Inkscape beginner's guide: create attractive layout designs, logos, brochures, icons, and more using the Inkscape vector graphics editor 978-1-84951-720-1, 1849517207
Learning to use Inkscape, an exciting open-source vector graphics program, broadens your software toolkit as a graphic d
660 149 21MB
English Pages 279 Year 2012
Table of contents :
Content: Machine generated contents note: ch. 1 Getting Started with Vector Graphics --
What are vector graphics? --
Programs that use vector graphics --
Vector formats --
Scalable Vector Graphics --
Advantages of an open-standard vector format --
Additional advantages of SVG vector images over proprietary formats --
Disadvantages of vector graphics over non-vector formats --
Determining when to use vector or rasterized graphics --
Time for action --
basic design --
Time for action --
vector versus rasterized images --
Time for action --
building brochure files --
Summary --
ch. 2 Installing and Opening Inkscape --
Inkscape's features --
Installing Inkscape --
Time for action --
downloading Inkscape --
Troubleshooting installation --
The basics of the software --
Time for action --
getting started with Inkscape --
Understanding a new document --
Time for action --
learning more about the main screen --
Summary --
ch. 3 How to Manage Files --
Creating new files. Contents note continued: Using predefined-sized document dimensions --
Time for action --
creating a new CD cover --
Custom document dimensions --
Time for action --
creating a new custom file size for a postcard --
Saving Inkscape files --
Saving in Inkscape SVG --
Time for action --
saving an Inkscape SVG --
Exporting files --
Time for action --
exporting to PNG --
Creating a customized default document --
Time for action --
creating a new default document --
How to structure project files --
Managing multiple file projects --
Time for action --
exporting a batch of images --
Renaming object IDs --
Importing non-native Inkscape files --
Time for action --
importing a PDF into Inkscape --
Embedding and linking image files --
Embedding files in Inkscape --
Time for action --
embedding a logo into your design --
Linking external files in Inkscape --
Time for action --
linking a photograph into a brochure design --
Summary --
ch. 4 Creating your First Graphics --
Paths. Contents note continued: Creating your first vector graphic --
Creating a polygon --
Time for action --
opening a new document --
Time for action --
creating a star --
Time for action --
saving your graphic --
Creating ellipses and arcs --
Time for action --
creating the Ellipse --
Time for action --
making an arc --
Complex Shapes --
Time for action --
combining shapes --
Freehand objects (Paths) --
Time for action --
creating a freehand object --
Using grids and guidelines --
Time for action --
viewing the Grid --
Time for action --
making guides --
Summary --
ch. 5 How to Work with Layers --
Defining layers and how to create them --
Time for action --
creating a layer --
Using Layers in an example drawing --
Time for action --
using Layers in web design --
Locking layers --
Time for action --
locking a layer --
Hiding layers --
Time for action --
hiding layers --
Duplicating layers --
Time for action --
duplicating layers --
Arranging layers --
Time for action --
moving layers. Contents note continued: Time for action --
nesting layers --
Renaming layers --
Time for action --
renaming a layer --
Deleting layers --
Time for action --
deleting a layer --
Blend mode --
Time for action --
using Blend mode --
Summary --
ch. 6 Building Objects --
Working with objects --
Time for action --
creating a simple object --
Fill and Stroke --
Fill and Stroke dialog --
Time for action --
using the Fill and Stroke dialog --
Color palette bar --
Time for action --
using the color palette --
Dropper --
Time for action --
using the dropper tool --
Grouping --
Time for action --
grouping objects --
Clipping and masking --
Time for action --
clipping objects --
Time for action --
masking objects --
Summary --
ch. 7 Using Paths --
Working with paths --
Time for action --
using the Bezier tool --
Transforming objects into paths --
Stroke to paths --
Time for action --
creating spiros and swirls --
Object to Path --
Time for action --
Object to Path --
Path options. Contents note continued: Time for action --
creating an icon --
Summary --
ch. 8 How to Style Text --
Text and Font editor --
Time for action --
opening and using the Text and Font editor --
Kerning --
Time for action --
kerning text --
Text styling keyboard shortcuts --
Using paths and text --
Time for action --
using a path for text --
Placing text within a closed shape --
Time for action --
placing text in a closed shape --
Spell check and find/replace --
Time for action --
performing a find and replace --
Text effects --
Time for action --
using text effects --
Creating text reflections --
Time for action --
creating a reflection --
Summary --
ch. 9 Using Filters --
What are filters? --
Using the Filter editor --
Time for action --
using filters --
Using filters with text --
Time for action --
using filters with text --
Images and effects --
Time for action --
using filters with images --
Tracing images --
Time for action --
using Potrace --
Time for action --
using SIOX --
Summary. Contents note continued: ch. 10 Extensions in Inkscape --
Templates --
Installing and using new templates --
Time for action --
installing Inkscape templates --
Creating your own custom templates --
Time for action --
modifying an existing Inkscape template --
Time for action --
creating a custom template --
What are extensions? --
Examples of extension tutorials --
Installation extensions --
Summary --
ch. 11 Working with Images --
Importing from the Open Clip Art Library (Linux and Mac users) --
Time for action --
using the Open Clip Art Library (Mac users only) --
Basics about photo manipulation --
Time for action --
blurring the background of a photograph --
Converting raster logos to vector-based logos --
Time for action --
converting a logo to a vector-based image --
Summary --
ch. 12 Using the XML Editor --
Inkscape's XML Editor --
Time for action --
accessing the XML Editor --
XML Editor basics --
SVG basics --
Attribute types --
Basic attributes --
Paths --
Shapes --
Images. Contents note continued: Text --
Using the XML Editor to change characteristics --
Time for action --
using the XML Editor to change object characteristics --
Using XML and graphics with programmers --
Summary --
Appendix A Where to Find More Information --
Official sites --
Articles and tutorials --
Community --
Blogs --
Twitter --
Appendix B Keyboard Shortcuts --
Appendix C Glossary of Terms --
Appendix D Pop Quiz Answers.
