Drawing "Walls" - Connecting the end points

RevenantBob · August 2016

When drawing with walls, bulkhead, or other such tools. I lay out the walls in a polygon shape, but the end points don't "Connect" leaving odd drawing issues or shapes that aren't correct. I attached an image with a red box around the problem area to get an idea.

How do I "Connect" The end points?

Monsen · August 2016

If the outline is unbroken (Except for that point obviously), use Path to Poly to turn it into a polygon. If the outline is broken (by doors, windows and such), use combine paths to combine those two lines into one continuous path. Both these commands can be found by right-clicking the Explode button.

Dogtag · August 2016

Start drawing your walls and bulkheads one or two grid snaps away from the corners. That way, you'll always draw around each corner and will close the wall along a side, rather than at a corner.

The effect you're seeing now is caused by having the endpoints of the walls at a corner. The endpoints do meet (you can see that in your screen capture) but the thickness of the walls extends out to the side a little, creating a sort of notch.

Cheers,
~Dogtag

Dogtag · August 2016

Sometimes, the quickest way to fix existing walls is to simply delete them and then redraw them. However, you can also use the node editing tools (usually on the left toolbar) to move the endpoints of existing walls. For example, use Node Edit to move one endpoint away from the corner and then use Insert Node to add a node to the other endpoint so it extends around the corner to meet the first one. You'll probably want to hide the FLOORS or DECK sheet/layer and use the Endpoint modifier button or the Attach button (in the bottom right corner) when doing so.

A quick and easy, but less elegant way to fix those pesky corners could be the CORNER command. It's a little-known gem that doesn't seem to get a lot of press for some reason.

Type CORNER in the command line (I don't know where it is in the menus, if anywhere).
Click one wall.
Click the other wall.
Right-click and then select Do it from the pop-up menu.

Voila! Magic. If you have trouble, try changing the order in which you click the walls.

I hope that helps.

Cheers,
~Dogtag

RevenantBob · August 2016

Posted By: MonsenIf the outline is unbroken (Except for that point obviously), use Path to Poly to turn it into a polygon. If the outline is broken (by doors, windows and such), use combine paths to combine those two lines into one continuous path. Both these commands can be found by right-clicking the Explode button.

This worked beautifully. Thanks a ton.

What if you happen to have two paths that intersect or overlap? Is there a way to "merge" them? Combine paths does funky things

Monsen · August 2016

Posted By: RevenantBobWhat if you happen to have two paths that intersect or overlap?

In most cases, I would just hide one beneath the other. Or use cut and break to get rid of overlapping parts. Also remeber, combine path makes one long continous path, it won't do intersections. But since effects work on the result, hiding wall ends under other walls generally work perfectly fine.

RevenantBob · August 2016

It had similar visual errors as the shot which is why I was asking. The effects didn't seem to take the union of the pixel area to apply the effect... I'll play with it.

JimP · September 2016

The screenshot looks like mine does when I overlap the two ends.

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Drawing "Walls" - Connecting the end points

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