Rounded corners on irregular objects

[ruel24]

1.) Create your object at full size

2.) Shrink your object, holding the control key, to something a bit smaller - about 3/4 size.

3.) Create a Dynamic Offset (Path->Dynamic Offset) and pull the handle to make it larger until you're happy with the size of the rounded corners.

4.) Click on the select cursor and resize, again, holding the control key, to the size you need it.

Voila!

[Digitante]

Whew. Never noticed that option.

I noticed that I seem to need to have the object-edit arrow (not the regular select arrow) tool in use before it will give me the "handle" that you refer to.

Also, for interest's sake, the resulting object is no longer a "path". But you can make it one by using Path->Object-to-path, which I was relieved to find.

[Jaws]

Taking the liberty to use graphics to illustrate Ruel's tutorial. I want to make it clear in my head of what is an excellent idea he has had. I hope you don't mind Ruel and I hope this is what you meant. Using text may not be the best example but...

An irregular object. In this case some Arial text in a 400 wide by 140 high document.

1.) Create your object at full size



2.) Shrink your object, holding the control key, to something a bit smaller - about 3/4 size.



3.) Create a Dynamic Offset (Path->Dynamic Offset) and pull the handle to make it larger until you're happy with the size of the rounded corners.



4.) Click on the select cursor and resize, again, holding the control key, to the size you need it.



Thanks Ruel, neat trick.

Cheers

[ruel24]

Jaws, you graphics have disappeared. Where'd they go?

[Jaws]

What the h***!

It looks like all images from all my tuts are gone.

... And they're back. Server problem, perhaps.

Cheers

[Paul LeBlanc]

 You hate me dont you??? 

[Jaws]

I like you again, but watch your step.

[Jaws]

But it wasn't your server but the one I use so I can post inline images. BTW, you told Ruel you'd check into that. Any news?, check that, never mind.

Cheers

[Paul LeBlanc]

 I tell people a lot of things... but, I'm psychotic so.....
 I'll look into it... I remember telling him that, but at the time I was going through the beginnings of a second custody battle so my mind was not up to it's usual 100% delirium

[Digitante]

An alternative way to create a very similar effect:

1) Duplicate the object
2) Use the stroke menu to add a stroke width (the larger it is, the more rounded the corners).
3) In the stroke menu, be sure to select rounded corners
4) Now select the line object and use Path->Stroke-to-path
5) Then select both the original object and the new object and use Path->Union

This achieves nearly the same effect, and may be somewhat easier (though less dynamic) to control.