a Quick Guide to Inkscape

ShareThis This is a guide is for artists or hobbyist who are already familiar with one vector drawing application and are looking to try Inkscape. Even if this isn't you, you might still find this guide useful.

It will hopefully be a good quick reference to help users overcome the hurdle of getting to know a different application, reveal some of the differences with other vector drawing applications, and highlight just a few ofInkscape's lesser known or more attractive features. Many simplistic and obvious features aren't described at all in this guide. For a thorough guide to all ofInkscape's features, visithttp://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/. In most cases I only list keyboard shortcuts for functions, but many of these functions are also found easily in themenus or on palettes and toolbars.

Contents
1. The Inkscape Window

2. Illustrator-Inkscape Translation Dictionary 3. Working with Paths 1. Drawing a path

1. Creating a path 2. Finish a path 3. Cancel a path

2. Edit a path

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Add a node Delete a node Split / break a node Combine / join nodes Continue / append an open path Delete a segment Join nodes with a new segment Change node type

4. Working with objects 1. Selecting objects 2. Selecting an obscured object 3. Resizing & rotating an object 4. Ordering objects 5. Duplicating objects 6. Cloning Objects 5. Working with Groups 1. Grouping & Ungrouping 2. Selecting objects within a group 3. Add objects to a group 6. Working with Clips & Masks 1. Defining a Clip or Mask 2. Clip / Mask multiple objects 3. Edit objects in a clip / mask 4. Add objects to a clip / mask 5. Edit the clipping / masking object 7. Working with Layers 1. Moving objects between layers 8. Working with Gradients 1. Creating a gradient 2. Applying an already defined gradient 3. Position / transform a gradient 4. Reversing a gradient 5. Repeating gradient 6. Asymmetric radial gradient 9. Conclusion and copyright

The Inkscape Window

Note that the Tool Control Bar will display icons specific to the tool you have selected.

Illustrator-Inkscape Translation Dictionary

For those already familiar with Adobe Illustrator, here's a brief translation ofIllustrator terms and tool names to their Inkscape equivalent. Illustrator Anchor Inkscape Node (smooth)

Handle

Handle

Anchor (corner)

Node (cusp)

Selection Tool (V)

Selector Tool (S)

Direct Selection Tool (A)

Node Tool (N)

Pen Tool (P)

Bezier Tool (B)

Pencil Tool (N)

Freehand Tool (P)

Live Trace

Trace Bitmap

Working with paths

Drawing a path
Paths are drawn using either the Bezier tool
or the Freehand tool . Unless you have a graphics tablet you will most likely always use the Bezier tool. Creating a path
Tool:

Laying a path with the Bezier tool involves simply clicking each spot you want a node to appear. A single-clickcreates a sharp node whilst mouse-drag creates asmooth node. As you draw Inkscape shows the segments of the line you've laid in greenand the unfinished segment as red. To undo the previous segment, pressBackspace or Delete. Finish path:
Tool:

Segment finished usingdouble-click

Segment finished usingEnter or Right-clicking

Double-clicking will finish the path with the unfinished segment (red) whilst

pressing Enter or Right-clickingwill end the path and discard the unfinished segment.Clicking or mouse-dragging on the starting node will create a closed path. Cancel path Press Escape or Ctrl+Z to cancel the entire path.

Edit a path

Add a node:
Tool: Tool Control:

Double-click or Ctrl+Alt+Click on a segment to add a node in that spot.

Delete a node:
Tool: Tool Control:

Delete attempts to preserve the shape by adjusting the adjacent node handles.

Ctrl + Delete does not preserve the shape.

You can Ctrl+Alt+Click a node to delete it, or select the node and press Delete or Backspace. With either of these options Inkscape will modify the handles on the remaining nodes to try and preserve the shape of the path. If you don't want this to happen, pressCtrl+Delete or Ctrl+Backspace instead. Split / break node:
Tool: Tool Control:

It may not be obvious you've split a node until you move one.

Select the node and press Shift+B to split or break it into two nodes. Combine / join nodes:
Tool: Tool Control:

Select two end nodes and press Shift+J to combine them into one node.

Continue / append an open path:

Tool:

Select the path and start drawing from one of the end nodes with the Pen Tool. Delete a segment:
Tool: Tool Control:

Select the segment, or the two nodes at either end of the segment, and press the button to delete it. Join nodes with a new segment:
Tool: Tool Control:

Select the two end nodes and press the Change node type:
Tool: Tool Control: , ,

button to create a segment between them.

A smooth node is indicated by a square whilst a cusp node uses a diamond.

Press Shift+C to make a cusp node. Press Shift+S to make a smooth node. Press Ctrl+Delete to make a smooth node with symmetrical handle lengths. Alternatively you can Ctrl+Click the node to toggle through each node type.

Working with Objects

For clarification, an object is a general term to describe all shapes that make up a drawing. Text, shapes, paths, anything drawn, is an object. This includes groups of objects. Selecting objects:
Tool:

Unlike applications like Adobe Illustrator and some other graphics applications, Inkscape does not provide a view of how all your objects are stacked in a drawing. You can only select objects from within the canvas area with the Selector

tool.
Selecting an obscured object:
Tool:

Sometimes you can't select an object because another object is above it. You can cycle through the selection of objects by pressing Tab or you can Alt+Click to cycle through selecting just the objects below the mouse cursor. Resizing & rotating an object:
Tool:

Select an object to show its transform handles. Clickthe object again to toggle rotation handles for the object. Ordering Objects:
Tool:

To raise or lower an objects order press Page Up or Page Down respectively. To raise or lower an object to the very top or very bottom press Home or End respectively.

Duplicating Objects:
Tool:

Press Ctrl + D to duplicate an object. This is similar to copying and pasting an object except it's position is the same as the original. Cloning Objects:
Tool:

To clone a object press Alt + D. Cloning is similar to duplicating except the clone maintains a link to the original so when you edit the original object the changes will be reflected in clone/s also. To select the original object whilst a clone is selected press Shift + D. You can unlink a clone from the original by pressing Shift +Alt + D whilst the clone is selected.

Working with Groups

Groups are a way of grouping multiple objects into a new object that can be treated the
same as a regular object. Even after grouping, individual objects within the group can still be edited. Grouping & Ungrouping:
Tool:

To group multiple objects press Ctrl + G and pressCtrl + U to ungroup. Selecting objects within a group:
Tool:

To select an object within a group Ctrl+Click. UseCtrl+Alt+Click to select obscured objects in a group. This is true for clips and masks as well. Alternatively, you can enter a group by pressingCtrl+Enter or double-clicking and then select the objects as normal. To break out of the group, press Ctrl+Backspace or select an object outside of the group. Add objects to a group:
Tool:

Press Ctrl + Enter or double-click to enter the group then draw or paste the new object to include.

Working with Clips & Masks

Clips and Masks are used to restrict what parts of an object are visible. The shape of the
object used as a clip defines the area that is visible whilst the transparency or lightness of an object used as a mask determines the area that is visible. Defining a Clip or Mask:
Tool:

Select two object and make sure the top most object is the object you want to use as the clip/mask. Select Setfor either Clip or Mask under the Object menu.

Clip / Mask multiple objects:

Tool:

If you select three objects and set a clip / mask where the top object is used as the clipping / masking object you'll end up with two separate clipped / masked objects. If you want to clip / mask multiple object, group the objects first. Edit objects in a clip / mask:
Tool:

Double-click a clip / mask to enter it and you will then be able to select and edit the

objects in it. If you are clipping / masking a group you will also be able to useCtrl + Enter. Add objects to a clip / mask:
Tool:

You will only be able to add objects to a clip / mask if you are clipping / masking a group. Double-click orCtrl + Enter to enter the clipped / masked group then draw or paste the new object to include.

Edit the clipping / masking object:

Tool:

To edit a clipping or masking object you will need torelease the mask (Object > Clip or Mask > Release). The only way to edit a clipping / masking object without releasing it is if the clipping / masking object is a cloned object and you edit the original.

Working with Layers

Layers work much the same as layers on other applications and the can be re-ordered, visibility toggled and locked from editing using the Layers palette or theLayer Information in the Status Bar. Moving objects between layers:
Tool:

To move an object to the layer above or below press Shift + Page Up orShift + Page
Down respectively.

Working with Gradients

Creating a gradient:
Tool:

Defining a gradient is pretty straight forward. Simply select an object, use the Gradient Tool to lay a new gradient then click the Edit button on the Tool

Controlbar to open the Gradient Editor where you can edit the gradient.

Applying an already defined gradient:

Tool:

Inkscape encourages you to re-use the same gradient on multiple objects. To apply a gradient already used by another object, select the object then the Gradient Tooland select the gradient from the drop-down list on the Tool Control bar. Alternative, copy an object that uses the gradient (Ctrl + C) then paste the style on the target object (Ctrl + Shift + Z), but note this will copy all styles associated with the source object including the position of the gradient. Note: When you edit a gradient the changes will be reflected in all objects that use it. You can duplicate a gradient to make subtle changes for a specific object. Position / transform a gradient:
Tool: or

Using either the Gradient Tool or the Node Tool you can easily position and transform a linear and radial gradient by grabbing its handles on the Inkscape canvas. Reversing a gradient:
Tool:

Press Shift + R to reverse a gradient. Note that if the gradient is used on other objects it will be duplicated so it doesn't affect those objects. Repeating gradient:

On the Fill and Stroke palette, select the repeat mode(reflected or direct) for the gradient on the selected object from the drop-down list.

Asymmetric radial gradient:

Tool: or

You can modify the centre position of a radial gradient to make it asymmetric by Shift + drag the centre handle.

Conclusion and Copyright

I hope you found this this guide useful. Note that the images of the ladies were digitally inked and coloured by myself using Inkscape, based off pencils provided by King-Cheetah (http://kingcheetah.deviantart.com/) and renecordova (http://renecordova.deviantart.com/) respectively. ShareThis

You can leave comments about this guide at InkscapeForum.com or at DeviantArt.