Move by Points Tool behavior

[jason schneider]

So this is probably a minor issue, but one that has an impact. The Move by Points tool behaves differently when editing via command bar or smart tool. 

 

After selecting an object to move, the user can edit the options for moving (multiple, duplicate, distribute, etc.) from the Command Bar and the tool automatically updates to the new option. 

 

When editing with the Smart Tool, the object must be reselected in order to initiate the new options. 

 

What gives? Shouldn't they be the same?

 

thanks!

[Pat Stanford]

I just tried that in VW2025 Update 3 and am not seeing that. 

 

I used the Smart Options Display to choose the Move By Point tool, then changed the number of duplicates and I got the expected number.

 

Can you provide an exact example of what is not working so we can try to replicate it?

[markdd]

Yes, of course! Will you report it as a bug?

[markdd]

4 minutes ago, Pat Stanford said:

Can you provide an exact example of what is not working so we can try to replicate it?

It's for when you want to change the tool mode mid-operation. If you change the mode from the mode bar, then all is well. If you change the mode from the Smart Options display, then the reference point is lost, and you have to redefine it to carry on the tool operation.

Edited January 28 by markdd

[jason schneider]

On 1/28/2025 at 11:59 AM, markdd said:

It's for when you want to change the tool mode mid-operation. If you change the mode from the mode bar, then all is well. If you change the mode from the Smart Options display, then the reference point is lost, and you have to redefine it to carry on the tool operation.

^^^Exactly!!! Thanks for the clarification. @Pat Stanford, is this a bug? What's the procedure for reporting? Thank you!

Edited January 30 by jason schneider
Additional info.

[Pat Stanford]

Write up the details of what you have to do to recreate the problem as accurately as possible (I didn't understand from your first post) and post it here. I will either move the thread to the Known Issues forum or file a bug report for you.

 

Or you can file the bug yourself directly at. http://www.vectorworks.net/support/bugsubmit

 

The only place I am having trouble with the tool options from the Smart Options Display is if I change the number of duplicates. The other mode options seem to work fine when I click them.  Or are you trying to use the keyboard UIOP shortcuts to change them and they are not changing.  More reason I need to you write up the problem so it can be as complete as possible.

[Tom W.]

8 hours ago, Pat Stanford said:

The only place I am having trouble with the tool options from the Smart Options Display is if I change the number of duplicates. The other mode options seem to work fine when I click them.

 

Select an object, select the tool, select the second mode (Move + Duplicate), click on the object + start to move it, then activate SOD + change to third mode (Distribute): do you not lose the reference point like @markdd says? The same if you go in the other direction. This doesn't happen if you do the same thing from the Tool Bar.

[jason schneider]

@Tom W. did a pretty good job of the step-by-step. Here's a screen recording of the issue. 

[Pat Stanford]

10 hours ago, Tom W. said:

Select an object, select the tool, select the second mode (Move + Duplicate), click on the object + start to move it, then activate SOD + change to third mode (Distribute): do you not lose the reference point like @markdd says? The same if you go in the other direction. This doesn't happen if you do the same thing from the Tool Bar.

No, I don't. I see exactly the same effect switching back and forth between the 2nd and 3rd modes using the Mode bar or the SOD.

 

But it is very possible I am doing something different than all of you because I very rarely do that.

[Pat Stanford]

@Tom W. Since you are seeing more problems than me, do you want to put this in Jira please?