Inkscape quick start guide: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Inkscape_logo.png|300px|thumb|right]]


'''To download inkscape, visit: [http://www.inkscape.org http://www.inkscape.org]'''
== inkscape screenshot overview ==
 
'''And download PDF : [[:File:inkscape-basics.pdf|Inkscape beginners tutorial - short]]'''


[[File:Inkscape_logo.png|300px|thumb|right]]
[[File:inkscape-program-overview.jpg|600px]]






== screenshot program  ==


[[File:inkscape-program-overview.jpg|600px]]
'''inkscape is open source program and free to download ː[http://www.inkscape.org http://www.inkscape.org]'''






== instruction  ==
This is a short beginners tutorial to explain how to turn a image into a vector PDF, ready to vinyl or laser cutting. 


== Setting document size  ==


=== set document size ===
'''1.''' Go to menu > file > document properties.  
'''1.''' Go to menu > file > document properties.  


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'''2.''' Switch the units from px to your preference (cm or mm)
'''2.''' Change the width and height to your preference.
 
Then change the width and height.  


[[File:2_how-to-prep_inkscape_document-size.jpg|200px]]
[[File:2_how-to-prep_inkscape_document-size.jpg|200px]]
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*lasercutter - [[Epilog_Mini_24]] : '''60 x 30 cm'''   
*lasercutter - [[Epilog_Mini_24]] : '''max cutting area 60 x 30 cm'''   
*vynilcutter - [[Roland_GX-24_CAMM-1]] : '''58 cm wide'''  
*vynilcutter - [[Roland_GX-24_CAMM-1]] : '''max cutting area 58 or 48 cm wide, depending on roll size'''  




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=== copy&paste image ===


'''3.''' Find a black&white image on google. Right click to copy the image.


== Changing image to vector using trace bitmap option  ==
(if your image is a PNG istead of Jpeg, then first save the file to the desktop, and in inkscape go to the menu > file > import)
 
'''1.''' Find an image on the internet. Right click and choose copy image.


[[File:3_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-to-vector.jpg|400px]]  
[[File:3_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-to-vector.jpg|300px]]  








'''2.''' In inkscape, right click and choose paste.  
'''4.''' Go back to inkscape, right click and to paste.  


[[File:4_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-to-vector.jpg|200px]]
[[File:4_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-to-vector.jpg|200px]]
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'''3.''' If image is to big, drag on the corner arrows to get it smaller.  
'''5.''' Re-size the image to fit in the page. Hold the [CTRL] key down to keep the image in proportion.
Holder [CTRL] key while doing that, to keep the image in proportions.


[[File:5_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-to-vector.jpg|200px]]
[[File:5_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-to-vector.jpg|200px]]
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=== change image to vector ===
'''6.''' select you image and go to the menu > path > trace bitmap


'''4.''' While the image is selected, go to the menu and choose path > trace bitmap
[[File:6_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-to-vector.jpg|400px]]


[[File:6_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-to-vector.jpg|400px]]






'''7.''' In this window, click on update then on ok. (it can happen that the preview will no respond after clicking on update)


'''5.''' In this new window, first click on the update button to get a preview.
(if you want to know more about this menu ː watch [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-xxhphybnE this video])


[[File:7_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-to-vector.jpg|400px]]
[[File:7_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-to-vector.jpg|400px]]
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You can mess with the various settings to get a good preview.  
'''8.''' A copy should have appeared over the image. Pick it up and drag it to the side.  
 
For my example to work: I changed it to edge detection.
Different settings work for different images, try changing stuff and update again.
 
When happy, click ok and close the window.  


 
You can now delete the (original) image (select > right mouse button > delete) and keep the vector (copy).
 
 
'''6.''' Make sure you still have the black colored mouse selected in the toolbar.
Then click on the image and drag it to the side.  


[[File:8_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-to-vector.jpg|400px]]
[[File:8_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-to-vector.jpg|400px]]
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=== editing your design ===


'''7.''' Right mouse click on the image you used dragged to the side and choose delete.  
'''9. optionalː''' To make changes to the vectorː select the edit mouse from the toolbar and click on the shape.  


[[File:9_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-to-vector.jpg|200px]]
The little squares that now appear (called nodes) can be dragged around to where ever you like.  
 
 
 
 
'''8.''' The lined shape that stayed behind is a vector shape.
 
You can now edit the shape if you want, select the edit mouse from the toolbar and click on the shape.
 
The little squares that now appear (called nodes) can be changed and dragged around to where ever you like.  


[[File:10_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-to-vector.jpg|400px]]
[[File:10_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-to-vector.jpg|400px]]
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=== cleaning up ===


'''10. optionalː'''  how to remove many details quickly, like all highlighted yellow area's of this example, .


== Cleaning up image using break apart option ==
Select your design, and in the menu go to path > break apart.  
 
 
'''1.''' Sometimes a trace bitmap result looks a bit messy, and needs a bit of cleaning up.
 
Here is a drawing example, copied into inkscape.
 
[[File:11_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-cleanup.jpg|400px]]
 
 
 
The end result is nice, but up close you can see there is a lots to improve.
Let say I want to remove the area’s highlighted in yellow.
 
[[File:12_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-cleanup.jpg|400px]]


The image should break apart in a lots of little parts. Notice that the eye's turn black (this will be fixed later).


If it does not work, check if your design is not a group (menu > object > ungroup).


[[File:12_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-cleanup.jpg|400px]] [[File:13_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-cleanup.jpg|400px]]


'''2.''' Select your shape, and in the menu go to path > break apart.


The image shoud break apart in a lots of little parts.


If it does not work, it could be that you object is still within a group.
Then first choose within the menu object > ungroup.


[[File:13_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-cleanup.jpg|400px]]
'''12. optionalː''' if it is hard to see what you are doing, you can temporary tun you design to lines instead of colored fills.  


Select you whole design and go to menu > object > fill&stroke.


[[File:inkscape-fill-and-stroke-menu.jpg|600px]]




'''3.''' You can now select the shapes you want to delete.


Holding the [shift] button while selecting, can help you select multiple objects.
'''13.''' You can now select the bits you want to delete, and clean up the design.


And after some clicking and deleting, my end result is:
When done, select everything and go to menu > path > combine. That should fix the eye's again. 


[[File:14_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-cleanup.jpg|400px]]
[[File:14_how-to-prep_inkscape_img-cleanup.jpg|400px]]
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=== set file&stroke ===




== Typing text ==
'''14.''' before we save the file,
 
 
'''1.''' Choose the type tool from the toolbar. Click on your document and start typing.
 
[[File:14_how-to-prep_inkscape_text-tool.jpg|400px]]
 


Select your design and go to menu > object > fill and stroke.




'''2.''' Change the font into something fun by selecting the text
*'''for cutting shapes''': turn off fill, turn on stroke, set it to 255 red, and set the stroke style to 0.02 mm<br>
and choosing something different in the popdown menu at the top of the screen.  
*'''For engraving''' keep the fill on and set it to black, and turn the stroke off.  


[[File:15_how-to-prep_inkscape_text-tool.jpg|400px]]
[[File:inkscape-fill-and-stroke-menu.jpg|600px]]








== joining shapes together or cutting them out ==
'''15.''' if you notice that objects need to be joined, first make sure it is not a group (menu > object > ungroup)


[[File:inkscape-using-union.jpg|800px]]
[[File:inkscape-using-union.jpg|800px]]
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=== save file as... ===


[[File:inkscape-using-difference.jpg|800px]]
'''15.''' Go to the menu and choose file > save as...
 
 
 
 
 
== Drawing (tracing) by hand using the bezier tool  ==
 
'''1.''' Start by opening up a image.
In the menu choose file > open, select the right file and click open.
 
[[File:23_how-to-prep_inkscape_drawing-pen-tool.jpg|200px]]
 
 
 
 
'''2.''' From the toolbar choose the bezier tool.
Make sure the mode and shape option at the top of the screen are set on standard.
 
[[File:24_how-to-prep_inkscape_drawing-pen-tool.jpg|200px]]
 
 
 
 
'''3.''' For this example I will use a photo of a flower. Let start by tracing one of the leaves.  
 
On the starting point click once, move your mouse along the shape, and click again.
 
Roughly trace the shape (keep clicking once, several times) and double click to finish.
 
[[File:25_how-to-prep_inkscape_drawing-pen-tool.jpg|400px]][[File:inkscape-drawing-by-hand.jpg|400px]]
 
 
 
 
 
'''4.''' Use the fill and stroke options to change the color and line width to your own preferences.
shortcut to open window: [SHIFT] + [CTRL] + [F]
 
[[File:26_how-to-prep_inkscape_drawing-pen-tool.jpg|400px]]
 
 
 
 
'''5.''' To make the line smooth, first change to the edit mouse from the toolbar.
With this tool selected, click on one of the nodes (squares) to select it.
 
When 1 is selected, click in the top icon menu bar on the node icon with the 2 handles.
 
[[File:inkscape-drawing-by-hand-screenshot-program.jpg|600px]]  [[File:27_how-to-prep_inkscape_drawing-pen-tool.jpg|200px]]
 


 
Navigate to the desktop > choose either vinylcutter or lasercutter folder.  
'''6.''' This may take so practice, but keep on going until you're happy with the shape.
 
End result:
 
[[File:29_how-to-prep_inkscape_drawing-pen-tool.jpg|400px]]
 
 
 
 
 
== Changing color of object: (fill and stroke menu) ==
 
'''1.''' Go to menu > object > fill and stroke.
 
[[File:inkscape-fill-and-stroke-menu.jpg|400px]]
 
*Lasercutting / Vynilcutting : '''no fill > set stroke''' in red with a line width of 0.01 mm.
*Laser engraving (raster) : '''no stoke > set fill''' on black color.
 
 
 
 
 
== Saving as PDF  ==
 
 
'''1.''' Go to the menu and choose file > save as...


[[File:30_how-to-prep_inkscape_saving-as-pdf.jpg|200px]]
[[File:30_how-to-prep_inkscape_saving-as-pdf.jpg|200px]]




'''2.''' Choose where you want to save the file, on public computers a good place is (usually) the desktop.
   
   
Type in a descriptive file name, and select PDF as file format. Then hit the save button.
Type in a descriptive file name, and select PDF as file format. Then hit the save button.
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'''3.''' In this dialog window make sure the standard resolution setting is 600.  
'''3.''' In this window the resolution to 600. And you need to choose if you want to export as drawing or as page.  
 
And you need to choose if you want to export as drawing or as page.  
 
if unsure, export as drawing. (You can always fix the size later on if necessary.)
Hit ok when ready.
 




'''- Exporting as drawing:''' will mean you document size will be as big or as small as you drawing.  
'''- Exporting as drawing:''' will mean you document size will be cropped to the size of your drawing.  
So it will ignore any document properties settings.  
(It will ignore your document properties setting.)


'''- Exporting as page:''' will mean it will export your document properties settings.  
'''- Exporting as page:''' will mean it will export your document properties settings.  
So you're drawing will get cut if a part is drawn outside the document window.  
So you're drawing is drawn over the edge of the page, it will get cut off.  




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== recommended YouTube's ==


 
*[http://wiki.fablab.is/wiki/Inkscape recommended video's listed]
 
*[https://sites.google.com/site/fablabiceland/home/teaching/software/inkscape icelandic video's listed]
== Tips for saving file for laser cutter  ==
*[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIauCyh_UshuncR5zI7NzYg FabLab Reykjavik YouTube channel]
 
 
'''Cutting out shapes: set the line width to 0.01 mm'''
 
* You can change this by fist selecting your artwork [ctrl] + [A]
* Then open up the fill and stroke menu [shift] + [crtl] + [F]
* Go to the stroke style tab and change the width to 0.01 mm
 
 
 
'''For engraving shapes, set you drawing on a black fill (no stroke)'''
 
* You can change this by fist selecting your artwork [ctrl] + [A]
* Then open up the fill and stroke menu [shift] + [crtl] + [F]
* Go to the stroke paint tab and click on the [X] (no paint)
* Then go to the fill tab en click on the cube (flat color)
* Also check in this tab is the opacity is at 100%
 
 
 
'''The documents color mode needs to be in RGB (not CMYK)'''
note that in inkscape standard is RGB, but in illustrator it is not.  
 
Read more laser cutter: [[Epilog_Laser]]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
== Saving file for vinyl cutter ==
 
'''Cutting out shapes: set the line width to 0.01 mm'''
 
* Fist selecting your artwork [ctrl] + [A]
* Then open up the fill and stroke menu [shift] + [crtl] + [F]
* tun off the fill, and turn on the stoke.
* Go to the stroke style tab and change the width to 0.01 mm
 
 
'''If you use text make sure the font is outlined and joined for a nice result.'''
 
* You can change this by fist selecting your artwork [ctrl] + [A]
* Then send the text object to path by [shift] + [ctrl] + [C]
* Make sure you shapes are not grouped by [shift] + [ctrl] + [G]
* Join the letter together by union [shift] + [ctrl] + [+]
 
 
 




Latest revision as of 18:58, 22 April 2016

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inkscape screenshot overview



inkscape is open source program and free to download ːhttp://www.inkscape.org


instruction

This is a short beginners tutorial to explain how to turn a image into a vector PDF, ready to vinyl or laser cutting.


set document size

1. Go to menu > file > document properties.



2. Change the width and height to your preference.



And close this window.


copy&paste image

3. Find a black&white image on google. Right click to copy the image.

(if your image is a PNG istead of Jpeg, then first save the file to the desktop, and in inkscape go to the menu > file > import)



4. Go back to inkscape, right click and to paste.



5. Re-size the image to fit in the page. Hold the [CTRL] key down to keep the image in proportion.


change image to vector

6. select you image and go to the menu > path > trace bitmap



7. In this window, click on update then on ok. (it can happen that the preview will no respond after clicking on update)

(if you want to know more about this menu ː watch this video)


8. A copy should have appeared over the image. Pick it up and drag it to the side.

You can now delete the (original) image (select > right mouse button > delete) and keep the vector (copy).


editing your design

9. optionalː To make changes to the vectorː select the edit mouse from the toolbar and click on the shape.

The little squares that now appear (called nodes) can be dragged around to where ever you like.



cleaning up

10. optionalː how to remove many details quickly, like all highlighted yellow area's of this example, .

Select your design, and in the menu go to path > break apart.

The image should break apart in a lots of little parts. Notice that the eye's turn black (this will be fixed later).

If it does not work, check if your design is not a group (menu > object > ungroup).



12. optionalː if it is hard to see what you are doing, you can temporary tun you design to lines instead of colored fills.

Select you whole design and go to menu > object > fill&stroke.


13. You can now select the bits you want to delete, and clean up the design.

When done, select everything and go to menu > path > combine. That should fix the eye's again.



set file&stroke

14. before we save the file,

Select your design and go to menu > object > fill and stroke.


  • for cutting shapes: turn off fill, turn on stroke, set it to 255 red, and set the stroke style to 0.02 mm
  • For engraving keep the fill on and set it to black, and turn the stroke off.



15. if you notice that objects need to be joined, first make sure it is not a group (menu > object > ungroup)


save file as...

15. Go to the menu and choose file > save as...

Navigate to the desktop > choose either vinylcutter or lasercutter folder.


Type in a descriptive file name, and select PDF as file format. Then hit the save button.



3. In this window the resolution to 600. And you need to choose if you want to export as drawing or as page.


- Exporting as drawing: will mean you document size will be cropped to the size of your drawing. (It will ignore your document properties setting.)

- Exporting as page: will mean it will export your document properties settings. So you're drawing is drawn over the edge of the page, it will get cut off.




recommended YouTube's


Links

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