I was using the Perspective Distortion on a path-from-text the other day when I noticed a usability gripe: The tool's on-canvas preview (i.e. the transformation handles and guides) used the entire image canvas size. Although it did display an on-canvas preview of the path being transformed, the particular skew I was looking for required stretching the transformation handles well outside the bounds of the image canvas -- not exactly convenient when the path in question occupies a relatively small portion of the entire image canvas.

For comparison, when you use a transform tool on a layer, GIMP uses the bounds of that layer for the preview grid (if a selection is present, GIMP also limits it to the layer's selected area). Likewise, if you use a transformation tool on the selection mask itself, GIMP also uses the rectangular bounds of that selection.

But when you use a transform tool on a path, GIMP should grab the rectangular bounds of the path you are modifying and base its preview (transformation handles and guides) on that. Much more intuitive that it's modifying a path, not the whole image.

-- Stratadrake strata_ranger@hotmail.com
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Numbers may not lie, but neither do they tell the whole truth.

Date: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 09:08:53 +0200 From: ofnuts@laposte.net
To: gimp-developer-list@gnome.org
Subject: Re: [Gimp-developer] Paths need better display of on-canvas transform tools

If you have a selection the transform tool handles are on the boundaries of the selection... (the tool will still apply to the whole path)

http://i.imgur.com/ApvhjV0.png

A workaround, I know. It's just that the transform tool handles need to reflect the item that is actually being affected -- they already do that if it's the current layer (or selected portion of a layer) or selection mask itself. Paths just need to follow suit.

-- Stratadrake strata_ranger@hotmail.com
--------------------
Numbers may not lie, but neither do they tell the whole truth.