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i am trying to develop a gauge object in Inkscape like that: enter image description here

I created two arcs and when i try to connect them with bezier, and user path-> union (i apply stroke to path before), i can't fill de inside gauge, only color the edges:

enter image description here

enter image description here

I'm begginner in inkscape. Any ideas?

Thanks a lot!

3 Answers 3

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enter image description here

  1. Make an arc, convert it to Bezier curve with Path > Object to Path

  2. insert the wanted stroke width

  3. Insert the breaking points with the node tool (=double-click) and break the curve at those points. Make the pieces separate by applying Path> Break Apart and insert the wanted stroke colors

  4. Select all, apply Path > Stroke to Path to get filled areas that can have an outline stroke. Here a black stroke is selected

Another way: Divide your closed path (made by applying stroke to path) to separate colorable areas. Draw a radial line over it, select both and apply Path > Division.

You need as many radial lines as there's division points. Start the lines from the center of the arc. To find the centerpoint easily draw at first a circle.

3rd way: Draw the scale as horizontal rectangles, select them and apply Path > Combine to get a combined path which behaves like a single path.

Combined path can have only one color, but it can have text parts which are converted to paths

Copy the combined path to the clipboard. Insert path effect Pattern along Path to your arc. The arc must be converted to Bezier curve with Path > Object to Path before it accepts path effects.

The effect dialog has icon Paste Path to take the pattern from the clipboard:

enter image description here

You must apply Path > Object to Path and Path > Break Apart to get freely colorable areas.

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You could create it all with arcs. There's no need to convert any of them to paths, or convert the stroke to paths.

  1. An arc, on the bottom, with thick black stroke.

  2. Duplicate (Ctrl+D), set arc to blue stroke, adjust stroke width slightly less, adjust arc to fit inside black area.

  3. Duplicate (Ctrl+D), adjust arcs, and repeat for White, Light Grey, and Dark Grey arcs.

  4. Add a pointer, and set the rotation centre to the same as the circle.

The beauty of this method is that since everything still functions as arcs, they are all adjustable.

enter image description here

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  • really practical tip, I used it too and it's really smart and fast, thanks, I would suggest using the "butt cap" as a stroke style to keep the lines of the circle more smooth
    – Les Go
    Dec 21, 2020 at 14:53
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If you applied stroke to path, then your path become an object. here some examples:

enter image description here

this is the path before applied the stroke to path, and:

enter image description here

this is the object after applied the stroke to path.

what do you think it is an outline, it is no more an outline, but a filled object that's the problem.

My solution would be to create one arc, then set the stroke widt to the desired value, than use stroke to path, shft+d to duplicate, than use inset, or dinamic offset to shrink the upper object.

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