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Description
Someone else found this useful, so I thought I'd share it. This is a demonstration of how I taper lines for objects such as legs. This method allows me to ensure the two objects line up properly while still giving me flexibility to make changes without needing to redraw the entire thing.

I find this method is best for large objects - that if you were to convert the whole thing via Stroke to Path - would be difficult to adjust. I find it is great for manes, tails, legs and wings.

Download this file for a PNG version.
An MP4 demo video is available on SkyDrive (look for Tapering Demo 1).

Steps: (in Inkscape)
1. Draw the full outline of the object
2. Add two smooth nodes before the line starts to taper.
This is your buffer. This will allow you to adjust nodes on either side and still ensure the two objects align.
3. Make a copy of the object and paste in place (Ctrl + Alt + V)
4. Delete the unnecessary extra nodes.
5. Use Stroke to Path (Ctrl + Alt + C) on the object that needs tapering.
6. Create your point. Join the nodes together to make a point. Make sure that the angle is sharp and that the handles are about the same length.

If you later need to make a major edit:
1. Delete the object with the point.
2. Drag the extra node to its new location. Adjust handles as necessary.
3. Add a second smooth node for the buffer.
4. Follow the above steps from 3.

I do not promise that this is the best or only way to do this. It is simply a way to do it. I hope you found this useful.

Description
Someone else found this useful, so I thought I'd share it. This is a demonstration of how I taper lines for objects such as legs. This method allows me to ensure the two objects line up properly while still giving me flexibility to make changes without needing to redraw the entire thing.

I find this method is best for large objects - that if you were to convert the whole thing via Stroke to Path - would be difficult to adjust. I find it is great for manes, tails, legs and wings.

Download this file for a PNG version.
An MP4 demo video is available on SkyDrive (look for Tapering Demo 1).

Steps: (in Inkscape)
1. Draw the full outline of the object
2. Add two smooth nodes before the line starts to taper.
This is your buffer. This will allow you to adjust nodes on either side and still ensure the two objects align.
3. Make a copy of the object and paste in place (Ctrl + Alt + V)
4. Delete the unnecessary extra nodes.
5. Use Stroke to Path (Ctrl + Alt + C) on the object that needs tapering.
6. Create your point. Join the nodes together to make a point. Make sure that the angle is sharp and that the handles are about the same length.

If you later need to make a major edit:
1. Delete the object with the point.
2. Drag the extra node to its new location. Adjust handles as necessary.
3. Add a second smooth node for the buffer.
4. Follow the above steps from 3.

I do not promise that this is the best or only way to do this. It is simply a way to do it. I hope you found this useful.