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 — converting a logo to a vector-based image

Here's how you use Inkscape to convert a raster image logo into an SVG image in vector graphic format (that will be scalable!):

  1. Open the logo you want to convert in Inkscape. Whenever possible use an image that is of as high resolution as possible. This will ensure the best possible recreation of the logo. You can see from the enlarged screenshot that the edges are not smooth, as shown in the following image:
    Time for action — converting a logo to a vector-based image
  2. Select the entire image (Edit and then Select All) and then perform a trace by choosing Path and then Trace Bitmap.
  3. In the Trace Bitmap dialog box, select Multiscan Colors as the mode and be sure that Smooth is unchecked. The Scans can be set to 15.
  4. Click OK to start the conversion.
  5. (Optional step) As needed, adjust the new vector conversion of the image. Add, move, and adjust the nodes to match the original raster more closely.
  6. Next you need to delete your original image. From the main menu, select Object and then...