Inkscape/Introduction
From Wikibooks, the open-content textbooks collection
[edit] Vector graphics
A vector image is an image composed by path and geometrical elements, all editable and easily scalable. This is very different from raster (or bitmap) images, which are created from a grid of colored squares. Bitmaps suffer from "pixellation" when scaled larger, while vectors can be scaled to any size, and won't suffer any degradation in quality.
Some graphics programs, such as the GIMP, are bitmap editors. Inkscape is a vector editor. With Inkscape, you can create and edit vector graphics, and save them as SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) files. SVG is an open standard designed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), that uses XML to create images.
[edit] The Layout
When you load inkscape you will see the following:
.png)
Here are some quick explanations of what each button does:
Select and Transform Objects (F1):
From this option, you can, select, move, scale, rotate, and skew objects
Edit Path nodes or control handles (F2)
This tool is designed for manipulating the geometry of objects
Zoom in or Out(F3)
Allows you to access a wide set of zoom operations
Create Rectangles or Squares(F4)
A tool for creating and manipulating rectangles, squares, circles, and ellipses
