| +++ | |
| title = "Graphite progress report (Q1 2024)" | |
| date = 2024-05-09 | |
| [extra] | |
| banner = "https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024__2.avif" | |
| banner_png = "https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024__2.png" | |
| author = "Keavon Chambers & Hypercube" | |
| summary = "Graphite's Q1 2024 update introduces a precise snapping system and a customizable grid for enhanced design control. The update also includes improved procedural scattering with the 'Copy to Points' node, demonstrated in new demo artwork." | |
| reddit = "https://www.reddit.com/r/graphite/comments/1coa0if/blog_post_graphite_progress_report_q1_2024/" | |
| twitter = "https://twitter.com/GraphiteEditor/status/1788698448348266946" | |
| css = ["/component/demo-artwork.css"] | |
| +++ | |
| [Graphite](/) is a new 2D vector graphics editor bringing a modern, nondestructive approach to creative workflows with node-based procedural generation. The project is currently three years into development, with a focus on streamlining the creative process for procedural vector artwork. See the [roadmap](/features#roadmap) for a more in-depth summary of the goals for 2024 and beyond. | |
| <!-- more --> | |
| Starting in 2024, we are now publishing quarterly reports to summarize the new features and improvements made to Graphite. If you missed the [2023 year in review](../looking-back-on-2023-and-what-s-next), be sure to check it out after this. We anticipate sending our first email newsletter (with more to follow roughly quarterly) in the near future as well, so be sure to [subscribe](/#newsletter) if you haven't already. | |
| Over the first three months of the year, we are delighted to have seen many contributions both from new and recurrent contributors, including substantial interest by students through [Google Summer of Code](/blog/graphite-internships-announcing-participation-in-gsoc-2024/). We would like to send a big thanks to all of the contributors who made this progress happen. If you are interested in getting involved or just following development, see the [contributor guide](/volunteer/guide) and join [our Discord](https://discord.graphite.rs). | |
| All Q1 2024 commits may be [viewed in this list](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/commits/master/?since=2024-01-01&until=2024-03-31) and all noteworthy changes are detailed below. As two of the major new features are the grid and snapping systems, the *Isometric Fountain* artwork shown on this blog post demonstrates what those features can achieve. | |
| <div class="demo-artwork"> | |
| <a href="https://editor.graphite.rs/#demo/isometric-fountain"> | |
| <img src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024__2.png" onerror="this.onerror = null; this.src = this.src.replace('.avif', '.png')" alt="Vector art of Isometric Fountain" /> | |
| </a> | |
| <p> | |
| <span> | |
| <em>Isometric Fountain</em> | |
| </span> | |
| <br /> | |
| <span> | |
| <a href="https://editor.graphite.rs/#demo/isometric-fountain">Open this artwork</a> to<br />explore it yourself. | |
| </span> | |
| </p> | |
| </div> | |
| <!-- | |
| EDITOR'S NOTE: The grammatical structure of each bullet point should follow the form: "Check out our new... [Bullet point description]" | |
| --> | |
| ## Additions | |
| - *Copy to Points* node improvements, including randomization of scale and rotation with biasing <small>([#1540](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1540), [#1541](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1541), [commit ed82c5](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/commit/ed82c5f20fccd66a959334dee33351657968cdb6), [#1592](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1592), [commit 7e5069](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/commit/7e5069f638cfcc3e7af21f32eded67a005490402))</small> | |
| <div class="video-background"> | |
| <video autoplay loop muted playsinline disablepictureinpicture disableremoteplayback> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/copy-to-points-node-improvements.webm" type="video/webm" /> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/copy-to-points-node-improvements.mp4" type="video/mp4" /> | |
| </video> | |
| </div> | |
| - Improvements to the node graph UI <small>([#1564](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1564), [#1568](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1568))</small> | |
| - Grid overlay for the canvas with customizable rectangular and isometric grid lines <small>([#1521](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1521), [commit 5c9d3c](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/commit/5c9d3c5d755e67411c110c0d5fd38d991cb6696c))</small> | |
| <div class="video-background"> | |
| <video autoplay loop muted playsinline disablepictureinpicture disableremoteplayback> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/grid-popover.webm" type="video/webm" /> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/grid-popover.mp4" type="video/mp4" /> | |
| </video> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="video-background"> | |
| <video autoplay loop muted playsinline disablepictureinpicture disableremoteplayback> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/grid-demo-art.webm" type="video/webm" /> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/grid-demo-art.mp4" type="video/mp4" /> | |
| </video> | |
| </div> | |
| - New and improved snapping system for aligning shapes with one another and the grid <small>([#1521](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1521), [#1567](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1567), [#1547](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1547), [#1570](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1570), [#1574](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1574))</small> | |
| <div class="video-background"> | |
| <video autoplay loop muted playsinline disablepictureinpicture disableremoteplayback> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/snapping.webm" type="video/webm" /> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/snapping.mp4" type="video/mp4" /> | |
| </video> | |
| </div> | |
| - *Morph* node for tweening vector shapes <small>([#1576](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1576))</small> | |
| <div class="video-background"> | |
| <video autoplay loop muted playsinline disablepictureinpicture disableremoteplayback> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/morph-node.webm" type="video/webm" /> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/morph-node.mp4" type="video/mp4" /> | |
| </video> | |
| </div> | |
| - Visualize which nodes are the source of a graph type error <small>([#1577](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1577))</small> | |
| <img src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/graph-error-visualization.avif" onerror="this.onerror = null; this.src = this.src.replace('.avif', '.png')" alt="Graph error visualization screenshot" /> | |
| - Improvements to document tilting and resetting tilt <small>([commit 8eef96](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/commit/8eef96511e575d58a36289f3d0e30eb68098b4e7))</small> | |
| - SVG import <small>([#1579](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1579), [#1656](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1656))</small> | |
| <div class="video-background"> | |
| <video autoplay loop muted playsinline disablepictureinpicture disableremoteplayback> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/svg-import.webm" type="video/webm" /> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/svg-import.mp4" type="video/mp4" /> | |
| </video> | |
| </div> | |
| - Re-add Select tool functionality that was lost from a code change last year <small>([#1583](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1583))</small> | |
| - *Poisson-Disk Points* node for sampling randomly distributed points in a shape, with Red Dress demo artwork <small>([#1586](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1586), [commit 12e16b](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/commit/12e16b9a4efe40fcf779c34f83d3df8b3e3542f3), [#1590](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1590), [#1596](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1596))</small> | |
| <div class="video-background"> | |
| <video autoplay loop muted playsinline disablepictureinpicture disableremoteplayback> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/poisson-disk-points-node-demo-art.webm" type="video/webm" /> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/poisson-disk-points-node-demo-art.mp4" type="video/mp4" /> | |
| </video> | |
| </div> | |
| - Pen tool point-by-point undo while drawing without wiping out the full in-progress shape <small>([#1587](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1587), [#1597](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1597))</small> | |
| <div class="video-background"> | |
| <video autoplay loop muted playsinline disablepictureinpicture disableremoteplayback> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/pen-tool-point-by-point-undo.webm" type="video/webm" /> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/pen-tool-point-by-point-undo.mp4" type="video/mp4" /> | |
| </video> | |
| </div> | |
| - Freehand tool support for extending the endpoints of open paths <small>([#1594](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1594), [#1623](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1623))</small> | |
| <div class="video-background"> | |
| <video autoplay loop muted playsinline disablepictureinpicture disableremoteplayback> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/freehand-tool-endpoint-extension.webm" type="video/webm" /> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/freehand-tool-endpoint-extension.mp4" type="video/mp4" /> | |
| </video> | |
| </div> | |
| - Path tool support for breaking a closed shape into an open path by deleting (not dissolving) a point <small>([#1593](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1593))</small> | |
| <div class="video-background"> | |
| <video autoplay loop muted playsinline disablepictureinpicture disableremoteplayback> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/point-deletion-breaking-closed-shapes.webm" type="video/webm" /> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/point-deletion-breaking-closed-shapes.mp4" type="video/mp4" /> | |
| </video> | |
| </div> | |
| - Path tool insertion of a point on a path segment by sliding to the desired spot <small>([#1581](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1581))</small> | |
| <div class="video-background"> | |
| <video autoplay loop muted playsinline disablepictureinpicture disableremoteplayback> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/sliding-point-insertion.webm" type="video/webm" /> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/sliding-point-insertion.mp4" type="video/mp4" /> | |
| </video> | |
| </div> | |
| - Box-based drag selection in the node graph <small>([#1616](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1616))</small> | |
| <div class="video-background"> | |
| <video autoplay loop muted playsinline disablepictureinpicture disableremoteplayback> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/box-selection-in-node-graph.webm" type="video/webm" /> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/box-selection-in-node-graph.mp4" type="video/mp4" /> | |
| </video> | |
| </div> | |
| - Auto-save the document every 30 seconds <small>([#1580](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1580))</small> | |
| - Auto-panning when drawing with each interactive tool when the user's pointer extends past the edge of the viewport <small>([#1625](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1625), [#1652](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1652), [#1682](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1682), [#1690](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1690))</small> | |
| <div class="video-background"> | |
| <video autoplay loop muted playsinline disablepictureinpicture disableremoteplayback> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/auto-panning-in-viewport.webm" type="video/webm" /> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/auto-panning-in-viewport.mp4" type="video/mp4" /> | |
| </video> | |
| </div> | |
| - Launch of the Alpha 3 release series in February <small>([commit f02dd5](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/commit/f02dd5c0f625b25bf3510ba0e9839ca182d930e4))</small> | |
| <img src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/alpha-3-about-graphite.avif" onerror="this.onerror = null; this.src = this.src.replace('.avif', '.png')" alt="Alpha 3 release series in the 'About Graphite' menu screenshot" /> | |
| - Search functionality by typing in menu lists <small>([#1499](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1499))</small> | |
| <div class="video-background"> | |
| <video autoplay loop muted playsinline disablepictureinpicture disableremoteplayback> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/search-in-menu-lists.webm" type="video/webm" /> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/search-in-menu-lists.mp4" type="video/mp4" /> | |
| </video> | |
| </div> | |
| - Improvements to the dynamic input hints of several tools <small>([commit 9f8466](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/commit/9f84661facd545bfdfeaa5d37038abeacc00ee08), [#1667](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1667), [#1670](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1670))</small> | |
| - *Solidify Stroke* node for converting a stroke into a filled shape <small>([#1650](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1650))</small> | |
| - Path tool point selection checkbox for locking an anchor point's handles as colinear <small>([commit 5bca93](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/commit/5bca931813e456e2f6035844c21e77ee590b7728))</small> | |
| <div class="video-background"> | |
| <video autoplay loop muted playsinline disablepictureinpicture disableremoteplayback> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/colinear-handles-checkbox.webm" type="video/webm" /> | |
| <source src="https://static.graphite.rs/content/blog/2024-05-09-graphite-progress-report-q1-2024/colinear-handles-checkbox.mp4" type="video/mp4" /> | |
| </video> | |
| </div> | |
| ## Fixes | |
| - *Sample Points* node performance issues and bug with open paths <small>([#1542](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1542), [commit b3e4ca](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/commit/b3e4caec1aa4d7b702ac36638b968cf165780149), [commit 93aa10](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/commit/93aa10a76f96946314d5c5787418522423a76544), [#1546](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1546))</small> | |
| - Some numerical node data incompatible with others <small>([#1543](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1543), [commit c14c6f](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/commit/c14c6fbe9345be91d04825fe8364e6639430b5e5), [#1618](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1618))</small> | |
| - Incorrect placement when pasting an image <small>([commit cd61da](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/commit/cd61daf869780e1302de1a34bca7b79485ca69c3))</small> | |
| - Unable to select upside-down (negative scale) layers <small>([#1560](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1560))</small> | |
| - Memory leak in a type inference hashmap <small>([#1566](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1566))</small> | |
| - Non-filled shapes are drawn missing the solid color field from their *Fill* node <small>([#1572](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1572))</small> | |
| - *Circular Repeat* node crash when it has no input connection <small>([#1571](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1571))</small> | |
| - Safari rendering bug that occurs with Graphite's floating menus <small>([commit b4dccb](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/commit/b4dccb865540e25a6d859e5284a50a36e361d5ee))</small> | |
| - Performance issue affecting Windows users where every render occurred thrice <small>([commit a7bf6e](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/commit/a7bf6e24599fc3d7dc51699f916ba049758a2081))</small> | |
| - Performance issue with nonfunctional caching of images <small>([#1595](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1595))</small> | |
| - Numerous history steps created while dragging an input widget every frame <small>([#1584](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1584), [#1598](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1598))</small> | |
| - Ugly anti-aliasing in overlays from non-alignment with the pixel grid <small>([#1603](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1603))</small> | |
| - Dragging nodes in the graph along only one axis causes them to snap back <small>([#1619](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1619))</small> | |
| - Path tool point coordinates using the wrong coordinate system <small>([#1626](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1626))</small> | |
| - Layer panel grouping causing unintended reordering and loss of names <small>([#1627](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1627), [#1645](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1645), [#1672](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1672), [#1678](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1678), [#1637](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1637))</small> | |
| - Keyboard shortcut modifier keys displayed in the UI with the wrong order <small>([commit 4405e0](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/commit/4405e01f5595c76ff8c1cdb7e6ebf752ab53943c))</small> | |
| - Polygon tool stars and convex polygons drawn with an undesired tilt <small>([#1640](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1640))</small> | |
| - Dropdown menus not navigable with with keyboard arrow keys <small>([#1630](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1630), [#1649](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1649))</small> | |
| - Changes to a tool's options only applying after a subsequent usage <small>([#1646](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1646))</small> | |
| - Orphaned child layers left behind when a group is ungrouped or deleted <small>([#1655](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1655))</small> | |
| - Some tools lacking a cancelable interaction by right clicking or hitting the Escape key <small>([#1658](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1658), [#1664](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1664), [#1666](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1666))</small> | |
| - Several related issues related to extraneous undo/redo history steps <small>([#1660](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1660), [#1668](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1668), [#1675](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1675))</small> | |
| - Node graph not updated when switching tabs to a different document <small>([#1691](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1691))</small> | |
| - Artboard deletion causes its child artwork to also get deleted <small>([#1651](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1651))</small> | |
| - Path tool's point dragging gets offset when the viewport is panned <small>([#1693](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1693))</small> | |
| - Incorrect scale-nudging behavior when multiple layers are selected <small>([#1699](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1699))</small> | |
| - Copy-pasted layers not preserving their hidden/visible state <small>([#1698](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1698))</small> | |
| - Non-editability of hidden layers that are selected <small>([#1697](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1697))</small> | |
| ## Internal | |
| - Several large refactors and code cleanups <small>([#1565](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1565), [#1582](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1582), [#1620](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1620), [#1695](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1695), [#1708](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1708))</small> | |
| - Refactor for the vector format to begin being based around a concept of attributes <small>([#1624](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1624))</small> | |
| - Preconfigure dev containers for easy containerized development environment setup <small>([commit 99c199](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/commit/99c199a8f64a3557e21f5dc002fbcfb789c40632), [#1636](https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite/pull/1636))</small> | |