Curve plugin or script

Erisian · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 5:47 pm **(#1)**

GIMP Version: 2.6.11
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: XP - SP3
GIMP Experience: Intermediate Level

Are there any plugins or scripts available that will draw a perfect curve between three or more points of your choice?

saulgoode · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:11 pm **(#2)**

What mean you by "perfect"?

PhotoComix · **Joined:** Apr 12, 2010 **Posts:** 5870

maybe a segment of a circle ?...or a whole circle
Only 1 circle may touch the same 3 points

Erisian · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:24 pm **(#4)**

The arc doesn't need to be circular, for example, the three points may produce a comma when joined up. I want to use it to the same effect as French Curves. Ultimately, I'm trying to produce Celtic knotwork.

molly · **Joined:** Apr 07, 2010 **Posts:** 14182

Celtic Knotwork

tstandiford · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:40 pm **(#6)**

try the paths tool. It's pretty good for making curves.

Erisian · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:52 pm **(#7)**

Thank you Molly, that's a great find!

tstandiford - The problem with the paths tool is where two sections of a path meet, getting them to look like part of a smooth curve is extremely difficult. You need to line them up perfectly.

PhotoComix · **Joined:** Apr 12, 2010 **Posts:** 5870

yes

and btw if only 1 circle touch 3 points a infinite number of more generic " curves" does the same, and would be hard for a script define which is "perfect"

EDIT

Somewhere there is a "smooth path" script, i believe was from Ofnuts and maybe was also presented in the script board

Erisian · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 7:17 pm **(#9)**

Thanks PC. Sounds like that's what I'm looking for. Your query on fractal forums has been answered.

PhotoComix · **Joined:** Apr 12, 2010 **Posts:** 5870

thank i am going to check now

ofnuts · **Joined:** Oct 25, 2010 **Posts:** 4812

Erisian wrote:

Thank you Molly, that's a great find!

tstandiford - The problem with the paths tool is where two sections of a path meet, getting them to look like part of a smooth curve is extremely difficult. You need to line them up perfectly.

Depress the Shift key when dragging one tangent handles. This enforces the symmetry of the other one, making the curve "flat".

Erisian · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 8:24 pm **(#12)**

Thanks ofnuts, I'll try that. I've also downloaded the smooth paths plugin from the Gimp Plugin Registry so I'll try that as well.

Rod · **Joined:** May 16, 2010 **Posts:** 16174

Windows 32 bit -
I re-compiled the smooth path plugin to work in Gimp-2.6.12, and Gimp-2.7.6 also.
Unzip the folder and place the exe file in your plug-ins folder.
Restart Gimp.
Right click any path layer, and select smooth path.

Example-
Putting 60.00 and 60.00 in both fields for a 300x300 rectangle pixel path will create this-

Attachment:

Smooth-Path.zip [26.9 KiB]
Downloaded 109 times

lylejk · **Joined:** Sep 24, 2010 **Posts:** 12846

Yes; smooth path works. Very precise too.

gerard82 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 01, 2012 12:27 pm **(#15)**

Works fine in 2.7.5.
Gerard.

ofnuts · **Joined:** Oct 25, 2010 **Posts:** 4812

Btw, back to the original problem, using the Path tool:

- click on first point
- click on *last* point, to make a straight segment
- click in the middle of segment, and drag to third point

Erisian · **Posted:** Sun Apr 01, 2012 6:40 pm **(#17)**

Smooth path was exactly what I needed - Thanks all.