Odd Extra Handles for Linear Gradients

[tokai]

In some situations I get this odd extra rectangular handles (or guides?) for linear gradients in the Transparency or Gradient Tools, see screenshot. E.g. this happens when I copy an object with a "Linear" gradient and then Paste Style it onto another object.

 

I didn't found anything about it in the documentation. What are those things exactly useful for (fill shear?) and how could I trigger their view manually while in the respective tools? Also it shows "Linear" as type for the gradient during this, but it actually doesn't seem to be a "Linear" fill anymore (click again on "Linear" in the selection makes the gradient jump back to the original linear handles and reverts the adjustments/ look too.)

 

It's a little bit confusing.   Perhaps a little bit buggy too (shouldn't switch the gradient type/ modus during the copy+paste operation and the UI also properly should reflect the "Fill Shear" gradient type, I guess)

[Gear maker]

Tokai, the second set of handles are for skew of the gradient.  Below are a couple entries that might help explain.

To trigger the second set you can switch to the Move tool then add a skew from the transform panel then switch back to the Fill tool.  I also get this many times I copy a layer with a gradient.  Double clicking on either of the second set of handles will remove the second set.

 

[tokai]

Thanks for the information. Makes a little bit more sense now, but it's still a highly confusing feature, IMHO. Feels like it's a tiny bit unfinished in its implementation. I also don't really see the advantage to control the linear gradient that way (do I actually want to skew the gradient too, when I skew the object? Not sure this always makes sense.)

 

But definitely:

* it shouldn't activate on pasting the style on a non-skewed object/ if the source object wasn't skewed

* there should be a clear way to enter this input mode manually (w/o having to use the paste-bug or having to skew the object)

 

Just… IMHO.