#Inkscape vector image how to

Ink/Stitch can work with all kind of object, but still need text to be converted into object. However, paths can be altered into any shape you like, whereas other types of objects have constraints on their shape. If you drew the same shape as a path instead, you would need to manually move each point in order to add more corners. For example, after drawing a polygon object with the Star Tool, you can use the tool controls to quickly change the number of corners on the shape. Other object types store the information about the shape in more specific way that allows you to change it easily. Once a path has been made, you can only use basic tools to edit it, and it works the same way no matter what the path looks like.

#Inkscape vector image how to

Different tools create different types of objects, which each have different rules about how to work with them.Ī path is the most basic representation of a vector shape: it is just a series of nodes and segments that describes the shape. There are many types of objects in Inkscape, such as paths, rectangles, circles, polygons, spirals, and, text. Knowing how your objects are defined is very important to your embroidery files, so it’s a good idea to keep this window open when working with Ink/Stitch. You can see a list of all the objects in your file by selecting Object > Objects. Objects and PathsĪn object is any piece of your file that you can manipulate individually. to convert it to a path), you must select the object first. In order to use a menu command on an object (e.g.

You can select objects this way no matter what tool is active. in the menu) and click on a name in the list. Learn more about transforming objects here.Īnother way to select objects is to open the Layers and Objects panel ( Object > Layers and Objects. You can also select many objects at once by dragging around them. Hold down Shift to select multiple objects at once.

Clicking the object once shows handles for resizing it, and clicking it a second time switches to handles for rotating it. Click an object with the Select tool to drag it around the canvas and to display handles for transforming it. The top icon in the Toolbox panel is the Select Tool, which you can also activate by pressing F1. Learn more about creating Shapes, Paths, or Text at these links. Each drawing tool has unique options (shown in the Tool Controls bar above the canvas) that you can play around with to get different results. Most of them are used by dragging across the canvas where you want to place the corners of your shape. Inkscape has several tools for creating different kinds of objects, such as the Rectangle Tool ( F4), Ellipse Tool ( F5), Star Tool ( *), Spiral Tool ( F9), Pencil Tool ( F6), and Text Tool ( F8).

The icons along the left side of the window show all the tools for creating and interacting with your design. Read more about how vectors work at Drawing and Selecting The outline of a shape is called the stroke and the area inside a closed shape is called the fill. A shape is open when it has two loose ends that don’t connect (like a spiral or straight line). When you use the other tools, like stretching a shape with the Select Tool, Inkscape is actually editing many nodes at once behind the scenes.Ī vector shape is closed when it makes a complete loop (like a circle or square) and every node connects to two others. You can edit vector shapes by moving the nodes and changing the angles of the segments with the Node Tool, or by using Inkscape’s other tools. They are made up of points called nodes, and segments that connect the nodes. The items inside your Inkscape file are vector images, which use mathematical equations to define shapes.

Basics at - More details on how to manipulate objects.

Interface Tutorial by Roy Torley - Another overview of the interface and navigation.

Anatomy of Inkscape Window at - Diagram of the parts of the Inkscape window.

Basic Tutorial on - Quick overview of common tools and commands.

Several interactive tutorials are available inside Inkscape itself by selecting Help > Tutorials in the menu, including the Basic Tutorial below.

If you have never used Inkscape before, we recommend following an Inkscape tutorial before using Ink/Stitch. These are the basics you should understand in order to use Ink/Stitch.