First of all, I have to say that Krita is a discovery, brush engine alongside power full presets system is just stunning. Still, I would like to resolve a little issue before it becomes an integral part of my workflow. On example, in the process of drawing, retouching or making 3d paint-overs, I usually make a quick straight lines without need to change the base tool. Similar to what you can do inside Photoshop or Gimp, where you make a straight line by clicking on one point in space and then to another while holding the Shift key. You keep your original brush so you don't have to switch to any other tool to make the line perfectly straight. Maybe there is a way to do it already inside Krita but if that's not the case, I would humbly ask for this feature to be implemented, if possible.

Congrats to devs for wonderful job on the project!

Well, it's kind of coming full circle... When I started working on Krita, we implemented the geometric tools so they would be visible. Back then, everyone complained that GIMP et al made it so difficult to discover how to paint straight lines -- and we wanted make it easy.

Of course, we've changed focus over time, and now we're aiming at people who are professional enough to be prepared to spend some time learning a complex, capable application. So it might be a good idea to revisit this idea, but I cannot promise any quick changes. Especially since the shift key already is occupied by the on-canvas brush resizing, which is used a lot.

Right now, the quickest way to switch to the line tool and back is to assign a shortcut to the line tool (settings/shortcuts) and use that shortcut and 'b' to switch between the tools.

Hi Boudewijn,

thank you a lot for such an elaborate answer. This clearly show that even if this certain does not get implemented that open source is the way to go!

And when you are mentioning the shift key being occupied, I have forgot to add there is an issue with brush resizing on Windows platform. It seems that circle showing the size of the brush is scaling really erratic. Seems like there is an issue with OpenGL or similar tech involved.

In any case, congrats on the 2.4 official release and all the best in further development!

Yes, I've noticed the problem with the brush size preview on Windows as well. It's on the list of must-fix issues -- but I haven't had time to dig in yet.

boudewijn wrote:Well, it's kind of coming full circle... When I started working on Krita, we implemented the geometric tools so they would be visible. Back then, everyone complained that GIMP et al made it so difficult to discover how to paint straight lines -- and we wanted make it easy.

Of course, we've changed focus over time, and now we're aiming at people who are professional enough to be prepared to spend some time learning a complex, capable application. So it might be a good idea to revisit this idea, but I cannot promise any quick changes. Especially since the shift key already is occupied by the on-canvas brush resizing, which is used a lot.

Right now, the quickest way to switch to the line tool and back is to assign a shortcut to the line tool (settings/shortcuts) and use that shortcut and 'b' to switch between the tools.

I know, I've already asked it but Krita is now so powerful that I have to ask for "Instant straight lines" feature again. This is the only reason I'm still using Photoshop over Krita for painting and sketching. I don't use geometry tools in general because I just need an option to paint or draw without interruptions to my workflow. I am aware that shift is already occupied but maybe some option for the custom key could still be implemented?

Thanks!

Yeah... theoretically it isn't hard, and we have a new input manager framework that makes these kind of extensions a doddle. But I really, really haven't got a clue which shortcut/modifier we can still use . Once we can decide on the interaction design, the implementation is easy.

Well, maybe users could be able to assign what they want to specific keys?
What does the Alt key do again? And is there a way to use the left and right shift, ctrl and alt keys separately for example?

If there is more features then default shortcuts then easiest thing is made some of features empty by default. Let people decide - if they want they can always assign something to it.
Not that I particularly need that lines - just saying.

boudewijn wrote:Yeah... theoretically it isn't hard, and we have a new input manager framework that makes these kind of extensions a doddle. But I really, really haven't got a clue which shortcut/modifier we can still use . Once we can decide on the interaction design, the implementation is easy.

First of all thanks for listening ! I am therefore just going to clarify on the fact I am looking for an option to assign a custom key to enable this functionality. I am not asking to change a default behavior, rather some custom option to enable it via shift or some other custom key as needed it. I am really glad to see some other users suggesting this as well.

Cheers!

Hello, I finally registered here to show support for development of this feature. My work is primarily delineation of buildings, so orthographic lines are often the core of my work. I've been itching to move all my production to Krita, but this is one of the main things holding me back!

Currently photoshop has 2 methods of doing straight lines without activating the line tool:
Holding shift will constrain you to horizontal, vertical, or 45 degree lines based on your movement.

If you hold shift and single click with the mouse (as opposed to holding down the mouse for a brush stroke) Photoshop will connect lines between the dots.

These two methods actually conflict with each other and often glitch out or give unintended results, but anyhow...
the first method allows straight lines with varied pressure with your stylus. You can get a beautiful line using it..

the new mypaint 1.1 release has some outstanding new tools for lines and curves. You still can't do a true varied pressure line I don't believe, but they have a pressure graph you can adjust to need.

i'd love to see the mypaint line tools in krita, however something like photoshop's shift constraint would also be an much welcomed addition. since shift is already dedicated to the brush size, perhaps it could occupy the alt modifier. that - or simply be a field option in the keyboard shortcut dialogue. further.. maybe preferences allows you to pick your constrain angles?


phew i'll stop there on my first post! thanks krita team!

maygon wrote:i'd love to see the mypaint line tools in krita, however something like photoshop's shift constraint would also be an much welcomed addition. since shift is already dedicated to the brush size, perhaps it could occupy the alt modifier.

For me (Running Arch Linux+AwesomeWM), Alt is okay. However I'm aware that on some window-managers, Alt+Clicking is intercepted by the WM (meaning Krita would never receive any Alt+click event).

Although it's less ideal, another possibility is 'bounce back' tools; so you can hit a key to select Line tool, and after it's applied once, it returns to the previously active tool.
This could have broader applicability (for example, I imagine using a selection tool followed by painting is common; then it might be good for selection tools to 'bounce'.)

ah! yes the alt issue hit me after I posted. In Mint I've changed the window-size/move function of alt to the meta key (M$ key) ! seems we are all out of modifiers for the majority... hopefully we can see their functionality choice in the keyboard shortcuts dialog.

i've had my eye on arch_linux as my next distro to try, I'll have to check out awesomewm. thanks for the heads up

I've actually started looking at other apps to see how they handle geometric drawing, and I've noticed that Autocad allows you to switch some of the drawing tools while you are still drawing. It's a bit different with Autocad, since it's a bit more like working with vectors, but Krita could maybe consider something like that. Basically, you could start with your freehand tool, then switch to the line tool with a shortcut while you're still drawing, then switch back. It sounds annoying, but if you use a shorcut near your freehand F button, it should be easy to switch.

By the way, can anyone recommend me programs with innovative drawing tools and drawing assistants to study? I'm thinking of gathering UI ideas from other programs. Once I'm done gathering everything in one big page, I was thinking of discussing possibilities with everyone. Krita doesn't have to implement them, but it'd be nice to have around in case a developer is interested.

The programs on my to-study list so far are (I'm not limiting myself to raster):
- Gimp
- Inkscape
- MyPaint (someone mentioned a nice interface for variable line width, it made me think of a pressure-simulation drop-down curve for non-freehand tools for example. I have already submitted a separate "map to path length" idea, but come to think of it, modifying the curve is cumbersome that way)
- Autocad: online manual

I don't want to turn Krita into a CAD software, bleh, just think of ways to make it easier to draw good approximations since 2D drawings have the occasional geometrical elements such as buildings, guns, vehicles, gears, jewelry etc. I think if they were actually easier to draw, I'd actually draw them. :S (and no, I'm not learning 3D software just for those)

I'm using tablet PC without keyboard, so actually current way - separate tool for drawing strainght line - is great for me. But on PC modifier key - like 'E' for erasing would be cool too.
I just wish devs will not remove old way of making them.

I actually like how in krita 2.7, there is less need for clicking shift key on eg. when adding custom point for wrap tool. It is much tablet PC user friendly

Line constrain seems like a good idea to do straight lines as long as those constrains are not that hard. I don't particularly feel needed for this function because I can always rotate the canvas to find the most comfortable position to draw.

I only wish the <SHIFT> key could be released to choose one of various behaviors. (I for instance almost never resize using SHIFT drag.)

One idea is to let the user decide modifiers functions (keep default config for new installs of course). As someone mentioned before, I also changed all system modifies to the META key as it was conflicting a bit with Inkscape if I recall correctly.

And please let me change the "Palette" from 'F' to 'G' .