Make click anywhere in symbol select/identify the object (i.e. when symbol is bigger than the actual object)

[Alister]

Currently if you use a large point symbol you still need to click right in the center of the symbol when using the info or select single symbol tools. This is confusing: I think it is intuitive for these tools to work when you click anywhere inside the symbol.

Similarly, if you use a thick line for a polyline layer (or a polygon border) you currently need to click right in the middle of the line (or inside the polygon).

Also see #3805 regarding snapping

[lutra]

you can set the tolerance of the identify tool in the qgis options, "map tools" section. Closing?

[Alister]

No, this is not quite the same as tolerance. It is about the symbol being bigger than the actual object.

e.g. if I symbolise a point layer with 20mm circles then most users would expect that if they click anywhere in the circle then it would select or identify the object. But they actually need to click right in the centre of the circle (or the tolerance distance from the centre).

[Alister]

Also, I don't think the tolerance setting affects the select single feature tool (sorry - I called it "Select single symbol tool" in the description.

[lutra]

I just tested:

I can set a big symbol (ex: for a point layer) and then identify the features even if not clicking in the center of the symbol (even not clicking on the symbol at all), it is enough to change the "search radius for identifying and displaying map tips" parameter.

[Alister]

Yes, as long as the search radius is bigger than the symbol.

But most users wouldn't expect to need to change the search radius to something bigger than their symbol. And what if the symbol is defined in map units rather than mm? Then they would need to change the search radius when they zoom in... or simply click in the middle of the symbol.

It would be intuitive for the search radius to start at the edge of the symbol, rather than at the edge of the actual object (which is often smaller than the symbol), which is what it does now.