How to remove collinear points or vertices from a Line String or Complex Chain

Background

When a Line String or Complex Chain contains mulitple collinear points or vertices (see Image 1) and it is desired to reduce or remove these, is there a method to do this while keeping only the points where the line changes direction?

Steps to Accomplish

1. Select the Move/Copy Parallel tool
2. In the Move/Copy Parallel tool settings, set the following (see Image 2):
   1. Set the Mode to Miter
   2. Distance to zero
   3. Enable 'Make Copy' (if you do not wish to delete original
3. Select the Element in question and click in the view to accept
4. Image 3 shows new element with vertices/points removed

Before executing, choose a different colour from Element Attributes and enable 'Use Active Attributes' in the Move/Copy Parallel tool settings. This will display the copied element in a different colour and show the difference between new and original.

Image 1 - Collinear points in Line String

Image 2 - Move/Copy Parallel tool settings

Image 3 - Newly created element with reduced points/vertices

See also

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