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 — accessing the XML Editor

To begin we will open the XML editor in Inkscape:

  1. Accessing the XML Editor is the easy part. From any open Inkscape document, on the main menu, select Edit and then XML Editor.
    Time for action — accessing the XML Editor

    Tip

    You can also open the XML Editor using the keyboard shortcut Shift+Ctrl+X.

What just happened?

The XML window opened, and if your Inkscape canvas is blank, it will look something like the following screenshot:

What just happened?

On the left-hand side of this screen is the SVG code and on the right-hand side of the screen you see the attributes and values associated with the selected line of code. You can also select line items on the right-hand side of the screen and reset the values—in essence, editing the code directly.