SVG2 - suggestion for a new path command to close a subpath smoothly

Hello,

there was already some discussion about new
path commands in SVG2 to simplify the work 
of authors.
I propose to introduce a new path command
as an extension of the commands S and Z.

This closes a subpath similar to the Z command,
but not with a straight line. It uses a cubic
curve like the S command. The first control
point it determined by the previous point and
its direction as for the S command.
The second control point is determined in a
similar way, but the first point of the subpath
that has to be closed is used and its direction.
The resulting effect is, that it is simpler for 
authors to close shapes in a smooth way without
a corner.
Today authors have to compute especially the
second control point manually to get this effect.
With some knowlegde in analysis (mathematics), this
is not difficult, but unfortunately it cannot be 
assumed, that all authors have such capabilities.

If information about the direction to determine the
control points is not available, corresponding rules
as for S apply (typically with the result, that there
will be corners again, but to avoid this is usually a
simple task for authors).


Suggestions for naming:
Because 'ß' (ligature for 'sz') would be only an intuitive 
name for german speaking people, maybe another name 
would be more preferable like 'Y' or 'R'. 'O' would be very 
suggestive, but can be mixed up with '0' (zero). 'B' would be
another, less suggestive choice, but with less problems as 'O'.


Olaf

Received on Saturday, 1 December 2012 17:01:32 UTC