Inkscape : simultaneously adjust multiple Bezier handles on rectangles?

Question

I need to create an C-shaped outline. Essentially, I hope that more than one Bezier handle can move simultaneously. I do not mean the two handles associated with one node, but the Bezier handles from many different nodes.

My first approach is using Inkscape to :

1. create a rectangle [left row icon]
2. Path->Object-to-Path [top row menu]
3. edit nodes [left column icon between pointer and rectangle]
4. show Bezier handles of selected nodes [top row, right side icon]

I can shift-click any nodes to form a group. There are six nodes, but I'll leave that for now. The group of nodes can move around as expected, e.g. one side of the rectangle while others are fixed. I can click the nodes to get different Bezier handles. At this point, I would like to change the rectangle as if bending it into a C-shape with my hands, so that all the dimensions change simultaneously. It seems possible if the Bezier handles of four nodes could be adjusted so the lines between the selected nodes all moved in concert. I am reading the dialogue on the bottom row for ideas, the closest being Shift-Y to keep symmetric - but that only works for one node.

Perhaps a C-shape formed from a rectangle, or Inkscape, is not the approach, or the Bezier handle idea is wrong.

programs:

Inkscape 1.1.2

Ubuntu 22.04.1

Answer 1

You can't simultaneously adjust multiple Bézier handles in Inkscape. It's just not possible. I mean you could do it using guides/a grid/snapping etc, but that's not simultaneous or automatic.

However you could perhaps use a Mirror Symmetry Live Path Effect in Inkscape under some circumstances.

Here's an example

If you need to, you can bake in Path Effects using Path > Obeject to Path, this will give you two shapes, which you can unite using a Boolean Union operation.

Note: In the development version of Inkscape 1.3, there is also a new Shape Builder tool which can be used to make/combine complex shapes. It's very similar to the Shape Builder tool in Adobe Illustrator. You can try it out, but note that it's a development version which is not particularly stable. Hopefully they'll perfect it soon for the next stable release of Inkscape.

Here's where the Shape Builder tool is located. To use it select a bunch of shapes, and hit the tool. Click and drag across shapes you want to unite, and Shift+Click to remove pieces.

Here's a quick example, using your C shape example from your other question with this new New Shape builder tool in Inkscape 1.3. It's a little buggy still, but it works. You could of course do this with boolean operations in Inkscape 1.2, but it's not as much fun.