Difference between revisions of "Documentation/UserGuide/Draw/Tools/Bezier"

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The curve in the figure was build with three points, the central displaying the slope controls. If we build the curve following the arrow, we can call the bar <big>a</big> as "former slope control" and the <big>b</big> bar as "later slope control".
 
The curve in the figure was build with three points, the central displaying the slope controls. If we build the curve following the arrow, we can call the bar <big>a</big> as "former slope control" and the <big>b</big> bar as "later slope control".
  
First of all, we need to select the Bézier tool [[File:ES-bezier2.png]] (the icon could be different depending on the icon set selected under {{Menu|Tools|Options|Apache OpenOffice|View|Icon size and style}}) and trace the curve following the steps below (each point on the list reflects the number on the picture below, the black arrow is the "real" curve while the red arrows show the movement of the mouse):
+
First of all, we need to select the Bézier tool [[File:ES-bezier2.png]] (the icon could be different depending on the icon set selected under {{Menu|Tools|Options|OpenOffice|View|Icon size and style}}) and trace the curve following the steps below (each point on the list reflects the number on the picture below, the black arrow is the "real" curve while the red arrows show the movement of the mouse):
  
 
# One click, without releasing the mouse button, on the starting point
 
# One click, without releasing the mouse button, on the starting point

Revision as of 20:43, 24 March 2013

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Bézier curves are common on vector drawing programs and are built giving a series of points, the slope to both sides of each point and how "flat" the curve is there. The way Bézier curves are implemented in Draw is a bit different from other vector drawing programs like Inkscape, but it is not difficult to master.

ES-bezier1.png

The curve in the figure was build with three points, the central displaying the slope controls. If we build the curve following the arrow, we can call the bar a as "former slope control" and the b bar as "later slope control".

First of all, we need to select the Bézier tool ES-bezier2.png (the icon could be different depending on the icon set selected under Tools → Options → OpenOffice → View → Icon size and style) and trace the curve following the steps below (each point on the list reflects the number on the picture below, the black arrow is the "real" curve while the red arrows show the movement of the mouse):

  1. One click, without releasing the mouse button, on the starting point
  2. Move the mouse on the direction of the later slope control for that point and release the mouse button
  3. Click, again without releasing the mouse button, on the next point
  4. Move the mouse on the direction of the former control for that point and release the button
  5. Repeat points 3 and 4 until the curve is completed
  6. A double click on the last point or the initial will end the process (on the last case, the curve will be closed).

ES-bezier3.png

From the second point the "later control" is not specified. This point is automatically set on the opposite direction to the "former control".

Playing with the "Edit points" toolbar, it is possible to add, remove or move points, cut or "break" the curve, separating the controls behaviour to obtain angles.

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