====== Inkscape ======

[[http://inkscape.org|Inkscape]] is a rich and robust vector illustration programme. It can create and edit ''svg'' and ''eps'' (among others) files, and is both powerful and intuitive.

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===== Strengths [Weaknesses] =====
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**Powerful**

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Inkscape is a professional-grade illustration programme for vector-based imaging, and can be used for layout and graphic design. It has been used for icon design, game assets, printed matter, and much more.
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**Intuitive**

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In spite of being a complex and professional design application, Inkscape is actually very intuitive. The initial learning curve has more to do with an illustrator's adjustment to drawing with vectors than with the tools.
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**Vector**

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By drawing with vectors, you are drawing independent of resolution, meaning that your art can losslessly be scaled up or down infinitely (not really infinitely, but theoretically).
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===== Weaknesses [Strengths] =====
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**Vectors**

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If you are a freehand illustrator and have never worked with vector tools before, Inkscape (and any vector illustration programme) will be frustrating. 
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=====Install=====

Inkscape is part of the default Slackermedia queu file. If you did not install it, do so from [[http://slackbuilds.org]].

=====Usage=====

[[krita|Krita]] and [[mypaint|Mypaint]] are bitmap applications. This is pretty standard for material emulation programmes, but it can be restrictive as it does not scale well. Vector drawings are infinitely scalable since the shapes that you draw in them are rendered, not mapped. Every time you load a vector image, or zoom in or out of it, every line and node is recalculated and re-drawn. While vector drawings are not the best way to digitally paint if you are seeking the most realistic experience possible, but it's essential for iconography, font design, or designing for several different mediums of different sizes.

Using vectors for drawing is a substantially different process than "the usual" digital painting that you might be used to. It tends to "feel" more calculated, but luckily Inkscape has ways to do all of those bothersome calculations after the fact if you prefer. You may //never// get comfortable with raw vector drawing, but Inkscape can also be used to trace hand-drawn images to "vectorise" them, so there still may be a use case for you.

There are many tools in Inkscape but the most common ones are the **Draw Bezier** tool, **Draw Freehand** tool, and the **Edit Paths** tool. These are located along the left side of the Inkscape window.

Your method is entirely up to you. One common drawing method is to do a rough trace of your image with the **Bezier tool** ''shift'' ''b'' and then go in with an **Edit Path** (''F2'') tool and adjust the lines that you have drawn, providing them with curves and adjustments as needed.

Another useful method is to use the **Draw Freehand** (''F6'') tool to draw or trace wih either your mouse or [[wacom|tablet]]. This produces paths with far too many nodes, because Inkscape takes constant samples as you draw. Once your paths are finished, press ''ctrl'' ''L'' to **Simplify Paths**. This removes redundant nodes, having the effect of smoothing your lines and dramatically lessening the number of calculations that your computer must do in order to render your drawing.

Of course, the standard principles for fills and strokes apply. These are all accessed via the **Fill and Stroke** pallette (''ctrl'' ''shift'' ''f''). Like any vector illustration application, you can set colours for fill and strokes, and even apply stroke styles and effects.

====Tracing====

Some people prefer to draw on paper and then scan their art in for tracing. If you want to do this, you don't need an expensive scanner. In fact, a quick webcam snapshot is fine. 

To import a sketch, launch Inkscape and select **File** → **Import** and bring in the scan. When bringing in an image to trace, you are free to either **embed** or **link**; generally, it's safe to link. This way, when you're done tracing, you can delete the image and save on file size. The down side to linking is that if the picture for some reason moves or is deleted before you've finished tracing, the image will disappear from Inkscape.

=====Documentation=====

Inkscape is available for all platforms and is quite popular, so documentation and tutorials online are prevalent. Years ago, HeathenX and Richard Querin produced a hundred quintessential tutorials and posted them online at screencasters.heathenx.org. While these videos were for older versions of Inkscape, they are still surprisingly relevant and are mirrored at  [[http://slackermedia.info/inkscape]] for viewing.

There are several books on Inkscape available for purchase from online bookstores.

The more you use it, the more powerful it becomes, and if you do any graphic work at all, you'll probably find it a lynchpin of your workflow.

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**See Also** \\
[[mypaint|MyPaint]] \\
[[krita|Krita]] \\
[[gimp|GIMP]]
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