Book Image

Inkscape Beginner's Guide

By : Bethany Hiitola
Book Image

Inkscape Beginner's Guide

By: Bethany Hiitola

Overview of this book

Learning to use Inkscape, an exciting open-source vector graphics program, broadens your software toolkit as a graphic designer. Using practical, real-world examples, you'll learn everything about the software and its capabilities so you'll be able to design anything from logos to websites.Inkscape Beginner's Guide is a practical step-by-step guide for learning this exciting vector graphics software. Not only will it take you through each menu item and toolbar, but you will also learn about creating complex shapes, text styling, filters, working with images, extensions, and the XML editoróall using real world examples.The book starts with an overview of vector graphics and how best to use them when designing for digital and print mediums. Then we install Inkscape and start learning all the ins and outs of the software. You'll build your first vector graphic while learning best practices for using layers, and build simple and complex objects with shapes and paths that will ultimately become exciting graphics to be used in your designs. Beyond designing sample logos and brochures while learning the software, you'll also learn how to use filters, install and use extensions, and the ins-and-outs of SVG and the XML Editor in Inkscape.
Table of Contents (18 chapters)
14
B. Keyboard Shortcuts
15
C. Glossary of Terms
17
Index

Installation extensions

The procedures for installing plugins vary because there are some dependencies on your computer's operating system and on what software you already have installed on your computer. The best rule of thumb is to read the plugin installation instructions.

Script installation is a bit easier—it requires the script code file itself and an INX file. It is as simple as copying both files and placing them into the extension folder directly. In Windows, this directory is C:\Program Files\Inkscape\share\extensions. In the Mac OS and Linux, this is typically in the home/.inkscape/extensions directory.

You should always be sure to read script installation instructions because they often have dependencies. For example, they may require additional programs to be installed before they can work. If you don't know these dependencies up front, you can try an install and then read the error message after you run the script from a command-line interface.

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