When using the pen tool how do I keep the points in my lines constant and not allow the program to insert new points?

Thanks

really? flash is adding additional points when using the "pen" tool? i cant replicate that - mx? mx2004? what OS?

chris georgenes
mudbubble.com
Team Macromedia Volunteer for Flash

ya it must be something I have set in my preferences somewhere I will draw a curve and when i reactivate the line it will add opoints along the curve. Its driving me crazy.

i just started a subject on that topic because i didn't find any other threads per search... i have the same problem, no matter if windows 2000 or xp, flash 5 or mx. it usually happens when drawing lines with the pen/white arrow and then using undo. often also when shape tweening, which is really "aaaargh!!!" any hints why?!? no other users complaining so far?

thanks, danny

ah...I am not alone...I have tried messing with the preferences, thought it might be something to do with the "automatic smooth line" option, nothing yet.

LG

i wrote this in my previous thread (to which no one is answering... hmpf!) - i guess flash sometimes "redraws" shapes giving the look priority to the shape. maybe it has to do with the routine that lets you paint vector grafiks doing all the combining/merging of the shapes automaticly -maybe routine sometimes combines/merges your shape with all the other shapeas -even if there are none there- and then redraws it it it's own "optimized" way. ...am i making sense?

well this is just guessing anyway, and it doesn't fix the problem which to me has always been a BIG one, i mean the ONE thing i allways found bad -and i mean really bad!- about flash. one does shape tweening and -boom- all of a sudden 20 points more to handle! i don't understand that this is not a major discussion in the forum, i thought millions of designers should have the same problem.. or they're all not shape tweening.... (boooo)


greetings, danny.

i guess i'm definately one of those who have never complained about the addition of points after shape tweening because;
a) i dont often use shape tweening.
b) when i do it's with such primitive shapes (sqaure, circle, etc) that the file size is still tiny before and after tweening.
c) can not seem to shape tween any kind of shape and end up with 20 additional shapes added to the original.

can you please provide an example fla where this is happening? not that i can solve the issue - but i'm curious.

chris georgenes
mudbubble.com
Team Macromedia Volunteer for Flash
http://www.flashfilmmaker.com

it's not only about shape tweening (i don't tween that much myself) but..

it's also when you for instance "draw" a simple shape and then do undo - suddenly there are a few more points inserted to move around and things get complicated. if you then delete the new points the handles are to short and, well, you start adjusting them again but it dosn't look like it did befor undoing -and because it happend through undoing you... well.. can't undo anymore.

i'm sorry i don't have a great example online, but if you check http://www.monstermouse.net there is something where i had that problem, too. just click on the guy at the right top and you'll see a very simple anim. of a stick figure. simple shape, i know, but even here flash included/excluded points. for example if you move an arm straight for one pose you'll lose the elbow joint etc..

i know it's def. not the best example but the thing i'm working on know is not online no ftp passwords with me .... i hope you understand what i mean anyway.

has this ever been an issue to other designers?

thanks for your response -danny.

hmmm...i'm trying to duplicate this still...

i have made shapes with the brush tool - and have made shapes with the pen tool - shapes with straigght edges and curved edges - then i have rotated, moved, scaled and applied undos to all - still the same number of points as when i started.
i'm running win 2000 Pro and XP - MX and MX2004.

chris georgenes
mudbubble.com
Team Macromedia Volunteer for Flash
http://www.flashfilmmaker.com

ok, here the "how to wreck a spline" guide in .hmm.. i think 4 steps:

i just tried it myself a few times and it works everytime with me. it could be my charma -since working on computers i'm sure there is a such thing as charma!- but i don't really think it's doing it on this case..

draw a curve with the pen tool

select one point with the white arrow

drag the point anywhere

do undo (strg z)

-and there they are, the additional points!


well, maybe it's really just me, having some strange routine i'm not aware of myself provoking this "bug" but i can't imagine what i'm doing wrong...

i sent you an email with screenshots of how i manage to get it done..
-greetings, danny.

i see now - i can duplicate this issue - seems like a bug to me...i'll submit it.
thanks danny!

chris georgenes
mudbubble.com
Team Macromedia Volunteer for Flash
http://www.flashfilmmaker.com

Flash doesn't use the points you see when working with the pen tool. It has its own, simpler way to define arcs and the translation back and forth causes the 'extra points'.

http://www.macromedia.com/support/flash/ts/documents/beziers.htm



Referring URLs
http://www.macromedia.com/support/flash/ts/documents/beziers.htm

thanks Pete!


chris georgenes
mudbubble.com
Team Macromedia Volunteer for Flash
http://www.flashfilmmaker.com

as i guessed...

will this ever be changed? i see that this routine is quite nice for painting the shapes, but when you want do draw curves it gets quite annoying to end with loads more points than you planned....
(btw. - is this often an issue in the forum?)

thanks, danny.

It has come up a few times. Personally it has never bothered me. I save the perfectionist, pen side of my brain for Illustrator and stick to slash and burn when drawing in Flash.