Convert Shape to Line: Bug or Feature

[Soquili]

Is it a bug or a feature? Start with a circle. Hold the control key and use the Ellipse Tool. Create it any size you like. Clone this circle and move the clone to the right so the bottom circle and top circle overlap by about 20 pixels or so, more if you want. Select both circle and Arrange>Combine Shapes>Add Shapes. You should have one shape. Zoom in so you can see the three nodes at the bottom of where the former circles overlap. Use the Shape Editor Tool and select the node on the left. Right click and select Delete Node from the pop up menu. You should now have a line instead of a shape, but it's a very fat line. Try to convert the line to shape (can't be done on my system).

I've repeated this about 50 times with various size circles. Tried converting the circles to editable shapes before the Add Shapes. Tried removing the outline before the Add Shapes.

Odd, that if you use an Ellipse the change from shape to line does not occur.

Can anyone else repeat this behaviour?

[Soquili]

Is it a bug or a feature? Start with a circle. Hold the control key and use the Ellipse Tool. Create it any size you like. Clone this circle and move the clone to the right so the bottom circle and top circle overlap by about 20 pixels or so, more if you want. Select both circle and Arrange>Combine Shapes>Add Shapes. You should have one shape. Zoom in so you can see the three nodes at the bottom of where the former circles overlap. Use the Shape Editor Tool and select the node on the left. Right click and select Delete Node from the pop up menu. You should now have a line instead of a shape, but it's a very fat line. Try to convert the line to shape (can't be done on my system).

I've repeated this about 50 times with various size circles. Tried converting the circles to editable shapes before the Add Shapes. Tried removing the outline before the Add Shapes.

Odd, that if you use an Ellipse the change from shape to line does not occur.

Can anyone else repeat this behaviour?

[Scotty]

Hi,
this is Jim I just repeated your instructions and managed to convert the line to shape on my system. I am just a dodler with graphic applications not anything serious., but unless I did I missed a step it converted to line shape as a rather thin line with no fill and when I apply bevel it turns out to be a beveled line.
Jim

[Soquili]

Thanks Jim. I'm just a hobbyist myself, but this intrigued me to see if it was only my system or if it happens to all systems.

[RTK]

I'm not sure if I follow you, Soquili...

After deleting that node, the "two" circles still remains one shape. And when I 'convert line to shape' - I end up with a shape (of the line...)

The shape created is not perfect though. It is a bit fatter at the beginning of the curve segment. Attached is a 0.5 line converted to shape (magnified).

[Soquili]

Sorry, Risto. I think I may not have explained things well enough. The two circles when added together are one shape. The simple process of removing the one node I mentioned causes the entire shape to become a line (on my system at least). I only mentioned the inability to convert the line back into a shape, because I needed a shape to continue with the changes I planned to make.

Thanks for your reply, I believe it is a problem with my system and not some problem in XaraX¹. Looks like I may need to replace this machine and get something new. Another mark towards getting myself to set aside enough money for my dream system http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[RTK]

Ok, I get it...

The answer would be "no" from my end... It does not become a line for me.

However, I'm running the old June 8 / 2004 version. Maybe it was something that showed up later?

What version are you running?

[RTK]

Any excuse to buy that dream system, is a good excuse! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Soquili]

I'm running the August 23, 2004 version.

It may have to remain a dream for a while, too many things to get done around the house and lawn this time of year http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[Christine Farrelly]

Hi,

I just repeated the 'error' on my PC. I think the difference is if there is a line round the shape to start with. Without a line I get the same result as Bill.

Christine