Cutting characters into slices

Mistermam · Postby **Mistermam** » Mon Dec 04, 2017 5:48 am

Hi all,

I'm working on a project that requires some very specific manipulations of alphabetic and numeric characters, and I haven't been able to find this topic covered in any online tutorial.

I need to be able to create a character with the text tool, lay a few rectangles over that character, then cut those rectangles out of the character (for example, with something like the Path > Difference tool). Afterward, I want to be able to use stroke so that each of the individual pieces of the character are outlined on each side.

I have tried creating text, using Path > Object to Path on the text, then laying rectangles over the text and using the Path > Difference, but nothing happens.

The only workaround I've managed to find is to create a character (for example, the letter 'B') using rectangles and circles, combine those paths, and then manipulate that object. The problem is that I need to create many characters, I want them to having something like a typical Arial font (and not look like a handmade combination of circles and rectangles), and it would be much, much easier to do this if I could utilize the text creation tool.

Any ideas?

Lazur · Postby **Lazur** » Mon Dec 04, 2017 6:00 am

Hi.

Filtering can be used for a graphical representation and it can work live.
Output may or may not work for you, it's a relatively simple trick.

Other option is using cloning -if the parent text had unset fill&stroke attributes, clones can have a stroke set. Then all you need to do is clip/mask the clone as you like.

Path/difference can also work but not in a live way.

Moini · Postby **Moini** » Mon Dec 04, 2017 6:41 am

I have tried creating text, using Path > Object to Path on the text, then laying rectangles over the text and using the Path > Difference, but nothing happens.

You need to ungroup the converted text first. It consists of a group of several letters.

Moini · Postby **Moini** » Mon Dec 04, 2017 6:42 am

Also, perhaps 'Division' will be more useful, perhaps?

tylerdurden · Postby **tylerdurden** » Mon Dec 04, 2017 9:16 am

Randomly arranged rectangles...

banjoo · Postby **banjoo** » Mon Dec 04, 2017 10:06 am

Have you tried using the clipping tool. Group the rectagles after making them path object>path. Do the same with the text. Place text on top, select both, object clip>set. And you can stroke after. The green was the original stroke from the rectangles.
The clipping tool is my best friend btw.

Lazur · Postby **Lazur** » Mon Dec 04, 2017 10:30 am

Filtering is the cheapest trick in the box.
Attached a quick example.

highlight.svg: (8.79 KiB) Downloaded 251 times

Mistermam · Postby **Mistermam** » Sun Dec 10, 2017 12:55 pm

Moini wrote:
I have tried creating text, using Path > Object to Path on the text, then laying rectangles over the text and using the Path > Difference, but nothing happens.

You need to ungroup the converted text first. It consists of a group of several letters.

GAH. Thank you so much! The text I'm using is just a single letter, so I didn't think it would still be considered grouped.

Ungrouping and then using Path > Division suits my needs perfectly. Thank you!

Moini · Postby **Moini** » Mon Dec 11, 2017 2:46 am

No worries, it's a common trap. Glad it works for you now!

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