extend a shape with pen, adding with or without original shape?

**rsrsrs** · 19 November 2019, 10:42 AM

extend a shape with pen, adding with or without original shape?

sometime if i extend an existing original shape with the pen i get two different results,
one is with, the other is without the original shape.

how can i select which outline from existing shape to use?

pls see picture to understand

Click image for larger version.

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**Egg Bramhill** · 19 November 2019, 01:57 PM

Hi RS, I wouldn't expect you to get the shape on the right hand side in you image. It's not something I ever use but in my understanding if the additional line start/end is within less than the original shapes half length it will add the shapes. However if the start/end is more than half the originals shapes length it will subtract the original shape. Problem being with an erratic shape it's not always easy to know the half length so do smaller additions at a time.

**rsrsrs** · 19 November 2019, 02:21 PM

Hi,

it is not because of the larger shape.
i tried it before and now i tested it again

... i just did the pink shape out of the green one.

i also tested the direction, but could not find any rule. unfortunately.

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regards
reinhard

an another example.
pink outline adds
green subtracts.

Click image for larger version.

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**RKissane** · 19 November 2019, 03:12 PM

When I tried with the pen tool I get two separate shapes. How do you extend the shape and get it to attach to the orginall shape?

Ray

**rsrsrs** · 19 November 2019, 03:34 PM

first it has to be converted to editable shapes. (no cross in the middle)
the with the pen tool start at the outline of the shape [~] will be there,
than paint around and end at the same original shape outline, again [~] will be there.

**Egg Bramhill** · 19 November 2019, 08:26 PM

Hi again Reinhard. Possibly more of an insight, perhaps it relates to node distribution?

I recall a thread on this issue several years back with guidance from the Xara Devs but I cant find it at present.

**Rik** · 19 November 2019, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by rsrsrs

extend a shape with pen, adding with or without original shape?

sometime if i extend an existing original shape with the pen i get two different results,
one is with, the other is without the original shape.

how can i select which outline from existing shape to use?

pls see picture to understand

If I do, as it is in your image, then I always get the larger shape.
I do not get the smaller shape.

If I select the same starting point as yours, I have to take the line around over a certain point, before I get the subtractive (cutout) shape.
Below as certain point, I always get the Additive.

In the attached image, if I always start at X, all the way to points Y1 to Y4, AND GO IN A CLOCKWISE DIRECTION, I get additive.
It's not until I get to Y5, that I get subtractive.

If I go IN AN ANTI-CLOCKWISE DIRECTION, from X to Y5, I get additive,
From X to Y4 and further, I get subtractive.

Interesting, eh?!

**handrawn** · 20 November 2019, 12:02 AM

not done any of this for a long time - it is also possible to create a single shape that has both an internal and external outline as shown here:

Click image for larger version.

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abnormal outline.xar

by combining the subtractive shape with a paste in place copy of the original

I don't recall any hard and fast rule for this behaviour....

**rsrsrs** · 20 November 2019, 07:54 AM

Seems to be one of the last mysteries of Xara.
;-)
solution would be xara does highlight the path that stays,
and with [shift] switching it.

cheers

**MarcT** · 20 November 2019, 01:47 PM

That's really interesting Rik,

I think may also be due to the percentage of the original object, for example if it's more than 40% of the size you get the other result.

Over time the warp tool has become a favorite of mine to tweak shapes.

Marc