Hey!
Abbi Kirsten,
here, cheering you on!
Read through the most
common Inkscape
terms below to
understand their
importance and
function.
INKSCAPE Note: Mac users will replace
KEY TERMS DEFINED any CTRL keys with CMD
1 Align
When two or more items are selected on the canvas, this function aligns
them according to the selection of center, left, right, top, bottom, etc.
Open the Align Panel by holding Shift + Ctrl + A
2 Arranging Selection
Arranging an image allows you to move it in front of, behind, or in
between other image layers present on the canvas. Arranging is present
in the top edit menu.
3 Break Apart
Break Apart any selected object that has two or more ununited pieces
present. Hold Shift + Ctrl + K to perform this action or go to Path > Break
Apart
4 Center Screen
Move your document box to the center of the screen. I recommend
aiming to work on the document box from the start to avoid re-
centering as much as possible. The item is located on the top toolbar in
the center. It may also appear on the right-hand side.
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5 Cherry-pick Selections
Select only specific objects or layers by holding your shift key while
clicking the item you wish to cherry-pick for your selection.
6 Clipping
Clipping is used to cut out a shape from a PNG or Jpeg image. It can
also be used with repeating patterns. Find under Object > Clipping.
7 Color bar
The color bar, which runs along the bottom of Inkscape, gives you
preset colors to choose from. Scroll left or right to move through the
colors. See Fill for custom color choices.
8 Delete
Remove any image or object from your Inkscape canvas by using the
delete or backspace key on your keyboard.
9 Deselect an Object
To deselect any image click anywhere on the blank Inkscape
canvas.
10 Difference
Subtract the difference of two images to create a sliced result.
Located under Path > Difference.
11 Distribute
Under the Align panel (Shift + Ctrl+ A) you can also find tools to
distribute items equal distances from each other.
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12 Division
Divide any two images on the canvas to create an additional shape.
Find under Path > Division
13 Document Properties
Always have your Doc Properties set to Letter size, X scale of 1.
Make sure to resize your page to the content before saving! Shift
+ Ctrl + D. Find under File > Doc Properties.
14 Dropper Tool
Located in the Fill and Stroke Panel your dropper tool lets you
pick a color from an existing image. Open Fill and Stroke by
holding Shift + Ctrl +F
15 Duplicate an Object
Duplicate an exact copy of any image by selecting and holding
Ctrl+D on your keyboard. You can also go to Edit > Duplicate or
right-click > Duplicate. Move the duplicate copy from the top of the
original image.
16 Exclusion
Exclusion subtract two intersecting images where they overlap.
Find under Path > Exclusion.
17 Export an Image
To export Flattened PNG images open your Export panel by
holding Shift+Ctrl+E. Make sure Selection is always the selected
value at the top.
18 Fill Object with Color
To fill or change the color of any object open your Fill and Stroke
panel by holding Shift+Ctrl+F. Us the Color Wheel to customize your
preferred shade.
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19 Font Selection
When the Text tool is selected and your text is highlighted on the
canvas choose your font from the dropdown menu at the left of
the top tool bar.
20 Grouping
Group command enables multiple image layers present on the
canvas to be moved, at one time, as one object, so as not to affect
their layout.
21 Help
At the top of the edit menu Inkscape has their own Help guides
that are worth checking out.
22 History
See all your edit history by holding Shift+Ctrl+H. This allows you to
go back several steps if needed.
23 Image Size
The height and width of your image is available at the top edit
menu. Adjust your size by typing in number values and hitting
enter.
24 Import Image
Import an image to trace by selecting File>Import or drag and
drop the image onto the Inkscape canvas from your desktop.
25 Inkscape Template
Templates are the saved formats of your documents. To edit or
view your templates click File>New from Templates
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26 Intersection
Cut out the intersecting shape of two overlapping pieces. Find
under Path>Intersection.
27 Linked Offset
Create an outline around any image with an offset. To access
click Path>Linked Offset and drag the top node up to increase
the size of the offset.
28 Lock
Use the lock icon between the Height and Width in the top edit
menu to keep your proportions equal when scaling your images.
29 Mirroring
Mirror objects 180 degrees by using the arrow tools to rotate
vertically and horizontally.
30 Move an Object
Use your cursor to select any object and hold as you drag around
the canvas.
31 Multiple Selections
Select more than one image on the screen by clicking and
dragging the selection box over the objects.
32 New Document
Open a new document by holding Ctrl+N or go to File>New.
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33 Nodes Tool
Nodes are points on a line that make up any vector shape in
Inkscape - like pearls on a string. Nodes are how we shape and edit
any design. To edit nodes click the Nodes Tool - second option
down in your left toolbox or press N on your keyboard.
34 Node - Adding
When the nodes tool is select add a new node by double clicking
on the line. You can also click once and then select the Add Node
button on the top left.
35 Node - Deleting
To remove a node click the node and press your delete key or
36 Nodes - Corner
the Delete Node button at the top left.
Make Node a Corner using the corner node tool.
37 Nodes - Symmetric
To add handles and curves to your shape select the Make Node
Symmetric button or pull at the space between two nodes to
curve the line.
38 Nodes - Selected Segments Curves
To curve the line between two nodes select two node points by
clicking and dragging. Once the two nodes are selected click the
Segment Curves option in the nodes menu.
39 Nodes - Selected Segments Lines
To straighten the line between two nodes select two node points
by clicking and dragging. Once the two nodes are selected click
the Segment Lines option in the nodes menu.
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40 Object Properties
Directly below the Color Bar you can view the info properties of any
selected object on your canvas. Such as is your item a shape, path,
image, grouped, ungrouped, etc.
41 Object to Path
Probably the most important function in Inkscape - converting an
object to a path. Always use Shift+Ctrl+C to make paths from shapes
and text designs. Find it also under Path > Object to Path.
42 Paint Bucket
Paint Bucket tool allows you to fill bounded areas with color that
can be used as a shape and edited by nodes. Find the Paint
Bucket at the bottom of your toolbox to the left.
43 Pen/Bezier tool
Bezier tool lets you draw paths by nodes. Any time this tool is
selected one click on your screen equals one node point. Access
bezier tool by clicking B on your keyboard or find it halfway down
the toolbox.
44 Redo
The green arrow at the top toolbar allows you to redo a recently
undone action. You can also hold Shift+Ctrl+Z
45 Rotate
Rotate any image by click once then a second time to reveal
rotation handles. Click, hold and drag the shape to the rotation you
desire.
46 Rotating 90-degrees
Rotate any object 90 degrees in one-click with the arrows in the
top toolbar.
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47 Save a Printable PDF
Save flattened printable PDF file by clicking File>Save
As>Portable Doc Format (PDF). Note: PDF saving is for printing
ONLY - they will not work with cutting software.
48 Save an SVG
To save an SVG file click File>Save As>Inkscape SVG (this is the
natural default).
49 Scale
Scale an object by clicking on it once. Click, hold and drag the
arrow handle at one of the corners of the bound box to increase or
decrease the size.
50 Scrollbars
The bottom and right side of the canvas features scroll bars that
help you move around your screen.
51 Select Same
To select all objects with matching colors click Edit>Select
Same>Fill Color.
52 Select an object
Click and drag your cursor to select any object or click directly
inside the image.
53 Shapes
Draw basic shapes such as squares, circles, polygons, and stars
by using the shapes tools in the toolbox to the left. Click and
drag your cursor to draw the shape of your choosing.
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54 Simplify
Simplify the number of nodes on a image by selecting
Path>Simplify.
55 Sizing an object
Size any object or image by typing in exact values into the edit
menu at the top.
56 Snapping
To help precisely place objects on the canvas, an object can be
made to snap to a target. The target can be a point on another
object or a grid.
57 Snapping Off
Snapping helps you perfectly align objects. It can be frustrating at
times when you need to have total control. At the far top left, you
can turn Snapping on and off. This tool may also appear along the
top.
58 Stretch
Stretching any object can be done by leaving the lock icon in the
top edit menu unlocked during scaling.
59 Stroke
Stroke is the outline around your image. To add stroke open your Fill
and Stroke panel (Shift+Ctrl+F) and toggle to Stroke next to Fill.
60 Stroke Style
Located next to Stroke, Stroke style is how you increase or
decrease the thickness of the stroke. You can also use the
dropdown option to change the solid line to dashes or dots.
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61 Stroke to path
To convert the outline around your image (the stroke) to a path
go to Path>Stroke to Path or Ctrl+Alt+C
62 Text
Add text to your canvas using the Text Tool in your toolbox to the
left. Keyboard shorthand is the letter T.
63 Text Size
With the Text Tool selected, increase or decrease the size of
your font. You can also scale your font with your selection tool
as with any shape.
64 Text Alignment
Align your text right, center or left using the align dropdown in
the text edit menu visible when text is highlighted.
65 Text to Path
To flow text to a frame or around a shape use the Put on Path
operation in the top most menu. Text>Put on Path.
66 Tracing an Image
Any Jpeg or PNG image imported or copied into Inkscape is a
bitmap. To convert a bitmap to a vector graphic hold
Shift+Alt+B or Path>Trace Bitmap.
67 Undo
Undo any recent action in Inkscape with the yellow Undo button
in the top edit menu. Keyboard shorthand is Ctrl+Z.
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68 Ungrouping
Ungroup allows you to separate any previously grouped images
so they can be moved freely from one another. Ungrouping must
always be undone before you proceed with Union or other path
operations.
69 Union
Unite two or more paths into one path or seamless shape. Select
Path>Union. This function is much like Weld in cutting softwares.
70 Zoom
Pinch your fingers on your mouse pad to move in and out on the
screen. If this is not an option then use the Zoom magnified glass
near the bottom of your Toolbox to the left. Once Zoom is selected
click the + and - icons at the top far left to move in and out.
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ABOUT ABBI
Hi! I'm Abbi!
"When I am not crafting
rainbows of color in my
studio, you can probably
find me designing SVG files
and printables on my couch
while cuddling with my two
kids, husband, and Corgi,
Shorty plus our new puppy
Macy, a golden retriever.
My bucket of creative ideas
is always overflowing, and
spreading the joy of crafting
is truly why I love what I
do!"
Follow
Abbi Kirsten Collections had an unexpected start back in 2015 after
Abbi's personal projects went viral. Since then, the blog has blossomed
into one of the most sought after craft blogs around the web.
With no shortage of colorful crafts and creative ideas to spark
inspiration, readers return again and again for more. Abbi has set out
to build a site that nurtures the creative magic inside everyone,
whether pro or beginner!
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