Cannot draw a new tangent segment without moving opposite handle

Alternatively the ability so join two selected end nodes with a new curve instead of a new segment could be very useful too.

Easier workaround with pen + node tool:

1) select the path to be tangentially extended
2) switch to the pen tool ('P')
3) click on the end node and draw adjacent segment (the extending segment does not necessarily have to be curved at this step)
4) switch to the node tool ('N')
5) select the former end node (now a cusp node with one or both handles extracted, depending on whether a line or curve segment was added)
6) hover the rounded end of the old node handle until it highlights
7) convert the node to smooth by typing 'Shift+S'

The node tool keeps the handle which is hovered while converting the cusp node to smooth fixed (in length and angle).

Workaround just using the node tool:

1) select the path to be tangentially extended
2) switch to the node tool ('N')
3) select the end node and duplicate it ('Shift+D')
4) move the duplicate node (e.g. with arrow keys) so that the two nodes no longer coincide
5) select the former end node (now a cusp node with the original handle extracted)
 6) hover the rounded end of the old node handle until it highlights
7) convert the node to smooth by typing 'Shift+S'

Now you can adjust the position (and handles) of the duplicated node (the new end node) as needed.

Ok ! It works ! I wasn't aware of that !

But the problem is when the old end node doesn't show its handle. I expect in this case this isn't possible to draw a tangent ?

When a node does not show its handle you can drag it from the node by holding shift

On 2015-09-16 24:16 (+0200), Mc wrote:
> When a node does not show its handle you can drag it from the node by
> holding shift

This would change the curvature of the existing segment which the user wants to extend tangentially.

Yes the curvature will be changed. The question is : is there a possible tangent in this case or not ? I think yes but it's like if the handle length is equal to zero. And thus one should have another solution to determinate the tangent.

I attach a PDF file with a proposal about an improved Bézier curves drawing mode.

I hope it's clear enough !

I forgot to tell in my PDF proposal that increasing or decreasing the strength of the segment curvature with some keys or mouse wheel increase or decreases also the sensitivity of the drawing tool : if set to very sensitive the curvature react stronger and increases or decreases more quickly while moving the pointer around.