137
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
''(Generally, this workshop is offered at least once every two weeks on a rotating basis. Check the [http://designandbuildlab.com/?page_id=445/ Lab calendar] for up-to-date availability!)''{{Workshop header}}
beginning of the overhaul of the inkscape wiki
This tutorial will cover the basics of 2-dimensional [[Computer-aided design]] (CAD) using the software Inkscape.
For more tools included in Inkscape not covered in the workshop, visit the wiki page for [[Inkscape (Open Source)|Inkscape]].
==Vectors==
*Snapping panel on right
*Floating windows which can be docked (including Stroke and Fill, Layers, et al.)
==Tools within Inkscape==
===Lines===
*There are '''three''' different ways to draw lines
**The '''freehand tool''' to draw them with a mouse or trackpad
**The '''bezier curve''' tool to draw straight lines then curve them as necessary
**The '''calligraphy pen''' imitates a brush
[[File:Bezier curve tool icon.png|alt=Bezier curve tool icon|thumb|Bezier curve tool icon]][[File:Freehand tool icon.png|alt=freehand tool icon|thumb|freehand tool icon]]
===Shapes===
*There are '''five''' ways to create distinct shapes/patterns
**The '''square/rectangle tool'''
**The '''3-D boxes tool'''
**The '''circular tool'''
**The '''polygon/stars''' '''tool'''
**The '''spiral tool''' [[File:Shape tool .png|alt=shape tools |thumb|Shape tools icons]]
===Miscellaneous tools===
*Here are some other useful tools
**The '''selection tool'''
**The '''node editing tool'''
**The '''sculpting tool'''
**The '''magnification tool'''
**The '''measurement tool'''
**The '''text tool'''[[File:Text tool.png|alt=Text tool |thumb|Text tool ]][[File:Miscellaneous tools .png|alt=Miscellaneous tools|thumb|Miscellaneous tools]]
*Double clicking bottom fill tab or in the right hand side tab
**Additionally, stroke paint can make the stroke style bigger and change the color.
***For example: make the stroke red to cut out shapes on laser cutter
**Plain line is ideal for laser (stroke needs to be 0.025 mm in width)
**For laser cutter engravements the color needs to be black fill
**Outlining a letter would need to be in blue stroke (0.025 mm)
**eraser erases the paths for lines, works with the free hand closed lines
**Bring in pictures into Inkskape, drag it in from google
***Tip: Go for outlines of images to make things easier or something black in white
***Colored pictures are do-able, just not always clear
**Import image, right click, ''Trace Bitmap'', embedded image, check live preview (makes it black and white), change threshold to ensure outline is clear and visible
***Types of Thresholds to change: ''Brightness cutoff'' & ''Edge detection''
**Save images as .svg for laser cutter
**Add layers, change the name of layers, delete layers, hide layers
***In the right-hand side tab
***Change layer by right clicking, ''move to layer''
**Layer names displayed at the bottom
**Generally, don't need to draw in page, you can draw anywhere
**Put two objects together with union
***Top bar, Path, Union
**Snapping is similar to grouping, you can put a star in the corner of where the rectangle meets it automatically goes to the corner
***Enable snapping on the right hand side and it only snaps to boxes <br />
**
==Layers==
Make sure, as with all digital design packages, to save early and save often. You will want to make sure to save as type .SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
==Preparing your designs for CAM==
==Workshop checklist==
===Learning Objectives===
By the end of this Workshop, you should:
#Understand understand what vectors are.#Know know how to resize the canvas and change the default measurement units.#Be able to move elements around the canvas..#Know know how to work with vectors, including how to split and merge them.#Know know how to work with layers.#Be able to snap elements to other elements.#Understand understand and utilize stroke and fill to change the appearance of elements.#Know know how to change the default color system and manipulate the palette. ===Measurable Outcomes===By the end of this Workshop, you should be able to: #create your own vector elements, such as lines and shapes.#move elements around the canvas.#Be able snap elements to other elements.#save your design as a PNG and as a PDF.
