Intro to Inkscape

Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editing program. This software can be used to create or edit vector graphics such as illustrations, diagrams, line art, charts, logos and complex paintings. Inkscape can also make designs for laser cutters, Cricut machines, and Silhouette machines.

Inkscape can be used on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux operating systems. Download Inkscape via this link: https://inkscape.org/.

What are vectors?

Vectors are mathematically generated lines and shapes. They are resolution-independent, meaning that graphics can remain at the highest quality at any scale. For example, a vector design can fit on a business card or the side of a 50 foot building, and the image quality will remain the same with no distortion. Look at the example above between a vector and an image. The vector maintains its clarity and quality, while the raster graphic (or image), made up of tiny pixels, loses its quality the closer you zoom in, or if the image is enlarged.

Example Raster vs Vector image from https://iimagedesign.com/vector-vs-raster-for-logo-design/

When Inkscape is opened, you’ll see the toolbar (highlighted in blue on the example image) on the left side of the workspace, tool options (highlighted in green on the example image) located on the top of the page below the menu bar, and the highlighted rectangle in the middle of the section is the canvas (highlighted in red on the example image), where the design will go.

When working with specific measurements, it’s important to keep your design within the canvas. If you want to change the dimensions of the canvas go to File ➜ Document Properties ➜ Custom Size and change the width and height. Keep in mind to check the units so the scaling is correct.

To move around Inkscape, you can use the scroll bars on the right side and bottom of the page. If you are using a mouse, the scroll wheel will let you move up and down the page. Clicking and holding the scroll wheel in will turn the cursor turns into four points, indicating you can shift your view in any direction to move about the canvas.

TIP: If you get lost in your workspace, press the number 5 and this will bring you back to your canvas.

To zoom in or out, select View in the menu bar, select Zoom and choose to to either zoom in or out of the page. A quicker way to do this is to hold down Control and use the mouse scroll wheel to zoom in and out (DO THIS SLOWLY to not get lost in the interface).

The first tool Inkscape starts you off with is the Select tool, which looks like an arrow. This allows you to move, rotate and resize your objects. We will revisit this tool in a moment, but first let's make a shape.

Select the Rectangle tool in the toolbar. (Note: You can hover over a tool to see a description and shortcut.) The cursor will turn into crosshairs with a square and the tool selected becomes a darker gradient.

Left click and drag in the canvas to create your rectangle, let go of the mouse button to complete the shape. Notice the square has two smaller squares in the top and bottom corners, and a circle in the top right corner. These are ways to customize your shape. Put the cursor in the middle of the bottom right square and drag across slowly. This is one way to resize your shape. Next go the circle icon and drag down, this lets you curve the edges. The other circle behind it will do the same. To create a perfect square hold control while dragging across.

To move a shape on the workspace, go back to the Select tool and select the shape to move it. You can also resize the shape with the Select tool by clicking and dragging the arrows. Remember to hold control (crtl) to resize the shape proportionally. In order to delete an object, you must use the Select tool and click on the object you want to delete. Once selected, press Delete on the keyboard or right click and select delete. If you happen to make a mistake, select Edit in the menu bar to use the Undo and Redo options or press Control and tap Z at the same time to undo (DO THIS SLOWLY to not delete everything you’ve created).

Now that you have practiced with the Rectangle tool let’s move to the Circle tool. Select the pink circle tool in the toolbar. Left click and drag on the canvas to make a circle. Press Control at the same time to get a perfect circle, then let go of the mouse button to complete it. Notice at the top of the page the tool options have changed. Each tool we select will give us different tool options. Select the circle you’ve made - you will know the shape is selected because it has dash lines around it, sometimes called marching ants. In the tool options, the Start and End controls will alter the angle of the circle's arc point. Try setting the Start control to 30 and the End control to negative 30. When you make another circle, it keeps the same arc length from your settings. To change this back to a complete shape go to the start and end control and enter 0.

Next we have the Polygon and Star tool, which is beneath the Circle tool and has a yellow star and pentagon. Notice the tool options have changed again. To the far left of the tool options, you can choose to create a star or polygon. Leave it on the stars option for now and left click and drag on the canvas to make a star. This creates a common star with five points. But what if we wanted to add more points to our star? Luckily, Inkscape allows us to do this easily.

With your star selected (remember the dashed lines around it), go up to the tool options and where it says Corners, increase the corners to 10. You can also change the spoke ratio to have the star more concentrated to the center or the outside of the shape. Decrease the spoke ratio to around .300 (The square handle outside the star does this as well, similar to the square tool). If you want to make your corners rounded, use the Rounded tool option. Increase the value to around .100. You can really see how much these tool options can change your shape.

To further change your star, click the inside square handle and pull across to create your desired shape. The shape changes considerably by doing this. This is a fun tool to use and I encourage you to experiment with the tool options to create other stars and try them out with the polygon tool option.

The last tool we will cover in this Instructable is the Freehand Line tool - which looks like a yellow pencil icon in the toolbar. Left click and drag your mouse, and make a letter M without releasing it. The green transparent line is what you are creating. Once you release the mouse, the line will show. You are probably noticing the line is not very smooth. To make the line smoother, look in the tool options and increase Smoothing to 10.00 and make another M. See how the curves are more rounded? This tool is great for freehand drawing and making paths.

To change the color of a shape or line, go back to the Select tool. Select the object you want to change the color for and at the bottom of the interface, pick the color you want from the palette. The object will change from the color you select.

While creating your designs, it is good to save your work periodically. To save your project, go to File ➜ Save As another window will emerge - name your project here and choose where on your computer it will save to. Save your work as an svg file (there are other options if you need them under save as type). Svg stands for Scalable Vector Graphics and it is used to save two-dimensional graphics. Click Save in the bottom right corner to complete the process.

Keep practicing with the tools covered here, with time you’ll make some great designs!

If you want to learn more about Inkscape, check out some of the resources linked below:

• Inkscape.org Tutorials
• Raster vs Vector Graphics
• 10 Steps to Your Own Logo in Inkscape
• How to Digitize a Sketch Using Inkscape