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 — locking a layer

Let's look at how you can lock a layer in Inkscape using the same design used previously. You can download the full project from http://dl.dropbox.com/u/565455/exampleprojectlayout.svg.

  1. With the blog mockup from the pervious exercise open in Inkscape, open the Layer dialog. From the main menu, select Layer and then Layers. On the right side of your screen, the Layers dialog will be displayed and it will look something similar to the following screenshot:
    Time for action — locking a layer
  2. You will notice that each layer has icons to the left of the layer name. Go to the Background layer and click the Lock icon. You will see that once you click that icon, the lock now looks closed or locked, shown as follows:
    Time for action — locking a layer

    This means that the Background layer can no longer be selected from the canvas, nor will any objects on this layer be able to be moved or edited.

  3. For example, go to your canvas and try to select the Background objects. You will not be able to move this layer until you unlock...