Using Mirror for Eyes

[bloodsong]

heyas, guys!

   i'm making a set of emoticons for a project.  and i want the eye shapes to be mirrored clones.  i used the Path Effect Mirror Path option.  which is great, because i edit the shape of one eye, and the other one matches.

   the problem i'm having is...  my eye has a gradient fill.  the mirror of that eye has a flat fill (ie: the end of the gradient is all that it receives).  which would be okay, if i could then break the mirror copy off from the original and give it its own fill.  buuuuut, i can't.


   apparently, i'm supposed to use mirror path to make one object that is symmetrical, not two separate objects.

my question(s):

A:  is there a way to release the mirrored part from the original, so it becomes a regular object i can edit?

and if not,

B:  what tools or clone options should i be using to make two matching eyes?



thanks a bunch!  this project is making me nuts enough with blender!  ;D

[Moini]

Making your own clone:

1. Create a group of the eye elements
2. Edit -> Clone > Create clone
3. Mirror the clone
4. align it horizontally with the original
5. double-click on original to enter group
6. Continue editing

Releasing an LPE:

Path > Object to Path

Bug report:

0. Make sure you have 'gradients move with objects' activated in the selection tool's tool bar. If the bug persists:
1. Visit https://bugs.launchpad.net
2. Search for 'gradient mirror lpe'
3. If the bug isn't know yet, create a new bug report for the broken gradient

[brynn]

Welcome to the forum!

I have not used that LPE yet, so I'm not sure what all it can do.  Instead, I would just make one eye, and Group all the parts together (Object menu > Group, or there's a button on the command bar , or there's a key shortcut).

From there, it depends on your personal preference.  To me, this is the easiest way:

-- clone the group (when you click clone, which is this button   (or use the key shortcut) the clone will be right on top of the original)
-- flip horizontal (this button on the Selection tool control bar )
-- hold the Ctrl key while you drag the clone horizontally and move it into place  (if the placement is very particular, you can use Guides and Snapping, to place the cloned eye.

Snapping:  http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/Snapping.html
Guides:  http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/Snapping.html#Snapping-Guide

If you want to see sort of a mirror "action", do it this way.  (Both ways end up with the same results.)

 -- click twice on the eye group (not too fast), to reveal the rotation center
 -- grab the rotation center, which is a small plus sign or crosshair, in the middle, and drag it to the point which will be halfway between the 2 eyes, which might be the centerline of the face - be sure to hold the Ctrl key while you drag, to make sure it moves perfectly horizontally - or use guides and snapping for precision (the rotation center will snap)
-- clone the group
-- flip it horizontally, it should go right into the place where you want it

Edit
Just playing around with the Mirror Symmetry LPE.  I'm still not sure exactly the best way to use it.  There's a good chance it's just over my head.

[bloodsong]

heyas, guys!

   i'm thinking that 'mirror path' is meant to create ONE object, not two separate objects.  so the gradient goes across both sections of the (same) path.  doing Path: Object to Path doesn't do anything except take off the mirror effect.  it still leaves the two pieces as one path with two subpaths.  (and i don't think that's a bug.)


   i cloned the one eye group and flipped it over...  but that created one object, not a group of objects.  i want to get into the clone group when i'm done changing the eye shape, because the highlights aren't supposed to be flipped, and i need to flip them back.

OH!  okay, i found it!  SH-ALT-D on the clone will unlink it and turn it back into a group.  whew!



okay, so the eyes will be clones, and the eyebrows can remain mirrored paths, because they are simple lines.  i combined the curves for the mouth and chopped them in half and put a mirror on it, and that creates one object that is symmetrical.

i think i'm dangerous, now

thanks, guys!

[Moini]

hehe

Maybe 'Path > Break apart' could also separate the object-twins into single objects, after having converted the mirror LPE to path.

Just for next time