Things you can do with Inkscape

[RyanShort]

Ok, so I've got a few more guys into Inkscape - a free vector-based editor that is pretty powerful for graphics. This thread is for you to post useful things you learn with the program that might help your fellow paper modelers.

My first contribution:

Trace Bitmap

To do this you first ought to have a higher quality bitmap image - that you want to be able to scale up or down without losing quality.

First you import the bitmap (or .jpg or .png, etc...) using File>Import.

Then, you select the bitmap with your normal selection tool and go to Path>Trace Bitmap.

From there you will see a number of options that you can play with to try and convert your bitmap to a vector image.

This is especially useful for bitmap images that have only a few colors - such as insignia. It then is very easy to edit, copy, move, rotate, and scale the insignia into place.

Ryan

P.S. FYI - it looks like Inkscape 0.47 will be out very soon with some new features and such. I keep up with the latest version of Inkscape and Gimp (especially with GIMP plugins) and both programs are progressing nicely.

[PModel Rookie]

I love inkscape because inkscape made recoloring easy.I made a JTL Boeing 737-400 into a Malaysian Airlines colour with ease.Currently,I'm still turning a JAL Boeing 747-400 into Malaysian Airlines colour.Tell ya,it's one hell of a program!Love it!

[RyanShort]

Ok, here's a first attempt at a tutorial.

Inkscape tutorial #1 for www.papermodelers.com on Vimeo

Are we able to embed videos here?

Ryan

[John Bowden]

On the vid........... if you click and highlight all three of the sections of the "K" at the same time and press "Ctl + G" it will make one object of the three legs of the K

Also on rounded objects you can draw a straigh line with two vector nodes......... beginning and end. then you can use the "edit path nodes" button (right under the select objects button) and drag the line to follow the curve path you'd like.

john

[RyanShort]

Originally Posted by John Bowden

On the vid........... if you click and highlight all three of the sections of the "K" at the same time and press "Ctl + G" it will make one object of the three legs of the K

john

That makes a group... and preserves the individual paths as part of the group - very useful if you want to edit a specific detailed portion. In this case we didn't want a group, but one single path.

Ryan

[John Bowden]

Sorry......... I see what you mean now.:o

[RyanShort]

Hmmm. Looks like the version I uploaded didn't have the audio it was supposed to. I'm trying again. I'll post it here when I've got it right.

Ryan

[RyanShort]

In the meantime, here's a link to an old tutorial I did.
Lbirds.com - Special Tutorial for Modellers

Ryan

[RyanShort]

Ok, sorry that the first one didn't work right. I figured out something new about my video editor in the process!

Here's the tutorial above (link no longer valid) with sound...

http://vimeo.com/6187720

If you like it please leave a comment.

Ryan

[B-Manic]

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