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 — using a path for text

In Inkscape, you can put text onto a path and have it follow its shape—and when you do this, the text and the path remain editable, which means you can still change the text, the shape of the path, kerning, and spacing elements in the text. Let's look at an example:

  1. To start, draw a path with the Bezier tool or in the case of the following example, the spiral tool.
    Time for action — using a path for text
  2. Then use the text tool and type the text that you would like to place on the path.
    Time for action — using a path for text
  3. Select both the text and path.
  4. Then, from the main menu, select Text and then Put on Path. You'll see that the text then is literally placed on the path of the line you had drawn.
    Time for action — using a path for text
  5. You can now move the original path and the text moves along with it. Alternatively, you can move the text away from the path, edit the text, or transform the text using kerning, text size, rotating letters, or moving them from the baseline—but it will still hold the shape of the path.
    Time for action — using a path for text
  6. If you need to remove...