ofn-enclosing-circle

[Krikor]

I think it would be necessary for a path to determine the longitudinal axis of that ellipse.
In addition to the selection, a path would be created to obtain the ellipse.

In the image below, the color strokes; yellow, green and blue represent directional paths, which would inform the axis on which the ellipse would extend.
   
The question still remains as to what the radius (size / length) of the smallest axis of this ellipse.

Just rambling.

[denzjos]

@Krikor, you have a point. If one want to use this plugin for an illustration then it look the best if the chosen object has an encircling that points to that object that is important and that the form of the ellipse follows the direction of movement(if one will suggest one in the illustration) or, if it's a person, the direction (s)he is looking at.

[Ofnuts]

Trying on odd shapes and complicated paths

   

So, the center of the British Isles is in Lauchentyre, Scotland

[Kevin]

And if you were to try it without annexing the Republic of Ireland?!

[Ofnuts]

I said "British Isles" not "United Kingdom" (or even "British Islands") (the chart also omits the Shetland and Channel Islands).

[Ofnuts]

Updated again. Much better performance, and additional "Visible paths" source option.

[Krikor]

(01-13-2021, 01:18 PM)Ofnuts Wrote: Updated again. Much better performance, and additional "Visible paths" source option.

The selection is now in some cases very simple. 
   
Thx

[denzjos]

Even two path are sometimes enough (nice work):

   

[Ofnuts]

The addition is really meant to include things that are already split over several paths (text, or the British Isles above, which is a couple hundred paths).

You can prove that the smallest circle is either:

• defined by two of the given points and these two points are the end of a diameter
  
• defined by three of the given points, and the circle is the circumcircle of the triangle
  

So if you have only a few pojnts, there are more direct ways (ofn-path-to-shape can draw the circle that goes through three points)

[Ottia Tuota]

Yes, but you have no easy way of knowing which two points, or which three points. Your new plugin gives the answer right away. And the circle too. Here, on the left the circle is determined by two points. On the right, with almost the same path, it takes three points. Indeed a nice plugin.