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 — creating an icon

We'll create an icon that has a border and star cut out. Let's get started:

  1. Open a new document in Inkscape.
  2. Select the create circles, ellipses, and arcs tool and draw a simple circle on the canvas. Hold the Ctrl key as you draw the circle to make it a perfect circle as follows:
    Time for action — creating an icon
  3. Use the Fill and Stroke dialog to remove the stroke and add an orange fill, as shown in the following image:
    Time for action — creating an icon
  4. Select the star tool from the toolbox:
    Time for action — creating an icon

    Make sure that you have the star option selected in the control bar as well:

    Time for action — creating an icon
  5. Draw a star in the middle of the circle. This star can have any color fill and stroke, as shown in the following image:
    Time for action — creating an icon
  6. Select the circle and the star. From the main menu, select Object | Align and Distribute.

    In the Align and Distribute dialog, click center on the vertical axis and then click on the horizontal axis as follows:

    Time for action — creating an icon
  7. From the main menu, select Path | Exclusion.

    You should then see that the circle has a "cut out" of a star in...