Inkscape as a Schematic Editor

Flesh out your ideas for new or improved Inkscape features before submitting a request.
temsa

Inkscape as a Schematic Editor

Postby temsa » Tue Apr 20, 2010 6:07 pm

Since 0.47, I do already use Inkscape for my schematics, with great results :)

Most of my objects are :tool_rectangle: with round corners and :tool_text: inside and or some drawing or image set as a group, and often containing again another :tool_rectangle: with :tool_text: as a group,.

What is missing to me is (it may exist but I didn't find how to do this):

- a(n easy ?) way to put the connectors ( :tool_connector: ) between shapes ( :tool_star: ) where I want ( :tool_node: :!: )

- some kind of object library, I do use a lot of different :tool_rectangle: with different :tool_gradient: and filters. I often just copy/paste the groups then change the :tool_gradient: for another main color or use another filter

- having the ability to select a property as a "group property", for example, I would like to be able to change the different foreground colors of my main elements in my groups just by clicking on the group, not by selecting each sub element, one by one (it can be annoying when you have ten levels of groups)

- having an option not to change the border radius for :tool_rectangle: with round corners when resizing the element or the group containing the element

- having an option to anchor my text on a part of another shape/group, like being anchored relatively to the middle of a border, relatively to a corner, or relatively to the middle of the element

- having the ability to set what elements to resize or not when resizing a group

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microUgly
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Re: Inkscape as a Schematic Editor

Postby microUgly » Tue Apr 20, 2010 8:36 pm

I don't have answers for all your questions....
temsa wrote:some kind of object library, I do use a lot of different with different and filters. I often just copy/paste the groups then change the for another main color or use another filter

You can copy an object with the style you want, then paste the style on another object (Ctrl+Shift+V). It's not the same as having a library, but I tend to create a collection of object with the styles I want off to the side of my drawing.
temsa wrote:I would like to be able to change the different foreground colors of my main elements in my groups just by clicking on the group, not by selecting each sub element, one by one (it can be annoying when you have ten levels of groups)

This should be how Inkscape works already. It is how it work for me. Select the group, select a colour and all objects in the group change colour.
temsa wrote:having an option not to change the border radius for with round corners when resizing the element or the group containing the element

With :tool_selector: selected, on the tool control bar there is a label on the right named "Affect" followed by a series of buttons. Each of those buttons toggles how effects transform with the object. Turn of the rounded-corner one so they don't resize.
temsa wrote:having an option to anchor my text on a part of another shape/group, like being anchored relatively to the middle of a border, relatively to a corner, or relatively to the middle of the element

You can't anchor it, but you can align it precisely from the Align and Distribute dialog (under the object menu). Also, if you drag a rectangle with :tool_text: the same size as the object it relates to, then you can use the text align options to position the text. Then just group the label and object together and that's a form of anchor.

temsa

Re: Inkscape as a Schematic Editor

Postby temsa » Tue Apr 20, 2010 11:14 pm

microUgly wrote:You can copy an object with the style you want, then paste the style on another object (Ctrl+Shift+V). It's not the same as having a library, but I tend to create a collection of object with the styles I want off to the side of my drawing.

I'll try this, good tip :)

microUgly wrote:This should be how Inkscape works already. It is how it work for me. Select the group, select a colour and all objects in the group change colour.

Hmm this not what I wanted in fact, it was not clear but I would like, for example, change the background gradient of my main element, but not the other members of the group, this is more like I wanted. The "affect" option may be what I want, I'll check it.

microUgly wrote:You can't anchor it, but you can align it precisely from the Align and Distribute dialog (under the object menu). Also, if you drag a rectangle with :tool_text: the same size as the object it relates to, then you can use the text align options to position the text. Then just group the label and object together and that's a form of anchor.

I do use a lot "Align and Distribute dialog" and "text align", but I would like this as an anchoring system (that let me put things relatively to the size or fixed to the given anchor position)rather than a one shot operation.

P.S.: "affects" seems a great option =)


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