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 — masking objects

Here are some quick steps to see what a mask will look like:

  1. Use the same objects in an open Inkscape document as in the previous example. This time, however, let's make the background leaves black and the tree in front a grayscale color as follows:
    Time for action — masking objects
  2. Press Ctrl + A to select all objects on your canvas.
  3. In the main menu select Object | Mask | Set.
    Time for action — masking objects
  4. In this result, the top object also becomes the overall shape, while the bottom peeks through. However, you will notice the degrees of grayscale setting over the entire object now. Masking depends only on grayscale. Thus, when using white, the objects below will be fully visible; when using black, the objects below will be fully blocked; and any gray level in between, the objects will be partially masked as in our example:
    Time for action — masking objects

    Note

    Just like in a group, if you double-click a clip, you will be able to select and edit the objects within it.

  5. One other item to note here is that the resulting masked object will have...