes and always came up with an improper blend. I am definitely in 1:1 blend mode. Once I deleted one line and copied the other and put it where the other one was and made it the same size and the two blended, still I must be doing something wrong I just can't seem to work out what.The only thing that always works for me is to convert the two lines to shapes before blending.

[Su Lawrence]

Ok thanks Larry for letting me know.

I am wondering if it is how the line is being drawn in the first place, if for example you use the freehand and brush tool, you can end up with more nodes. The way I drew the line I originally used was with the shape editor tool.

I clicked once once and then again further away, which gave me a straight line with only two nodes, then I adjusted the curve handles (you might need to drag the line first or convert to 'C' type line beforehand to get curve handles) ... this gave me a smooth 'S' type curve. When this is converted to a shape, there may be less nodes than if the freehand tool is used (just tested that out) and so be easier to match the final two 12pt lines in terms of nodes. You also get a smoother curve shape, which might also be a factor.

Other than that and without seeing your line I'm not sure what could be the problem.

Regards

Su