I am using Inkscape with an eye tracking device for a paralyzed individual, where it isn't easy to do complex clicking like double clicks and drags. Moreover, the device does NOT have a level of accuracy equivalent to a mouse and Bezier curves do not complete until the mouse cursor is completely inside the small initial node square.
I was wondering if it would be possible to increase the size of node so that it would be easy for the user to complete a curve using just the single left click.


I would be glad to provide additional information if I wasn't clear enough. Thanks so much!

Welcome to InkscapeForum

Unfortunately, it's not possible to increase the size of the nodes. And as an open source project, it's not likely that some sort of accessibility package will be added, any time soon. Not that I've heard of, anyway.

I know that someone made a children's version of Inkscape, called Kidscape (I think). I don't know if it might have oversized nodes, because I've never seen the program (although I think I should have a look at it one of these days....) but it seems reasonable that it might. However, I don't think it has all the features of the regular Inkscape.

If you know anything about programming, or you know someone who does, it might not be very hard to create a customized version of Inkscape though, which has bigger nodes. But it would take a really lot of work to eliminate double clicks and drags.

However, many, many mouse movements can be achieved through keyboard control. In Help menu > Keys and Mouse Ref links to this page )

Thanks so much for the quick response.

I seem to have everything down except for the node size. Don't have any pressing need to get ride of double clicks and drags.
Any idea what exactly I'd have to change in the code ? Unfortunately I'm on Windows and I need to stay on Windows (for the accessibility app) and I hear it's hell to try and compile the source code on here.

It's for this gem of a gentleman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM30JGnn ... plpp_video

Hhmmm, I don't know anything about coding myself, and I'm only guessing that it would be fairly easy to make larger nodes. After all, there are only 4 kinds of nodes, and I assume they are simple images. I'm thinking you'd just have to replace the image that Inkscape uses to display the nodes. But I really have no idea how. And I could be wrong about that -- I'm just guessing. And to answer specifically, I don't know how to compile code, so I don't know how hard or easy it is.

You can look through the Developer Documentation section of this page, to get started http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/Inkscape. But unless you know something about programming, it probably won't be very helpful. But I expect that someone who knows more about it will reply with the info you need, before too long. If it's not very hard to do, maybe someone would even volunteer to do it for you??

All best

darkarrow wrote:... and Bezier curves do not complete until the mouse cursor is completely inside the small initial node square.
I was wondering if it would be possible to increase the size of node so that it would be easy for the user to complete a curve using just the single left click.

Good news!

I'd already been working on that this weekend, and just tonight got to the point of committing the first phase. The general path nodes are not resizing yet, but the start/end handles for the pen and pencil tools can be increased. Revision 11316 in the trunk has this first change. The hit detection might not be there yet, and it also should take some sizing from the current theme (so 'Large Print' can help for accessibility needs). More should show up tonight and over the next few days.

Drop in the IRC chat room sometime if you want to get more specifics improved.

JonCruz,

Hi everyone,
In another topic, when I was asking for a solution to a specific problem, I recently learned about a button on the Node tool control bar "Show transformation handles for selected nodes". It's not a perfect solution, and making bigger nodes will ultimately be the best. But meanwhile, this might help moving nodes. You'd still have to use the selection box technique (rubberband selection) to select groups of nodes. But the transformation handles (not to be confused with Bezier handles) are bigger, and easier to grab. Just a thought

JonCruz wrote:I'd already been working on that this weekend, and just tonight got to the point of committing the first phase. The general path nodes are not resizing yet, but the start/end handles for the pen and pencil tools can be increased. Revision 11316 in the trunk has this first change. The hit detection might not be there yet, and it also should take some sizing from the current theme (so 'Large Print' can help for accessibility needs). More should show up tonight and over the next few days.

Hi guys,

I work with a graphic tablet since a few days and I am looking for exact this function. I took a look on the code Revision 11316 and the preferences in my inkscape version (0.91 r13725) to find the function to increase the size of the start/end handles, but I must confess that I can't find them. So I want ask, if the function is still available. Thx in advance!


EDIT: But maybe it's better to drag the bezier segment instead of the start/end handles.

Yes, in 0.91 there are new controls for the size of nodes and other handles.

Inkscape Preferences > Input/Output > Input Devices > Handle size

I think the default is 3.