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 — using Blend mode

Let's add in a Multiply blend filter to two simple objects as an example:

  1. Open a new document in Inkscape.
  2. Use the Circle/Ellipse tool and create one red circle and one yellow circle, shown as follows:
    Time for action — using Blend mode
  3. Now move the yellow circle so it overlaps the red circle:
    Time for action — using Blend mode
  4. Open the Layers dialog and go to the Blend mode drop-down menu. Select Multiply as follows:
    Time for action — using Blend mode

    The two objects combine as if light were shining through both. The red and yellow objects—where they overlap—display orange, shown as follows:

    Time for action — using Blend mode
  5. If you now change the Blend mode back to Normal, the two objects now go back to being normal, or just simply overlapping.

What just happened?

We learned how to adjust the Blend mode between layers. We took two example objects (circles in this case) and gave them the Multiply blend. Then we learned how to turn the blend back to Normal mode.