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

Importing non-native Inkscape files

In the previous section, we imported a previously-created Inkscape SVG file into the program. Inkscape supports a number of other graphic formats too. It can open or import SVG, SVGZ (gzipped SVG), PDF, and AI (Adobe Illustrator) formats. In particular, it can import bitmap-based graphic formats such as JPEG, PNG, and GIF, but it can only export PNG bitmaps.

With the help of extensions and plugins, Inkscape can also open a number of other vector formats. The following are some examples:

  • For importing PostScript or EPS, install Ghostscript (http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/)
  • For formats of Dia, XFig, or Sketch, you need to have those programs installed on your computer
  • For CorelDraw, CGM, and SK1 files, install Uniconverter (http://sk1project.org/). For Windows users, Uniconvertor is pre-installed with Inkscape and no additional installation is needed.

See this version of the Inkscape manual for the fully-supported formats and the caveats of importing each...