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

Time for action — combining shapes

One of the simplest ways to create complex shapes in Inkscape is to combine other shapes into one or merge the shapes. Let's learn how we can do this by creating an arrow with a polygon and rectangle shape.

  1. Open a new document (any size will do, since we are just practicing).
  2. Select the Polygon tool from the toolbox.
  3. Create a polygon shape.
    Time for action — combining shapes
  4. From the Tool controls, change Corners to 3, as shown in the following screenshot:
    Time for action — combining shapes

    The octagon polygon shape changes to a triangle.

    Time for action — combining shapes
  5. From the toolbox, choose the Select tool and click the triangle object twice. The handles turn to curved arrows so you can rotate the triangle as shown in the following screenshot:
    Time for action — combining shapes

    Tip

    Rotating an object

    While drawing the polygon on the canvas, you can swivel it up, down, left, and right. Use the Ctrl key while performing the following actions and it will make rotations snap in 15 degree increments.

    It is okay if you don't do this while drawing it initially, you can always choose...