First Impression - Use case as vector designer

[jeswinjosu]

I came across graphite recently and tried exploring. Just tried for like 4-5 hours trying the tools and creating a logo/vector design and followed the process, tools and methods which I usually do.
Here I mention the issues I faced, things which could have been better and the features which I wished would make my works smooth. All these are from my perspective of a first-time user. (Haven't gone through any graphite tutorials, but has experience working in adobe suite)
Correct me if I missed any settings or options which I didn't see in the current version. (+ have no much idea on how node graph works/ have not tried to look into raster or animation aspects)

1. Corner radius for shapes

• Individual corner radius for polygons is not there.
• Individual corner radius input UI for rectangle could be better.
• Adjusting the corner radius of a rectangle when one of its corner points is shifted, then the shape acts wierd.
• Providing corner radius property for selected points together would be better. (If 3 points from a rectangle and 1 point from another shape is taken, then these could be given a single value)
• Keeping a circular corner radius adjustment icon by dragging would be nice to have (like in adobe illustrator) Also makes it reversible from same page rather than going to the node graph.

2. Stroke

• Stroke should have the option to be Outside/Inside/Centre
• Would be good to set dash lengths and dash gap separately
• Dashed strokes appears to be skewed/varying thickness.
• Giving an option to outline the stroke to convert into shape is a well needed option.
• Giving gradient fills in strokes is another good feature to have but instead having covert to shape would do good.

3. Transform

• Adjusting width or height of a shape from properties panel should transform the W/H relative to the anchor/reference point. I see there is an option to align anchor point (to top, left , top-right ..etc) but it has no point if this doesn't work. (currently it only works as an anchor for rotation)
• Better to have scale in units like px, mm, inch etc, Instead of 1.5x, 2x multiples
• Also need to have an option to link W and H, so that it scales uniformly/without changing aspect ratio.
• If a Boolean-operation/Grouping is done, there should be an option to transform the Boolean-operation/Group as a whole.

4. Adding/Removing Points on Path

• doesn't seem to be a problem but instead of using deep-selection tool to add points, using pen-tool to add points would be better. May be hovering on path shows add point symbol. But having it as an alternative tool too is another option. The reason for not using deep selection tool for adding points on path is because, may be deep selection tool can be used to select individual paths instead.

5. Color editing / color palette

• While creating a shape the fill color should be the primary color. Instead, now it works the opposite (stroke is primary).
• Good to have an option to save a color to color-palette so that it can be reused.
• If a group of elements are selected displaying all the colors in that selection in the properties panel would be good. This helps in changing all same colors in a group together. A very useful feature.

6. Guidelines

• Having guidelines is as important as grids. Guidelines could be placed anywhere in the workspace, rotated to any angle, could be locked/unlocked guides as a whole.

7. Text tool

• Editable text paths is a cool feature and new feature which i have never seen.
• Giving an option to permanently make it outline stroke could be also an option may be.
• Type on path/ type inside a shape is also a good feature to have.

8. Alignment

• Align to artboard/ selection should be given as an option. Currently it only has align to selection.
• Choosing which selection to align to is also a needed thing. This should be selected by clicking on one of the already selected objects.

[Keavon]

Thank you for taking the time to gather your thoughts in detail and post them here! I'm planning next week to comb through the accumulated posts that have been added here recently and draw common themes for what areas can best be prioritized as low-hanging fruit.