Hi Folks,
In this post I talk about an awesome application called Inkscape.
What’s Inkscape? Inkscape is a free and open-source software an application for creating vector graphics. Vector graphics are a form of computer graphics created directly from geometric shapes defined on a cartesian plane, e.g. points, lines, curves and polygons.
You can use Inkscape to create SVG files. SVG means Scalable Vector Graphics. It is an XML-based vector image format. A major advantage of this format is that you can scale it as large as you want without it losing quality.
You can use Inkscape for creating logos, icons, cartoons, technical illustrations, flowcharts etc. It is very easy to use and robust.
If you’re new to Inkscape and would like to know how to use it, I recommend the amazing Inkscape tutorial called Inkscape Tutorial: Complete Starter Guide for New Users, by Logos By Nick.
Some tips with using Inkscape
How to scroll the screen in inkscape
hold down middle mouse button and move mouse around
How to zoom in and out in inkscape
hold down ctrl key, then zoom the mouse wheel in and out
How to zoom to 100% scale
press 1 on the keyboard
How to scale an object
click on select tool
click on the object. the scale icons will appear on the corners
drag a scale icon to scale the object
hold ctrl while dragging to maintain aspect ratio
to scale relative to the centre of the object, hold shift key as you drag the mouse
How to rotate an object
click on select tool
click the object twice. the rotation icons will appear on the object
drag a rotation icon to rotate the icon
How to change the axis of rotation of an object
by default the axis of rotation of a square is at its centre.
to change the axis, drag the axis icon to the desired location
to lock the axis of movement during the drag, hold ctrl key
to return the axis to its original default location, hold shift, then click the axis icon
How to duplicate an object
when dragging it, press Spacebar key
How to deselect all objects
click outside the objects, OR press Escape key
How to export your work
set format to inkscape svg
this will preserve everything needed to be able to reuse it again in inkscape
How to convert object to path
select object
click Path > Object to Path
How to align an object relative to another object
select the object
on menu click on Object > align and Distribute… this will open the Align dockable menu
press shift then select any other objects involved
How to remove stroke from an object
from Fill and Stoke dockable menu, click Stroke Paint, then click x.
alternatively, hold shift, then click the X on bottom left of screen
That’s all for now. Till next time, happy graphics design.
Resources
Inkscape. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inkscape
SVG. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SVG
Vector Graphics. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_graphics
Inkscape Tutorial: Complete Starter Guide for New Users. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzk-suGcqrc