Construction tools

The construction tools are one of the features I'm most excited about. They're a set of tools that make it easier to build geometric shapes with precision (although, obviously, they're useful for much more than that).

There are currently four construction tools: Tangent line, tangent circle, perpendicular line, and curvature circle.

Let's see how each of them work.

Tangent line

As the name implies, this tool draws tangents from any shape, but it can also be used to connect two shapes. For example, if you select the Tangent line tool and drag from one circle to another, you'll be able to connect them with two tangent lines. Quick geometry lesson: two non-overlapping circles have two external and two internal tangents.

While dragging a tangent, holding ⌥ extends it in both directions. Holding ⌘ makes the line ignore other shapes, or detaches it from the end shape if it's already connected.

Tangent circle

If you enjoyed drawing tangent lines, I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with tangent circles. Same idea here: you can draw a circle tangent to a line or any other shape, or fit one between two shapes.

As you get closer to another shape, an indicator guides you to the connecting point. And just like with lines, holding ⌘ lets you ignore other shapes or detach the circle from a shape it's already connected to.

Perpendicular line

The name is self-explanatory: this tool lets you draw perpendicular lines from any shape. Holding ⌥ draws the line in both directions.

Curvature circle

Finally, this tool finds the circle that exactly matches the bend of a curve at any given point. Select the tool and hover over any curve to see a preview of the circle, then click to draw it.

And that's it. I plan to keep adding more tools. Write to feedback@superlinea.app to let me know how you like them and which one I should add next.