Inkscape

INTRODUCTION

INKSCAPE is an Open Source Vector graphics editor similar to Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw or Xara X, which uses the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format.

Inkscape can create and edit complex vector graphics and save them in a variety of formats. These illustrations and drawings may be used for Desktop Publishing, in your presentations and documents. Thus it may benefit everyone who requires graphics for presentations or any type of document. In particular it will be very useful for the graphic designer, web designer and the desktop publisher. There are no pre-requisites for learning Inkscape.

The current stable version of Inkscape is 0.48.1. Inkscape may be used under all flavours of Linux, Windows and Mac Operating Systems.

Please see the associated text box of individual spoken tutorials on the website to decide the versions of software and OS to which it is applicable.

Basic Level

1. Overview of Inkscape
   • Introduction to Inkscape
   • Interesting features
   • Usage of Inkscape
   • Installation of Inkscape in Linux and Windows O
   • Draw a rectangle
   • Saving an Inkscape file
2. Create and edit shapes
   • Inkscape interface
   • Create basic shapes like

     * rectangle, square
     * circle, ellipse
     * polygons, stars

1. • Fill color
   • Learn about the different types of handles -

     * resize
     * rotate
     * skew

1. • Modify shapes using handles
2. Fill, Stroke and Colour    
   • Fill color in objects
   • Give objects an outline
   • Various types of gradients
   • Stroke paint and style
3. Create and edit multiple objects
   • Copy and paste objects
   • Duplicate and clone objects
   • Group and Order various objects
   • Multiple selection and invert selection
   • Clipping and Masking
4. Layers and Boolean operations

• Layers and layer pallette

1. • Add a new layer
   • Rename a layer
   • Position a layer above or below other layers
   • Lock a layer
   • Hide a layer
   • Various modes
   • Add various filters
   • Create Boolean operations
2. Align and distribute objects
   • Align and distribute various objects
   • Align objects with reference to something
   • Arrange objects in rows and columns
   • Set spacing between objects
   • Create a tile pattern
3. Create and Format objects
   • Inserting text
   • Formatting text
   • Aligning text
   • Spacing and bullet
   • Making a simple flyer
4. Text tool features
   • Manual kerning
   • Horizontal kerning
   • Vertical shift
   • Character rotation
   • Spell check
   • Superscript
   • Subscript
5. Basics of Beizer Tool
   • Drawing using Bezier tool
   • Modes of bezier tool
   • Shapes of the paths
   • Node tool
   • Add, edit, delete nodes
   • Join and break paths
6. Text Manipulation
   • Text on path in Inkscape
   • Text on shape in inkscape
   • Image inside text
   • Text in perspective
   • Cutout text in inkscape
7. Create an A4 Poster
   • To make an A4 poster for Spoken Tutorial
   • Explaining to set page size for A4, default units (pixel/cm/inch), Orientation and Guides
   • Explaining to design with shapes and paths for a layout
   • Aligning the text content of the poster
   • Import logos and images
   • Save and export in PDF and PNG
8. Create a 3-fold brochure
   • Explaining how to set page size, default unit in Inkscape
   • Orientation and about Guides for 3-fold
   • Separating the page into 3 fold with rulers
   • Design the brochure
   • Importance of layers in Inkscape
   • Save and export in pdf in Inkscape
9. Design a CD label
   • Creating a CD design label
   • Document settings
   • Designing the layout
   • Alignment of text and images
   • Saving the document and exporting in various formats
10. Touch Selection    

Contributors and Content Editors

Arthi, Gaurav, Minal, Nancyvarkey, PoojaMoolya, Pratik kamble