Expanding Universe

[Acorn]

I have a collection of things, say stars, that are separated from each other.
If I want to double the size of my universe, I can not do so in Xara by selecting all my stars and Scale to 200% as all my stars also double in size. If everything is scaled the same then the relative sizes and positions are unaffected. The real universe doesn't work that way.

Say I have 1,000 stars, the challenge is how to scale their universe without the stars expanding.

Acorn

[wizard509]

Acorn,I have approved this because it is an interesting question. I can think of a couple things to try. I'ii have to see if they work or not.

[gwpriester]

You might create a custom brush stroke using the Freehand & Brush Tool > Create Brush function.

[Acorn]

Thanks Gary for the approach. It is interesting how Custom Brushes are cropping up a lot now.

If I change the line width or lengthen the line I will get more stars so you have designed a continuous creation universe as suggested by Fred Hoyle when he dismissed the current conjecture as a "Big Bang".
If I scale the line, the stars scale too.



Acorn

[gwpriester]

Right and you can accelerate the scaling as well using the appropriate edit brush slider.

And theoretically, you could use one shape and randomize the size as well well as the spacing.

[Big Frank]

waayaaaay over my addled head...

if i can understand it i can draw it
if not
i go to bed

[csehz]

Acorn I am not sure whether it helps on your issue, but maybe can be useful the "Xara Designer Pro X (8) New Features" video by Xhris on Youtube

http://youtu.be/dC6E9FnIW3w

It explains a scenario at the beginning so from 0:00, where the new Paste size, Paste size and position can be useful. Those objects what he demonstrates sounds similiar to a universe with stars

[Acorn]

csehz, this gets a big thumbs up, thank you, especially as the video started at 0:00, as do all good universes!

I would say it matches 80% of a solution forward.
If all the stars were the same size then you would copy one, reduce to 50% and for all the originals, Paste size.
You would then select all and expand to 200%: sixe maintain and spacing doubled.

Unfortunately, my stars have different sizes...

Acorn