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 — grouping objects

When grouping objects, there is no limit to the number of objects that can be grouped together. You can also take multiple groups and group them together as well. Let's start with a simple example of how to group objects:

  1. Open an Inkscape document and draw separate objects to create the shape of a sun as follows:
    Time for action — grouping objects
  2. Now select all the objects on your screen. Click the select tool and then click and drag a bounding box around all objects that you want in the group or press the Ctrl + A key and select all objects on the canvas:
    Time for action — grouping objects
  3. Once all the objects are selected, from the main menu select Object | Group or use the Ctrl + G shortcut keys, as shown in the following screenshot:
    Time for action — grouping objects

    You'll notice the bounding box that was once around each individual object has now bound around the entire group of objects. You'll also notice in the status bar that a group is selected and the number of objects it contains (group of <x> objects in layer <layer...