A quick guide to inkscape

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Guide to Guide to Guide to Guide to

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his is a guide is for artists or hobbyist who are already familiar with one

vector drawing application and are looking to try InkscapeInkscapeInkscapeInkscape. Even if this

isn't you, you might still find this guide useful.

It will hopefully be a good quick reference to help

users overcome the hurdle of getting to know a

different application, reveal some of the

differences with other vector drawing applications,

and highlight just a few of Inkscape'sInkscape'sInkscape'sInkscape's lesser known

or more attractive features.

Many simplistic and obvious features aren't

described at all in this guide. For a thorough guide

to all of Inkscape'sInkscape'sInkscape'sInkscape's features, visit

http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/.

In most cases I only list keyboard shortcuts for

functions, but many of these functions are also

found easily in the menus or on palettes and toolbars.

ContentsContentsContentsContents

TheTheTheThe Inkscape WindowInkscape WindowInkscape WindowInkscape Window 1111....

IllustratorIllustratorIllustratorIllustrator----InkscapeInkscapeInkscapeInkscape Translation DictionaryTranslation DictionaryTranslation DictionaryTranslation Dictionary2222....

Working withWorking withWorking withWorking with PathsPathsPathsPaths 3333....

Page 1 of 13a Quick Guide to Inkscape

10/25/2010http://www.microugly.com/inkscape-quickguide/

Drawing a path 1.

Creating a path1.

Finish a path2.

Cancel a path 3.

Edit a path 2.

Add a node1.

Delete a node2.

Split / break a node3.

Combine / join nodes4.

Continue / append an open path5.

Delete a segment6.

Join nodes with a new segment7.

Change node type 8.

Working with objectsWorking with objectsWorking with objectsWorking with objects 4444....

Selecting objects 1.

Selecting an obscured object2.

Resizing & rotating an object 3.

Ordering objects4.

Duplicating objects 5.

Cloning Objects 6.

Working with GroupsWorking with GroupsWorking with GroupsWorking with Groups 5555....

Grouping & Ungrouping1.

Selecting objects within a group2.

Add objects to a group3.

Working with Clips & MasksWorking with Clips & MasksWorking with Clips & MasksWorking with Clips & Masks 6666....

Defining a Clip or Mask1.

Clip / Mask multiple objects2.

Edit objects in a clip / mask3.

Add objects to a clip / mask4.

Edit the clipping / masking object 5.

Working with LayersWorking with LayersWorking with LayersWorking with Layers 7777....

Moving objects between layers 1.

Working with GradientsWorking with GradientsWorking with GradientsWorking with Gradients 8888....

Creating a gradient 1.

Applying an already defined gradient2.

Position / transform a gradient 3.

Reversing a gradient4.

Repeating gradient5.

Asymmetric radial gradient6.

Conclusion and copyrightConclusion and copyrightConclusion and copyrightConclusion and copyright 9999....



The Inkscape WindowThe Inkscape WindowThe Inkscape WindowThe Inkscape Window

Note that the Tool Control Bar will display icons specific to the tool you have

selected.

IllustratorIllustratorIllustratorIllustrator----Inkscape Translation DictionaryInkscape Translation DictionaryInkscape Translation DictionaryInkscape Translation Dictionary

For those already familiar with Adobe IllustratorAdobe IllustratorAdobe IllustratorAdobe Illustrator, here's a brief translation of

IllustratorIllustratorIllustratorIllustrator terms and tool names to their InkscapeInkscapeInkscapeInkscape equivalent.

IllustratorIllustratorIllustratorIllustrator InkscapeInkscapeInkscapeInkscape

Anchor Node (smooth)

Handle Handle

Anchor (corner) Node (cusp)

Selection Tool ( V ) Selector Tool ( S )

Direct Selection Tool ( A ) Node Tool ( N )



Segment finished using

double-click

IllustratorIllustratorIllustratorIllustrator InkscapeInkscapeInkscapeInkscape

Pen Tool ( P ) Bezier Tool ( B )

Pencil Tool ( N ) Freehand Tool ( P )

�Live Trace �Trace Bitmap

Working with pathsWorking with pathsWorking with pathsWorking with paths

Drawing a path

Paths are drawn using either the Bezier tool or the Freehand tool .

Unless you have a graphics tablet you will most likely always use the Bezier

tool.

Creating aCreating aCreating aCreating a pathpathpathpath

Tool:

Laying a path with the Bezier tool involves simply

clicking each spot you want a node to appear. A

single-click creates a sharp node whilst mouse

-drag creates a smooth node.

As you draw InkscapeInkscapeInkscapeInkscape shows the segments of the line you've laid in

green and the unfinished segment as red. To undo the previous

segment, press Backspace or Delete .

Finish path:Finish path:Finish path:Finish path:

Tool:

Double-clicking will finish the path with the

unfinished segment (red) whilst pressing Enter

or Right-clicking will end the path and discard

the unfinished segment. Clicking or mouse-

dragging on the starting node will create a

closed path.



Segment finished using

Enter or Right-

clicking

Delete attempts to

preserve the shape by

adjusting the adjacent

node handles.

Ctrl + Delete does not

preserve the shape.

It may not be obvious

you've split a node until

you move one.

Cancel path Cancel path Cancel path Cancel path ----

Press Escape or Ctrl + Z to cancel the entire

path.

Edit a path

Add a node:Add a node:Add a node:Add a node:

Tool:

Tool Control:

Double-click or Ctrl + Alt +Click on a

segment to add a node in that spot.

Delete aDelete aDelete aDelete a node:node:node:node:

Tool:

Tool Control:

You can Ctrl + Alt +Click a node to delete it,

or select the node and press Delete or

Backspace . With either of these options InkscapeInkscapeInkscapeInkscape

will modify the handles on the remaining nodes to

try and preserve the shape of the path. If you

don't want this to happen, press Ctrl + Delete or

Ctrl + Backspace instead.

SplitSplitSplitSplit / break node:/ break node:/ break node:/ break node:

Tool:

Tool Control:

Select the node and press Shift + B to split or

break it into two nodes.



A smooth node is

indicated by a square

Combine / joinCombine / joinCombine / joinCombine / join nodes:nodes:nodes:nodes:

Tool:

Tool Control:

Select two end nodes and press Shift + J to

combine them into one node.

Continue / append an open path: Continue / append an open path: Continue / append an open path: Continue / append an open path:

Tool:

Select the path and start drawing from one of the

end nodes with the Pen Tool.

Delete aDelete aDelete aDelete a segment:segment:segment:segment:

Tool:

Tool Control:

Select the segment, or the two nodes at either end

of the segment, and press the button to delete

it.

JoinJoinJoinJoin nodes with a new segment:nodes with a new segment:nodes with a new segment:nodes with a new segment:

Tool:

Tool Control:

Select the two end nodes and press the button

to create a segment between them.

Change nodeChange nodeChange nodeChange node type:type:type:type:

Tool:

Tool Control: , ,

Press Shift + C to make a cusp node. Press

Shift + S to make a smooth node. Press

Ctrl + Delete to make a smooth node with

symmetrical handle lengths. Alternatively you can

Ctrl +Click the node to toggle through each

node type.



whilst a cusp node uses a

diamond.Working with ObjectsWorking with ObjectsWorking with ObjectsWorking with Objects

For clarification, an object is a general term to describe all shapes that make

up a drawing. Text, shapes, paths, anything drawn, is an object. This

includes groups of objects.

SelectingSelectingSelectingSelecting objects:objects:objects:objects:

Tool:

Unlike applications like Adobe IllustratorAdobe IllustratorAdobe IllustratorAdobe Illustrator and

some other graphics applications, InkscapeInkscapeInkscapeInkscape does

not provide a view of how all your objects are

stacked in a drawing. You can only select objects from within the canvas

area with the Selector tool.

Selecting an obscured object:Selecting an obscured object:Selecting an obscured object:Selecting an obscured object:

Tool:

Sometimes you can't select an object because

another object is above it. You can cycle through

the selection of objects by pressing Tab or you

can Alt +Click to cycle through selecting just the objects below the

mouse cursor.

Resizing & rotating an object:Resizing & rotating an object:Resizing & rotating an object:Resizing & rotating an object:

Tool:

Select an object to show its transform handles.

Click the object again to toggle rotation

handles for the object.

Ordering Objects:Ordering Objects:Ordering Objects:Ordering Objects:

Tool:



To raise or lower an objects order press Page Up or Page Down

respectively. To raise or lower an object to the very top or very bottom

press Home or End respectively.

Duplicating Objects:Duplicating Objects:Duplicating Objects:Duplicating Objects:

Tool:

Press Ctrl + D to duplicate an object. This is

similar to copying and pasting an object except

it's position is the same as the original.

Cloning Objects:Cloning Objects:Cloning Objects:Cloning Objects:

Tool:

To clone a object press Alt + D . Cloning is

similar to duplicating except the clone maintains a

link to the original so when you edit the original

object the changes will be reflected in clone/s

also. To select the original object whilst a clone is

selected press Shift + D . You can unlink a clone

from the original by pressing Shift + Alt + D whilst the clone is

selected.

Working withWorking withWorking withWorking with GroupsGroupsGroupsGroups

Groups are a way of grouping multiple objects into a new object that can be

treated the same as a regular object. Even after grouping, individual objects

within the group can still be edited.

Grouping & Ungrouping:Grouping & Ungrouping:Grouping & Ungrouping:Grouping & Ungrouping:

Tool:

To group multiple objects press Ctrl + G and

press Ctrl + U to ungroup.

Selecting objects within a group:Selecting objects within a group:Selecting objects within a group:Selecting objects within a group:

Tool:



To select an object within a group Ctrl +Click .

Use Ctrl + Alt +Click to select obscured

objects in a group. This is true for clips and

masks as well. Alternatively, you can enter a

group by pressing Ctrl + Enter or double-clicking and then select

the objects as normal. To break out of the group, press

Ctrl + Backspace or select an object outside of the group.

AddAddAddAdd objects to a group:objects to a group:objects to a group:objects to a group:

Tool:

Press Ctrl + Enter or double-click to enter

the group then draw or paste the new object to

include.

Working with Clips &Working with Clips &Working with Clips &Working with Clips & MasksMasksMasksMasks

Clips and Masks are used to restrict what parts of an

object are visible. The shape of the object used as a

clip defines the area that is visible whilst the

transparency or lightness of an object used as a mask

determines the area that is visible.

Defining a Clip orDefining a Clip orDefining a Clip orDefining a Clip or Mask:Mask:Mask:Mask:

Tool:

Select two object and make sure the top most

object is the object you want to use as the

clip/mask. Select Set for either Clip or Mask

under the Object menu.

Clip / MaskClip / MaskClip / MaskClip / Mask multiple objects:multiple objects:multiple objects:multiple objects:

Tool:

If you select three objects and set a clip / mask where the top object is

used as the clipping / masking object you'll end up with two separate



clipped / masked objects. If you want to clip /

mask multiple object, group the objects first.

Edit objects in aEdit objects in aEdit objects in aEdit objects in a clip / mask:clip / mask:clip / mask:clip / mask:

Tool:

Double-click a clip / mask to enter it and you

will then be able to select and edit the objects in

it. If you are clipping / masking a group you will

also be able to use Ctrl + Enter .

Add objects to a clip / mask:Add objects to a clip / mask:Add objects to a clip / mask:Add objects to a clip / mask:

Tool:

You will only be able to add objects to a clip /

mask if you are clipping / masking a group.

Double-click or Ctrl + Enter to enter the

clipped / masked group then draw or paste the

new object to include.

Edit the clipping / maskingEdit the clipping / maskingEdit the clipping / maskingEdit the clipping / masking object:object:object:object:

Tool:

To edit a clipping or masking object you will need

to release the mask (Object > Clip or Mask >

Release ). The only way to edit a clipping /

masking object without releasing it is if the

clipping / masking object is a cloned object and

you edit the original.

�



Working withWorking withWorking withWorking with LayersLayersLayersLayers

Layers work much the same as layers on other applications and the can be re

-ordered, visibility toggled and locked from editing using the Layers palette

or the Layer Information in the Status Bar.

Moving objects betweenMoving objects betweenMoving objects betweenMoving objects between layers:layers:layers:layers:

Tool:

To move an object to the layer above or below press Shift + Page Up

or Shift + Page Down respectively.

Working withWorking withWorking withWorking with GradientsGradientsGradientsGradients

Creating a gradient:Creating a gradient:Creating a gradient:Creating a gradient:

Tool:

Defining a gradient is pretty straight forward.

Simply select an object, use the Gradient Tool to

lay a new gradient then click the Edit button on

the Tool Control bar to open the Gradient Editor

where you can edit the gradient.

Applying an already definedApplying an already definedApplying an already definedApplying an already defined gradient:gradient:gradient:gradient:

Tool:

InkscapeInkscapeInkscapeInkscape encourages you to re-use the same

gradient on multiple objects. To apply a gradient

already used by another object, select the object then the Gradient Tool

and select the gradient from the drop-down list on the Tool Control

bar. Alternative, copy an object that uses the gradient ( Ctrl + C ) then

paste the style on the target object ( Ctrl + Shift + Z ), but note this

will copy all styles associated with the source object including the

position of the gradient.

Note:Note:Note:Note: When you edit a gradient the changes will be reflected in all objects

that use it. You can duplicate a gradient to make subtle changes for a

specific object.



Position / transform a gradient:Position / transform a gradient:Position / transform a gradient:Position / transform a gradient:

Tool: or

Using either the Gradient Tool or the Node Tool

you can easily position and transform a linear and

radial gradient by grabbing its handles on the

InkscapeInkscapeInkscapeInkscape canvas.

Reversing aReversing aReversing aReversing a gradient:gradient:gradient:gradient:

Tool:

Press Shift + R to reverse a gradient. Note that

if the gradient is used on other objects it will be

duplicated so it doesn't affect those objects.

Repeating gradient:Repeating gradient:Repeating gradient:Repeating gradient:

On the Fill and Stroke palette, select the repeat

mode (reflected or direct) for the gradient on the

selected object from the drop-down list.

Asymmetric radial gradient:Asymmetric radial gradient:Asymmetric radial gradient:Asymmetric radial gradient:

Tool: or

You can modify the centre position of a radial

gradient to make it asymmetric by Shift +

drag the centre handle.

Conclusion andConclusion andConclusion andConclusion and CopyrightCopyrightCopyrightCopyright

I hope you found this this guide useful.

Note that the images of the ladies were digitally inked and coloured by

myself using InkscapeInkscapeInkscapeInkscape, based off pencils provided by KingKingKingKing----CheetahCheetahCheetahCheetah

(http://king-cheetah.deviantart.com/) and renecordovarenecordovarenecordovarenecordova

(http://renecordova.deviantart.com/) respectively.

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You can leave comments about this guide at InkscapeForum.com or at

DeviantArt.





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A quick guide to inkscape