I am a comic book artist. These days, colour in comics is becoming more and more sophisticated and, for my own work, I use line-work primarily to sharpen the coloured forms. I find the vector tools in Krita very useful for simple clean line-work as it is possible to adjust the curve of a line to very precise requirements. However, because a line produced with a vector function is of constant thickness, the lines tend to look somewhat mechanical. Would it be possible/practical to make an assistant tool similar to spline assistant tool but incorporating multiple points along the lines of the Bezier curve drawing tool? With this, it would be possible to adjust the curve of a line precisely. The tool could show the precise shape of the line and then, with a brush locked to the tool’s path, a line could be drawn with varying thickness or density.
This is a pretty good idea actually!
That variable thickness vector stroke is one of the many vector capabilities that are being thought about for krita. I suppose it may get done after more pressing matters are dealt with.
Also, for extensive vector work, it’s generally recommended that you use Inkscape which does have variable thickness strokes.
At the moment, you can use a brush preset to stroke a vector with
Edit → Stroke selected shapes, which does at least give you a texture on the line but it goes into a paint layer so you have to redo it after every vector adjustment.
The Calligraphy tool can be used to manually stroke a vector with variable pressure/thickness but the end result looks like a calligraphy pen with the ‘twisting ribbon’ effect. The Calligraphy tool needs lots of TLC and the end result can have artifacts and rough bits.
I’m not exactly suggesting a Vector tool, rather an Assistant tool. The vector tools are fine for certain types of illustration work, but for comic-book work, a line that is more flexible in width and strength is called for. Control of the line is difficult when drawing on a computer, even using the weighted or stabilizer options. The tool I suggested would enable the path of the line to be set up and precisely adjusted before the line is drawn. This would be the computer equivalent of a the flexible curve or French curves in conventional illustration. Of course, not all the lines in a drawing have to have the same degree of control. The attached pic (which I am working on includes elements of vector lines where I would have used the suggested Assistant tool.
I understand what you’re suggesting but that takes time and also needs a proposal with workflow explanations and UI mockups.
I was suggesting ‘workraound’ possibilities, which were not all that good.
Another possible workaround would be to use splines that have overlaid end points. These have to be made separately and then moved together to overlay the end points. Then you can snap to one end and trace along the combined curve:
Edit:Add: I’d refer you to the comments (and useful links) about feature proposals in this topic:
This could be solved with something like a vector engine yes.
Btw @AhabGreybeard even as is I prefer to work with vector inside Krita already more than inkscape.
Hey everyone, count me in as a supporter for this feature. It is one of the few things I miss in Krita. For certain scenarios it is just the best approach to have a clean vector guideline, but still apply the stroke and pressure variations manually. A bezier spline drawing assistant without point limitations, also allowing sharp corners, would be great.
hello mgo you can now vote to show your support for this 
This is feature F35 for assistants, btw (Planned changes to assistants coming in 2022 (or later)).