Boundary of a path as a new path?

Asked Jan 02 '18 at 19:00

Active Jan 02 '18 at 19:00

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Is it possible to use the boundary of a shape defined as some path as a new path? In the following example

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{tikz}

\begin{document}

\begin{tikzpicture}[scale=3]
  \draw [color=gray, line width=17pt] (2,0) -- (3,1); 
      \draw [color=gray, line width=7pt] (3,0) -- (2,1);
\end{tikzpicture}

\end{document}

I would like to obtain the boundary of the resulting cross as a new path, which one can draw or fill.

The MWE is in TikZ, but I am interested, if it possible in any tool (TikZ, PostScript, psTricks, MetaPost, etc.). Especially PostScript gives me some hope, because we can use there outline of font characters. However I have no idea, how it may be possible in the case of an ordinary path.

I know that in the above simple example I can simulate a filled region with a boundary by using two copies of a bit different dimensions and filling them, say black and grey. However, as far as I understand, it is possible, because we know the centre of the shape.

asked Jan 02 '18 at 19:00

Przemysław Scherwentke

37,268

Do you want another shape which is the union of those two? – Sigur Jan 02 '18 at 19:03
@Sigur Yes, if possible. – Przemysław Scherwentke Jan 02 '18 at 19:04
Maybe this could help: https://tex.stackexchange.com/q/11512/14757 – Sigur Jan 02 '18 at 19:09
@Sigur Thank you for a valuable link, but it is only partially useful. My new path should depend on the tightness of lines creating the initial path. – Przemysław Scherwentke Jan 02 '18 at 19:15
1

I think these are the Metapost and asymptote duplicates : Q192668 and Q141188 – percusse Jan 03 '18 at 00:36

Boundary of a path as a new path?

0 Answers0