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 — opening and using the Text and Font editor

Creating text in a project is simple—select the Create and Edit Text tool in the toolbox, click at the insertion point within an open project, and start typing.

Time for action — opening and using the Text and Font editor

The text is immediately displayed on the canvas.

Tip

The text tool (A icon) in the toolbox is the only way of creating new text on the canvas. The T icon shown in the command bar is used only when editing text that already exists on the canvas.

Then you can use the Text and Font menu to change everything from the font, style, size, and justification. To open this window, from the main menu, select Text and then Text and Font (or use the shortcut keys and press Shift+Ctrl+T, or the T icon in the command bar).

Time for action — opening and using the Text and Font editor

This window dialog also has a useful feature where you can edit your text directly. Click the Text tab and select the text you want to change or add/delete.

Back in the Font tab, you can change the font itself, the point size, alignment, line spacing, and...