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

Chapter 4, Creating your First Graphics

Pop quiz — displaying borders

1

a

Since a border is essentially the end of your graphic you can use it for a number of purposes—most importantly to show the boundary for where you can create graphics that will be printed or exported when your file is saved.

Pop quiz — switching shapes

1

c

You would use the toolbox and select the cube icon (6th icon from the top).

Pop quiz — image formats

1

d

Pop quiz — circles

1

c

Use the circle tool in the toolbox and press the Ctrl key while resizing it.

Pop quiz — joining objects

1

a

Make sure all of the objects are selected on your canvas that you want to join together in a union first and then select Path | Union. More details about this, grouping, and combining paths will be discussed in Chapter 7, Creating paths into complex shapes" to "Using Paths"

Pop quiz — deleting

1

d

Pop quiz — viewable grid

1

c