Bonsoir (heure américaine) Eric
I think the possibility to invert the y-direction is a really good move – then users can simply choose their preference which solves all the directional controversy at a stroke!
I'm having a bit of trouble with the new parallels.
I think the basic principle that you drag in the direction that you want the parallel to go is excellent. Solves all the directional problems that existed previously. Those didn't really fuss me overmuch, but they were quirky to say the least
However there seem to be some teething problems – difficultés initiales:
I'm assuming Single Offset means that you get just one parallel object in the direction that you drag
And Multiple Offset means you get more than one object in the direction you drag.
In which case I am confused as to what Number means in relation to Single Offset.
Experimenting a bit with a line:
Single Offset – Number : 1 – Offset: 100mm produces exactly what one would expect – a new line 100mm away from the original in the direction you drag. Excellent!
Single Offset – Number : 3 – Offset: 100mm produces three lines in the direction you drag and two in the opposite direction. Odd!
Multiple Offset – Number : 3 – Offset: 100mm produces exactly the same result – three lines in one direction; two in the other. Also Odd!
Experimenting with shapes (ovals, rectangles, arcs):
Single Offset – Number : 1 – Offset: 100mm does what you would expect.
Single Offset – Number : 3 – Offset: 100mm produces three parallel objects in the direction you drag
Multiple Offset – Number : 3 – Offset: 100mm produces exactly the same result – three parallel objects in the direction you drag.
Experimenting with open polygons/polylines/polycurves:
Didn't seem to work at all, or if it did was very unpredictable and program tended to crash. When it did work it only went in one direction (sort of upwards or rightwards) whatever direction you dragged in. But it was really very unpredictable and did all sorts of odd things. Not Good News for me!
Other considerations
How does interactive work. Does it just go as far as you drag – no specified distance?
And have we lost the ability to have parallels in both directions? And the ability to draw double lines etc. by holding down the option key? I think we have. If so I think we would need a "Wall" tool to be able to draw double lines etc.
I think it might(?) be better if Single Offset meant that you only could get parallels in the direction you dragged (in which case Number would specify how many you got). And Multiple (Double would be a better term) meant that you got parallels in both directions (regardless of which way you dragged) – in which case Number would again specify how many you got.
So:
Single - 3 - 100mm would produce three objects at 100mm spacings in the direction you dragged, and
Double - 3 - 100mm would produce three objects at 100mm spacings each side of the original object, regardless of the direction you dragged (in fact a click would do the job).
Still problematical to draw double lines as you can now by holding the option key down – perhaps that has to go and be replaced by a dedicated Wall tool?
Cordialement
Georges