Path transformations

[Ottia Tuota]

I updated the plugin to 0.17 (how to get it, see post #1). The changes are in the new "Map shaped by a Bezier arc quadrilateral (easy)". The reference box can now be chosen from 5 alternatives:

1. Use bounding box of the source path
   
2. Use bounding box of anchors of the source path
   
3. Use bounding box of selection
   
4. Take reference box from guides
   
5. Take reference box from a path
   

Numbers 1,2,3 should be clear. Number 4 needs four guides, two horizontal and two vertical.

Number 5 needs a path to be input. It is supposed to be a quadrilateral. Only anchors (four) matter. It need not be rectangular. Actually, this is the old Base in disguise. This way I smuggled the Base back in, though this time into the back row.

What I miss here is the Target. I think it has its own role. At the present the Shaper has two functions: it determines the shape, and it determines the destination. I still think these two had better be separated. For example, consider the drawings in Rich's post (#15). In addition to shaping the text, the plugin tilted it by 45 degrees. I guess the reason is where the four anchors of the Shaper were located: bottom, right, top, left. The user probably would like to control such matters. In this particular case I see three alternative remedies:

1. Before applying the plugin, rotate the Shaper by 45 degrees.
   
2. After applying the plugin, rotate the resulting path by 45 degrees.
   
3. Instead of the easy version, use the fuller version and a rectangular Target with sides running horizontal, vertical, horizontal, vertical.
   

But the fuller version is too complicated for the user. I shall see if I can do something about it. But now it is as it is. Any comments are welcome. This all is a new world to me, and it means constant learning...