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 SIOX

SIOX means Simple Interactive Object Extraction. It lets you separate an object from the background in a bitmap image. If you paid close attention to the steps performed to do a trace in the previous section, you'll notice that the option to use this feature is within the Tracing Bitmap dialog box.

Using SIOX depends on the characteristics of the bitmap image. If you have a photograph where an object is clearly distinguished in color from the background—you have a great chance for success in recreating it with a trace using this feature. Here's how it's done:

  1. Open up the bitmap image you want to trace in Inkscape.
  2. Make sure the image is selected and then from the main menu, choose Path and then Trace Bitmap. The Trace Bitmap dialog box appears.
  3. Check the SIOX foreground selection box to turn it on, as shown in the following screenshot:
    Time for action — using SIOX
  4. Now, use the freehand tool or a box, circle, or another object, and select an area of the image that...