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 — saving an Inkscape SVG

Since you have just started using Inkscape, let's use an example file to learn about the save features of Inkscape. Open your browser and go to the following link:

http://www.openclipart.org/people/kuba/LGM_poster2.svg

Right-click on the image and select Save As. When prompted, save the file to a location on your computer (for example, your desktop). We will use this OpenClip Art Inkscape file for this exercise:

  1. Open the example file in Inkscape.
  2. Once open, from the main menu, select File | Save.
    Time for action — saving an Inkscape SVG
  3. In the Select file to save to window, type a new name for your file (for example, drawing.svg).
  4. Choose a folder to save the file to—including choosing Browse for other folders if you'd like to choose another location.
  5. Again, note, by default the file will be saved as Inkscape SVG (*.svg), but there are a number of other formats to choose from in this menu. However, as stated, you may lose editability of the file once saved in another...