RE: Simple Paths

Hi Andrew,

> Closepath Z and Moveto M don't allow proper drawing of some objects.
> 
> Imagine a room with a doorway.  I want to leave a gap at the doorway,
AND I want to use closepath so that the lines at the corner form a good
shape.  EG
>
> <path d=" M 0 0 h 100 v 100 h -100 v -60 m 0 20 z " />
> 
> leaves an ugly corner at the origin (0,0).
>
> That is clumsy, and well worth correcting.

I agree that this is clumsy.  We discussed it at a recent working group
conference call and it was decided that we didn't want to change the
syntax of the path element this close to last call.  It is something,
though, that we might address in a future version of SVG.

One way with the current syntax to get around this problem is to use
line-cap.  See attached SVG for an example (thanks Chris!).

> M has no equivalents of H and V.  Lots of graphics need
horizontal/vertical lines, AND gaps.  But M forces use of both
coordinates!  (??weird anomaly??)

Again, being so close to last call with SVG 1.2, this is something that
we aren't going to address.

> Sorry to grumble.  Svg has some strong points, but (like all of us, I
guess) it is not perfect.

No need to apologize for grumbling.  If people didn't grumble, the spec
wouldn't get any better!

Thanks again for your feedback.

Scott Hayman