Designer ProX 18: Smart Duplication, a means to specify the distance between objects

I just installed the latest version 18.

I didn't see where I could Smart Duplicate a selected object(s) and copying it a predetermined distance.

In Options > General, could the distance specified for duplication also apply for Smart Duplication or a have check box to allow the setting to also apply to Smart Duplication?

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Originally Posted by jclements

I just installed the latest version 18.

I didn't see where I could Smart Duplicate a selected object(s) and copying it a predetermined distance.

In Options > General, could the distance specified for duplication also apply for Smart Duplication?

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I looked in 18 and an old version of XG&GD same both places so it appears that it does.

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Originally Posted by jclements

I just installed the latest version 18.
I didn't see where I could Smart Duplicate a selected object(s) and copying it a predetermined distance.
In Options > General, could the distance specified for duplication also apply for Smart Duplication or a have check box to allow the setting to also apply to Smart Duplication?

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None of the SmartShapes have such a dialog.
You are supported to use the provide control to then tweak spacing.

I dare say there is a Registry setting for Xara's default.

I would prefer an input box somewhere for any given Duplication or even have Copy (A Duplication Selection) --> Paste Attributes (Another Duplication Selection) but Paste Attributes does not have a Duplication Spacing Attribute.

Acorn

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Originally Posted by wizard509

I looked in 18 and an old version of XG&GD same both places so it appears that it does.

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Sorry Larry, Utilities > Options > General > Document editing > Duplication distance is a different beast.

Acorn

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Originally Posted by Acorn

Sorry Larry, Utilities > Options > General > Document editing > Duplication distance is a different beast.

Acorn

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Maybe so but it seems to work.

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Originally Posted by wizard509

Maybe so but it seems to work.

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Larry, I change mine to 150px for X and then smart Duplicated and it didn't.

Using Edit > Duplicate (Ctrl+Alt+D) is not the same as Select (Object) > enable Smart Duplication (icon).

@jclements is asking for this linkage.

Acorn

That's similar to what I did except it worked for me.

I tried the same. I used Smart duplicate at the default duplicate spacing, and then adjusted the duplication distance and tried again. It made no difference whatsoever.

Hopefully Xara will get their act together and update the pdf manual.

I must be doing something wrong, in the first place I cannot find smart duplicate anywhere to give it a try which leaves me using duplicate which does work for me by changing the x and y values.

larry, you can duplicate an object, but smart duplication is where you duplicate the distance of the elements within a smart object, not the object itself... a different beast as acorn said

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Originally Posted by handrawn

larry, you can duplicate an object, but smart duplication is where you duplicate the distance of the elements within a smart object, not the object itself... a different beast as acorn said

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handrawn, not quite. Some SmartShapes do have a duplication option, c.f., Table Rows and columns.

Smart Duplication (SD) is also used now to create a frieze (line) of text & shapes, H or V.
You can make a grid by selecting all of the frieze and smart duplicate in the orthogonal direction.

You can only chose two different shape or groups at a time as only the last two in the SD direction are picked up.
Also there is a precise rule on how much a shape can overlap another along an H or V-axis to allow SD.

If you know what you are doing, you can turn friezes into wallpaper patterns but this requires a lot of planning.

@wizard509, the third icon in, above the Selector Tool:

Attachment 129697

Acorn

thanks for the clarification ;)

OK You guys are correct smart duplication on xdp18 edoes not work I had a real hard time finding it though.+

Attachment 129705

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Originally Posted by wizard509

OK You guys are correct smart duplication on xdp18 edoes not work I had a real hard time finding it though.+
Attachment 129705

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Larry, Smart Duplication does work though. It is just not connected with the Duplication distance.
Your toolbars are in a custom location.

@Xara - TL;DR:

• The current Duplication distance values should be applied to the Smart Duplication (SD) spacing.
• SD is yet another new Feature that is a bolt-on that destroys past workflow coherence - changing the pitch (spacing) through SD use should change the Duplication distance in X and Y-directions:
  
  • This ensures a consistent separation in the design.
  
  
• Copy and Paste Attributes of an SD block should set the Duplication distance to its values.
• SD should treat a selection as a temporary Group while SDing:
  
  • This would overcome the obscure rules you have imposed on SD only on the last two shapes and the alignment of the objects affecting SD becoming unavailable.

Acorn

You could use a measuring stick in the form of a smart arrow, for example 'Smart Labeled Line2'. Duplicate both the shape and the arrow, then delete the arrows.

Attachment 129706

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Originally Posted by Jonopen

You could use a measuring stick in the form of a smart arrow, for example 'Smart Labeled Line2'. Duplicate both the shape and the arrow, then delete the arrows.

Attachment 129706

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Jono, the problem here is Smart Duplication (SD) spacing does not Snap to Objects, Guides or Grids.
Every adjustment you make is by eye.

Your approach does not need SD as you can select shape and stick and drag to a snap point and then right-click; a method that is fundamental Xara, which all SmartShapes have ignored.

SmartShapes are regressive.

Acorn

Thanks Acorn. I should have put a wink emoticon after my reply.

The inability to input values to control SmartShape behaviour very considerably reduces their usefulness.

A good while ago in a long forgotten (and ignored) ‘Dear Xara’ post, I made a fancy (or perhaps fantasy) mock-up that included a section for SmartShape input values.

https://www.talkgraphics.com/attachm...1&d=1552992469

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Originally Posted by Jonopen

Thanks Acorn. I should have put a wink emoticon after my reply.
The inability to input values to control SmartShape behaviour very considerably reduces their usefulness.
A good while ago in a long forgotten (and ignored) ‘Dear Xara’ post, I made a fancy (or perhaps fantasy) mock-up that included a section for SmartShape input values.
https://www.talkgraphics.com/attachm...1&d=1552992469

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I would like that but would prefer it to site in the Page & Layer gallery Object tree. Browser DOMs can manage it in their Developer Tools (F12).

Acorn

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Originally Posted by Acorn

I would like that but would prefer it to site in the Page & Layer gallery Object tree. Browser DOMs can manage it in their Developer Tools (F12).

Acorn

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Perhaps we should have them available in the gallery tree AND in the 'Object properties' panel! :D

DOM's & BOM's - had to look up these up - still non the wiser - please don't explain I don't want my head to explode! ;)