- I write some text, convert it to a path
- I draw a rectangle using
- I convert that one to a path too and adjust the rectangle nodes with
- ctrl+A,"modify path - perspective" and I get this abomination:



Obviously I need the text to be horizontal. Why does Inkscape turn it 90 degrees?

My guess would be because the extension is coded that way:
the trapezium's bases are tend to be vertical lines, thus the shorter base is where the fill path should start, from it's original left to right.
I always mess up this for the first time too, some 90° rotation and it works fine.

Take a look at this one

Even though you used Rectangle tool, it does not say from where you`ve drawn the first point, and it does matters in this case. Sometimes enabling path direction could also make it all easier.

This is shockingly complicated compared to Illustrator. If I'm not satisfied, I need to go back about four steps, whereas in Illustrator, one undo is enough.

?!

inkschaap wrote:This is shockingly complicated compared to Illustrator. If I'm not satisfied, I need to go back about four steps, whereas in Illustrator, one undo is enough.

Perspective extension maps bottom left of your selection to the first point you draw, and continues clockwise for the next three. Illustrator 'assumes' that you want it drawn the 'usual' way. Seems to me for the cost of learning the right order to draw the path you are getting much more versatility. That might come as a shock, of course!

Seems to me one undo takes you back to before you applied the extension.... What other three steps are you talking about? Why are you starting with a rectangle? Use the Bezier pen to draw a path. Inkscape does not need a quadrilateral, only four points. Leaving one side undrawn makes it easy to see the beginning and end of your path. Once you know how to do it it should not require any more work.

(Disclaimer: Haven't used Illustrator for many years now. They may have fixed their software to be more like inkscape.)

druban wrote:Perspective extension maps bottom left of your selection to the first point you draw, and continues clockwise for the next three. Illustrator 'assumes' that you want it drawn the 'usual' way. Seems to me for the cost of learning the right order to draw the path you are getting much more versatility. That might come as a shock, of course!

Seems to me one undo takes you back to before you applied the extension.... What other three steps are you talking about? Why are you starting with a rectangle? Use the Bezier pen to draw a path. Inkscape does not need a quadrilateral, only four points. Leaving one side undrawn makes it easy to see the beginning and end of your path. Once you know how to do it it should not require any more work.

(Disclaimer: Haven't used Illustrator for many years now. They may have fixed their software to be more like inkscape.)

What are you on about? I mean that in Inkscape, you need about four steps whereas in Illustrator, you just choose the transform tool with a key shortcut and off you go. If I'm not satisfied with the result, I just hit ctrl+Z once and restart, in Inkscape I need to undo more than one step. To claim that Illustrator is less versatile and more complicated, is a lie.

I'm starting with a rectangle so the sides are geometrically correct instead of placing a node here and there randomly with the pen tool. Inkscape has a lot to learn from Illustrator in terms of userfriendliness and workflow.

@ Inkschaap

Does your claims include zooming with the mouse wheel? Perhaps Autosave? Magnificent capabilities of Direct select tool? Selecting, as a ..... well, selecting? Maybe snapping? Guides? No, wait - it`s Smart Guides! There is also that magnificent moment related to the use of space bar? Know what I`m talking about? ,) That`s my favorite, since it last for years and years and keeps coming with the New and Improved editions like a trade mark ,) Some less careful users could be recognized by the default sounds from their machines, while working in Illustrator.

If you`re happy just with the graphical fx than I could point you to some amazing programs which are almost freeware, comparing to Illustrator`s price, while creating reeeaally cool fx. Which led me to the question - what workflow are you talking about? Yours or of some ... no, I don`t want even to write that nonsense which some people are using as a title and prefix to their names. Bare in mind that Inkscape is a freeware and opensource program, so it`s not that unusual to hear about bug reports BUT if you pay quite a sum for The best software - how would you explain bug reports related to the very same sw? Perhaps you`ve heard of someone getting money back?!

Let me help you visualize that - I`m driving Maybach and it`s all nice. I even got used to not using glove compartment.

inkschaap wrote:What are you on about? I mean that in Inkscape, you need about four steps whereas in Illustrator, you just choose the transform tool with a key shortcut and off you go. If I'm not satisfied with the result, I just hit ctrl+Z once and restart, in Inkscape I need to undo more than one step. To claim that Illustrator is less versatile and more complicated, is a lie.

Sorry I missed your nice reply, but I think you got many other answers anyway. The undo history lets you go straight back to where you want to undo to without the intermediate undos. I'm sure illustrator has that too.

Since I am not familiar anymore with Illustrator's transform tool, I can't say with certainty that the corresponding Inkscape tool is not the perspective extension but the envelope LPE. Can you try it and tell us the difference? The perspective tool is rather a different tool that does a particular calculation using vanishing points. A simple transform requires less CPU and you might like the fact that LPEs remain editable so you don't even have to do an undo, you just keep working with it.

Sorry if we can't give you what you want! Not sure what that is - you have Illustrator, you have Inkscape, what did you want exactly?