AN INTRODUCTION TO USING INKSCAPE

Presented by Brian van Vuuren

01 April 2016

Contents

1. What is Inkscape?

2. The Inkscape environment

3. Basic Commands in Inkscape

4. 3 Examples of typical graphics which can be created in Inkscape

5. Words of the Day

What is Inkscape?

• Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor

• It can be used to create or edit vector graphics such as illustrations, diagrams, line art, charts, logos and complex drawings

• The primary vector graphics format is scalable vector graphics (SVG)

The Inkscape Environment

The Inkscape Environment

• Move up/down :

• Zoom in/out :

• Move side-to-side :

Basic Commands in Inkscape

•Fill & Stroke:

This is used for specifying fill colour/opacity of objects, as well as line width and colour of lines and arrows, and arrowhead types.

Basic Commands in Inkscape

•Align & Distribute:

This is used to line up objects relative to one another, as well as space items apart equally

Basic Commands in Inkscape

•Group & Ungroup:

This is used to bind objects together, or break them apart (as the name suggests)

• Group :

• Ungroup :

Basic Commands in Inkscape

•Difference:

This is used to cute a piece out of an object. The object on the top cuts out of the object on the bottom.

3 examples of typical Inkscape graphics • A flow chart:

– Aligning blocks and text

– Aligning arrows from blocks

– Drawing arrows with vertices

– Spacing blocks equally

– Text and maths in blocks with correct font & formatting

• A picture – Drawing freehand/curved lines

– 3D drawings

– Using icons/pictures from other sources

• A replicated item – Replicating an item with the same attributes many times

– Ensuring spacing, colour and size consistency

– Designing a ‘sequence graphic’ for use in your thesis

• A flow chart:

Useful Info:

• Arrow keys : Moves object by the Nudge factor (2 SVG pixels)

• Shift + Arrow : Moves object 10*Nudge factor

• Alt + Arrow : Moves object by one screen pixel

• Shift + Alt + Arrow : Moves object by 10 screen pixels

• You can specify object lengths etc. or you can hold Ctrl when you draw it in order to help maintain the aspect ratio.

• A picture

Useful Info: • In order to trim, you must duplicate your ‘front’ image and realign it.

Then the front image and the line to be trimmed and go to Path → cut path. The duplicated front image will disappear and the other line will be split at the intersection point.

• Use nodes to correct pictures, join lines and smooth out freehand lines.

• If importing a picture, go to Path → Trace Bitmap (choose colours/grays; select 10 scans, unselect ‘smooth’, select ‘stack scans ‘and ‘remove background’) and then click Update. A duplicated image with no background will form on top of the original image. Delete the original.

• A replicated item

Useful Info:

• Use the colour wheel to specify colour and save the Hex name of the colour to ensure consistency

• Use spacing with the arrow keys – count the number of keystrokes you use to make sure equi-spacing

The bottom line

• Everything shown in today’s presentation comes from the internet

• If you have an problem – someone has already solved it. So read up and don’t be lazy!

• Put in the effort to make good quality graphics – you will use them over and over for papers, presentations and your thesis/skripsie

Words of the day

• Agastopia:

Words of the day

• Agastopia: Admiration of a particular part of someone’s body

Words of the day

• Agastopia: Admiration of a particular part of someone’s body

• Adoxography:

Words of the day

• Agastopia: Admiration of a particular part of someone’s body

• Adoxography: Skilled writing on an unimportant subject

Words of the day

• Agastopia: Admiration of a particular part of someone’s body

• Adoxography: Skilled writing on an unimportant subject

• Callipygean:

Words of the day

• Agastopia: Admiration of a particular part of someone’s body

• Adoxography: Skilled writing on an unimportant subject

• Callipygean: Having well-shapen buttocks

Words of the day

• Agastopia: Admiration of a particular part of someone’s body

• Adoxography: Skilled writing on an unimportant subject

• Callipygean: Having well-shapen buttocks

• Gambrinous:

Words of the day

• Agastopia: Admiration of a particular part of someone’s body

• Adoxography: Skilled writing on an unimportant subject

• Callipygean: Having well-shapen buttocks

• Gambrinous: Being full of beer