pen and marker similar to xpaint

[OrionRandD]

xpaint is a very simple program, but its pen and marker are one of the best out there with so many options. When choosing, e.g., a marker with a small black (or other color) box, it makes free handwritten text a wonderful experience even using a simple mouse... I wish that openboard could have a marker and a pen similar to xpaint... Perhaps the xpaint main dev can help openboard on this matter... https://sourceforge.net/projects/sf-xpaint/

On Linux/Debian and apt package managers you can install them like this: sudo apt install openboard xpaint

[letsfindaway]

I took a look at xpaint. First of all I want to ask: Can you better describe the behavior of xpaint you want to have in OpenBoard? What exactly is the difference you want to have?

I also took a short look on the code and must say that it will be difficult to use anything from there, as both programs have a completely different approach:

• xpaint works on raster images, while OpenBoard strokes are vectors and outlines.
• This allows to manipulate a stroke later in OpenBoard: You can select move, delete, resize etc a stroke after you have it created. This is not possible in xpaint.
• OpenBoard is pressure sensitive when using a graphic tablet. xpaint does not differentiate between mouse and pen.
• Under the hood, xpaint operates with the X graphics library, while OpenBoard is built with Qt.

So the code of both is quite different. That's the reason for my initial question: what exactly is the bahavior you want to see? Perhaps some ideas are reusable.

[OrionRandD]

I took a look at xpaint. First of all I want to ask: Can you better describe the behavior of xpaint you want to have in OpenBoard? What exactly is the difference you want to have?

I also took a short look on the code and must say that it will be difficult to use anything from there, as both programs have a completely different approach:

* xpaint works on raster images, while OpenBoard strokes are vectors and outlines.

* This allows to manipulate a stroke later in OpenBoard: You can select move, delete, resize etc a stroke after you have it created. This is not possible in xpaint.

* OpenBoard is pressure sensitive when using a graphic tablet. xpaint does not differentiate between mouse and pen.

* Under the hood, xpaint operates with the X graphics library, while OpenBoard is built with Qt.

So the code of both is quite different. That's the reason for my initial question: what exactly is the bahavior you want to see? Perhaps some ideas are reusable.

When you are ready, I can send you a video showing what I am thinking... xpaint has a tip square pen that is possible to write with mouse point nearly with "perfection", but OpenBoard does not have this kind of pen... So, if this freehand pen-like was implemented in OpenBoard, teachers who still do not have, say, a Wacom tablet could still use the mouse point to write in a more uncluttered way... I can send the video now, but you will have only 24h to grab it... After that, will have to resend the video again The small demo is here: https://wormhole.app/7pd3p#UCWEEnBn06BEkH9sTSk3RQ

[letsfindaway]

I can send the video now, but you will have only 24h to grab it...

I downloaded and recompressed your video. Now it is smaller than 10 MBytes and can be attached to the comment:

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/bfe0516a-ed10-4e08-a1f4-f15b417d8fe3

[letsfindaway]

xpaint has a tip square pen that is possible to write with mouse point nearly with "perfection", but OpenBoard does not have this kind of pen...

Is it actually the square tip which you want to have? From the video I cannot see why it should be better for writing than a round tip. The letters in the video look quite pixelated and I think here OpenBoard creates much smoother lines. So what exactly is the advantage you see?

[OrionRandD]

xpaint has a tip square pen that is possible to write with mouse point nearly with "perfection", but OpenBoard does not have this kind of pen...

Is it actually the square tip which you want to have? From the video I cannot see why it should be better for writing than a round tip. The letters in the video look quite pixelated and I think here OpenBoard creates much smoother lines. So what exactly is the advantage you see?

The advantage, is a better experience using the mouse itself. I know that in openBoard the round tip is smoother, but for writing using the mouse, I do not feel we get a better experience... Although, as you said, the lines are smoother. While in xpaint the lines "look quite pexelated". Yes. My experience in xpaint with this square tips are much better than the round tips in openBoard, using just the mouse. I feel that I have much control and accuracy with JUST the mouse. Of course that using a digital pen it would be another story. But, I do not have one here...