Separating a path

[chrisb123]

This vector drawing was generated from inkscape
How would I separate the path in the middle so the cross is sperate from the other paths but does not turn complexly black like in the second image

[anto]

You can use Knife Tool

[chrisb123]

Cool that worked
Now how to I color the inside transparent bits

[GarryP]

--- Answer to original question which already has a solution, but this might be useful to someone else ---

My first suggestion would be to change the Layer Fill Mode (menu “Layer → Fill Mode…”) but that might adversely affect other things in the Curves layer in this case.

My next suggestion would be to try reversing the direction of the smaller curve shapes (Node Tool, “Reverse Curve” button on toolbar).

(Or you could try a combination of both.)

If neither of those things works and you can supply a document with only that Curves layer in it then we can experiment with it and probably come up with something.

--- Answer to second question ---

Since your ‘outline’ is an expanded curve you cannot colour the gaps using the existing shape – in this case the ‘outline’ is the fill.

However, you can add new differently-coloured filled curve shapes below your design – roughly draw the new shapes so that they deliberately ‘go over the line’, but not by too much, then put them below the original design in the Layers Panel.

Attached is an example video showing one method.
In it I am using the Smart Mode of the Pen Tool to draw a curved shape, which sometimes makes it easier with this sort of thing – just click near the ‘extreme’ points of the outline shape to get a decent approximation most of the time.

Edited October 7, 2023 by GarryP
Added video.

[Return]

Perhaps use the vector flood fill tool
https://affinity.help/designer2/English.lproj/pages/ObjectControl/floodingAreas.html

[GarryP]

5 minutes ago, Return said:

Perhaps use the vector flood fill tool

Yup, I keep forgetting about that (it's V2-only, in case anyone is wondering) – thanks for the reminder.

[Return]

15 minutes ago, GarryP said:

it's V2-only, in case anyone is wondering

Yes, forgot to mention that in my reply, so thanks for that mention.

[thomaso]

1 hour ago, GarryP said:

you can add new differently-coloured filled curve shapes below your design – roughly draw the new shapes

I wonder if there is a way in V1 or V2 to select certain nodes only, then copy + paste them as new object of the selected nodes only? (As we may copy selected parts of a text paragraph + paste it as a new text frame). This would make it easier to achieve the required shapes for colourizing.

[GarryP]

I’m pretty sure that I remember seeing requests for that kind of thing but I don’t remember anything being implemented, and can’t find anything obvious in V2 for it.

[dominik]

49 minutes ago, thomaso said:

I wonder if there is a way in V1 or V2 to select certain nodes only, then copy + paste them as new object of the selected nodes only? (As we may copy selected parts of a text paragraph + paste it as a new text frame). This would make it easier to achieve the required shapes for colourizing.

As far as I know this does not work. What works, though, is to select all other that are not selected in your image and then delete them.

But it is far more easier to use the shape builder tool if you are on V2.

d.

[chrisb123]

I selected the shape with all the curves and selected, Layer -> Geometry -> Separate curves, I think
Then I just grouped and re-ordered the curves so the colors overlapped in the correct order
Then just color each curve shape as needed