Copying Anchor Points

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2021-09-07 14:36:01

Hi,

I just bought Pixelmator Pro to work on some vector drawings and was wondering how I can copy anchor points?
The drawing I am editing is supposed to be symmetrical and it is nearly impossible to exactly recreate hundreds of smooth anchor points :sweat_smile:

Any help is highly appreciated!

Thank you,
Michael
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2021-09-07 16:05:39

So you have drawn already one half of the design - then it´s just select all - group - duplicate - flip horizontally - drag in place.
Will this work for you?
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2021-09-07 20:32:33

by EllenM 2021-09-07 14:05:39 So you have drawn already one half of the design - then it´s just select all - group - duplicate - flip horizontally - drag in place.
Will this work for you?
No. I have drawn the whole design but want to edit both sides of different shapes so they are symmetrical. Imagine you create a triangle and make the left corner a custom smooth shape. How do you copy that curve to the right corner? I have this problem times 100 🙂
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2021-09-07 21:54:36

Oops - why don´t you just draw half of it and mirror later? If all layers have the same properties in terms of stroke width you can merge all layers - boolean subtract to stay with the side you want to mirror - duplicate - flip horizontally - move in place - done. If you can provide an example I can show how to do it if anything isn´t clear…
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2021-09-08 20:43:09

Because the basis of the graphic is a picture which I have transformed into a vector.
So copying anchor points is not possible?
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2021-09-08 22:49:32

An example file would be nice. If you mean copy some nodes from an existing vector path I guess the answer is: No. But this isn´t the end of the story - at least for me. So without and example I´m lost.
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2021-09-10 13:30:28

Dear Ellen,

Thanks for trying to help. Here is a screenshot of a small part of the graphic. I want both sides to be symmetrical so that the curves on the left side are identical to the ones on the right. I hope this helps!

Image
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2021-09-10 19:56:32

Mmmh - I don't mean that in an offensive or critical way, but it looks like you don't have much experience with vector graphics. And you really can't just duplicate the layer or object and flip it horizontally? I just don't understand the difficulty you're having. Why do you try to mimic the opposite part instead of copy&paste&flip?
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2021-09-10 21:55:59

I wonder if this might help:


file:///Users/marciachrist/Desktop/Screen%20Recording%202021-09-10%20at%202.45.44%20PM.mov
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2021-09-11 00:14:04

@ marciachrist not with this URL
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2021-09-11 02:34:37

Well darn. I copied and pasted the URL into the search field and the video came up for me. Oh well. I tried.
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2021-09-11 10:09:12

Well on your computer it might find it - but it´s not an URL which starts with "https://www.yadaydaectoo…"
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2021-09-11 12:57:40

Maybe this link might help. One more try.

https://youtu.be/DXPcGmJeYg0
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2021-09-11 13:12:31

Sure - YT works of course.
That´s what I recommended in my first reply except; there´s an explicit "Duplicate" command (shift+cmd+D) and the Flip icons in the Arrange tool shelf. ;-)
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2021-09-11 14:19:45

by EllenM Mmmh - I don't mean that in an offensive or critical way, but it looks like you don't have much experience with vector graphics. And you really can't just duplicate the layer or object and flip it horizontally? I just don't understand the difficulty you're having. Why do you try to mimic the opposite part instead of copy&paste&flip?
No offense taken. As I said before, I have this problem times 100 as the graphic is huge. Copying anchor points would be much more convenient. But I appreciate your idea and will give it a try. I will report back how it went.

After creating a vector from my image I turned it 45 degrees. Is there a way to make the rotation final so that vector layer selection is in a square again and can be aligned?
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2021-09-11 21:17:10

by pitchpatch 2021-09-11 12:19:45 After creating a vector from my image I turned it 45 degrees. Is there a way to make the rotation final so that vector layer selection is in a square again and can be aligned?
Go Format->Shape->Reset Shape Handles.
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2021-09-19 17:34:28

by EllenM 2021-09-11 19:17:10 Go Format->Shape->Reset Shape Handles.
Thanks. This worked like a charm!

I have now deleted one-half of my graphic, duplicated, and flipped it horizontally. The Merge Shape Components from the Format menu is grayed out. How can I merge the shapes?
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2021-09-19 19:24:55

I guess the workflow is: select the 2 shapes and go Format->Shape->Unite Shapes then Format->Shape->Merge Shape components if you want a single shape.
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2021-09-29 20:21:54

by EllenM 2021-09-19 17:24:55 I guess the workflow is: select the 2 shapes and go Format->Shape->Unite Shapes then Format->Shape->Merge Shape components if you want a single shape.
Strange workflow, but thanks. Unfortunately, this destroys my shape.

Things that looked like this:
Image

Look like this after uniting shapes:
Image

Do you have any idea how to prevent this?
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2021-09-29 21:17:45

Not sure what you´re doing:
https://postimg.cc/rD4HHkpB
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2021-09-30 14:39:22

Hm. I did the exact same thing only times 20 and the result is weird.
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2021-09-30 15:32:24

Oh well - I wish we could upload and share pxd-files. I ran out of guess work honestly.
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2021-10-02 07:09:08

by EllenM 2021-09-30 13:32:24 Oh well - I wish we could upload and share pxd-files. I ran out of guess work honestly.
Is there a way that I can share my pxd with you privately?
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2021-10-02 08:18:45

Unfortunately there´no direct messaging or profile available in this forum.
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2021-10-03 16:03:55

by EllenM Unfortunately there´no direct messaging or profile available in this forum - but have a look into the metadata of this image after downloading. Once you got it give me a quick note.
I´ll come back in 3 0r 4 days like you.
I don't see an image.