After a couple of smaller updates it’s finally time for the first more substantial feature update of Paragraphic. Here’s a short video with an overview of some of the highlights in the new update. Below you can then read more details about each area.
Parametric path modification
Four new change nodes have been added to allow you to modify vector paths. The Modify path node works sort of like the regular Transform node, but allows you to offset, scale or rotate a set of selected control points in a path instead of whole elements in a group. This combines well with the Subdivide path node that lets you insert additional control points on paths so you can start with a basic shape and add more control points to play with.
There’s also a Randomize path node, which is similar to the Modify path node, but as the name implies it allows you to easily randomize path changes by setting a random range for the transform on each point. This makes it easy to for example apply random distortions to shapes in a repeated pattern. Finally there’s the Smooth path that allows you to smooth path splines for selected points, which can be useful to make a shape smooth again after distorting its control points, or if you just want to modify smoothing on a path.
All these nodes can of course then be combined will all the existing repeaters and nodes to make interesting patterns and effects. And they pair especially well with the new relative generation index features explained more in details below to allow making gradual changes to paths.
Relative generation indexes
Using generation index values, like for example the index of an element in a repetition group, has now become much easier since the indexes now come with a relative index mode. This means that instead of for example being a value for 0 to 19 in a group of twenty elements you can access the index as a relative value between 0 and 1 in Index Value input nodes. You can also use the new Index Function input node to directly translate this using a function for an output value range, making it easier to make nice gradual pattern generations and tweak their appearance.
Clipping paths
Another big new feature is the support for clipping paths/mask. Using the new Clipping mask node you can now clip elements* using a path that you simply define in another layer, just like with the path repeater.
*Except for text box elements (yet).
New auto-layout features
The first important addition in this area is the Layer info input node. This allows you to set for example a size or position of something based on the size or position of another layer. In other words this can be used to set up both size relationships and a sort of simple position layout constraints.
In addition to the Layer Info input node the existing Align node has also been given a new mode where you can set a layer to align itself to an edge or center of another connected layer, giving you another option for setting up position layout constraints.
Document parameter inputs
Last, and perhaps also least, among the bigger new features is the addition that Document parameters now allow input connections and (non-layer based) input nodes. Previously these document parameters in their top left panel were output only, to be used as a sort of control panel for the design. But now you can set up relationships between them using expressions or other input nodes, for example if you want to set up a secondary value or color you want to reuse in you design, or some compound calculated value you don’t want to write the expression for each time you want to use it.
Finally, below you can find the full list of all changes in the new version
Changes and improvements
– Parametric path modification. You can now modify paths on a control-point level using the new change path nodes (Modify path, Randomize path, Smooth path and Subdivide path).
– Clipping paths. Elements can now have a clip path applied to them, using the new Clipping mask node that takes in a path from another layer to use for clipping groups or individual elements.
– Relative generation indexes. Group and repeater indexes can now be accessed as a relative 0-1 range value (index/max) in the Value Index input node and via the new Value Index Function node, making indexes much more convenient to use for varying parameters.
– New auto-layout features. The new Layer info input node, and the new Align to other layer option in the Align node allow you to position and size things based on other layers to create automatic layout rules.
– Document parameter inputs. You can now add connection and use input nodes to set up automatic relationships between document parameters.
– Added Point on path input node, allowing you to get positions along a connected vector path shape layer.
– Added new Value Function input node, complementing the Value Expression input node as a way to set up complex relationships between parameters.
– Added new setting (default off) to allow selecting stroke-only shapes by clicking inside them, just like filled shapes.
– Made it easier to select small shapes and thin lines when zoomed out.
– Changed initial smooth control point spline handles to be different lengths when setting a sharp corner point to use angle-mirror smooth spline handles.
– Split input value node for value ranges now labels the two parameters min and max instead of the generic X and Y.
– You can now use PI and π constants in expressions, not just lowercase pi.
– Exported rectangle paths are now represented as rect tags instead of path tags in SVG.
– Improved precision when adding new points on existing curve paths with freeform path tool.
– The Add node menu now has subcategories for Change Path and Change Stroke/Fill nodes to make the list a bit more manageable.
– Improved parameter translations when changing a node to another type, to carry over more overlapping settings.
– Improved contrast slightly of some UI elements like sockets and unit labels.
– Adjusted default settings for a lot nodes.
Bug fixes
– Fixed value field hover controls sometimes not closing automatically when moving cursor away.
– Fixed not being able to use pi constant in index value expressions.
– Fixed some negative relative color hue adjustments being applied as positive adjustments.
– Don’t allow making layer connections between groups and group member layers that would cause infinite loops.
– Fixed some index value calculations not working in duplicated layers with generation index calculations.
– Don’t allow value range +/- mirroring toggles for ranges that have restricted min/max values.
– Fixed warning / information overlay messages blocking mouse input while shown.
– Fixed incorrect values when updating inputs for expressions set to constant values without variables.
– Fixed some floating-point precision issues converting paths to/from control points.
– Fixed crash on importing some invalid SVG paths.
– Fixed sub-socked connection ends not being placed/moved correctly when scrolling in panels.
– Fixed some node preview rendering issues.
– Multi-threading stability improvements.
You can check for updates and download the latest version from within Paragraphic if you have it installed, or you download it from paragraphic.design