Simple Hatch Pattern

[rfc]

Please add a simple hatch pattern to the pencil tool. I am quite surprised that patterns are not available to add fill within existing tools. I have read about the work-around that exists, but it is far too complicated for my taste. My guess is that there are particularities about your software that block you from easily adding patterns to your tools. Therefore, I would like to make this as simple as possible - add one pattern, in one colour, to the pencil tool. Because I am suggesting adding it to the pencil tool, there is no requirement for complex calculation to work through what to fill and at what scale. The user just pencils on the pattern where they want it. Done. Multiple patterns and the ability to change colours would be great, but not if it means that you never deliver even one simple pattern.

[Daniel - PDF-XChange]

Hello, rfc

Unfortunately this issue is not unique to our software, but an aspect of the PDF Specification. Comment items cannot utilize or contain hatching and so our hands are somewhat tied.

The only way around this by creating a bundle of items, then flattening them as a singular base content item. Another user (Mathew) has provided a fantastic tool to accomplish this quite easily, simply use the polygon or rectangle tools to draw the shape, and then activate his Javascript button to complete the process:

viewtopic.php?t=40329&start=100

Kind regards,

[Mathew]

simply use the polygon or rectangle tools to draw the shape, and then activate his Javascript button to complete the process:

viewtopic.php?t=40329&start=100

It will also recognize pencil lines as boundaries for the hatch patterns, but you have to be a bit strategic on making sure they make a closed shape:

image.png

With hatch:

image(1).png

Selecting the stem and one side:

image(2).png

[Sean - PDF-XChange]

Very nice, thanks Mathew.

Kind regards,

[rfc]

Thank you for your information. I would have thought you could code an independent raster layer that could contain graphic tools independent of pdf structure restrictions. This independent layer could be rasterized by flattening to remove all graphic code elements that interfere with the pdf structure rules, which would then allow the layer to be merged into the pdf file without conflict. There must be a way around these difficulties.

[Daniel - PDF-XChange]

Hello, rfc

There most certainly are ways to do so (like with Mathew's JS tool), however we have a very small team with limited time. Tasks like this do take a great deal to implement. Our software is not designed as or intended as an image editing application, and we do not have the resources to sink into building something of that ilk without taking away from other important areas in the software. The Specification note was in relation to making it part of a comment's properties specifically, but yes, it would be possible to generate a static stamp, or base content item with these patterns in place.

Unfortunately, the low demand and high complexity mean that to my knowledge, this has been rejected as a new development target for the foreseeable future.

Kind regards,

[rfc]

Yes, I fully understand your point and I have modified my expectations accordingly. For me, this is now at an end. You have been most helpful and I thank you for that.

[Daniel - PDF-XChange]