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

Using the Filter editor

To view all the filters that Inkscape has to offer (there are hundreds of them installed by default), on the main menu, select Filters:

Using the Filter editor

There are two categories of filters: the ones that work with normal objects (such as a created vector object in Inkscape) and the others that work with bitmaps (such as images or PNG files you have imported into Inkscape). Watch the notification area along the bottom of the screen when you use the filter menu for which filters will work on your selected objects as follows:

Using the Filter editor

Since there are many filters to use with Inkscape, it may seem overwhelming to know which one to use. You should explore and test to see which ones work best for your design or drawing.

Let's work through an example about how to use one of the filters in Inkscape.