Creating vector graphics using Inkscape
Perfect lines
The Inkscape vector graphics tool replaces expensive commercial solutions such as Adobe Illustrator. This article shows how to get started with Inkscape.
You may have taken a photo with a digital camera which, at first, seemed sharply printed, but when enlarged seemed blurry and "mushy" in places. If so, you have stumbled across a fundamental problem of digital graphic processing: Pixel graphics can be shrunk almost arbitrarily, but they can only be enlarged to a certain degree: Where no more material is available in the original photo, the software must "add" pixels, but this only works to a limited extent, and the result is not like the original photo.
This problem can be solved using vector graphics. In Linux, you can use the Inkscape program [1] to create vector graphics yourself. However, starting to use this rather complex application is not very easy. In this article, I explain the first steps of using Inkscape.
Digital Resolution
Digital photos and graphics are not just a specific resolution, the point density, which is specified as the number of dots per inch (dpi), is also important. The higher the dpi, the finer and sharper the graphic. The combination of resolution and density determines the context in which an image file can be scaled. The higher the resolution and dpi number, the less a graphics program has to "invent" when projecting and the more the graphic can be scaled; 300 dpi is the basic requirement for high-quality printing.
Today, increasingly higher resolutions are easing the problem with digital photos; however, the same still applies to digital graphics. Think of a presentation that is supposed to run on a projector with 720p or 1080p resolution: Photos you want to incorporate there must offer at least full-HD resolution. The same applies to graphics; otherwise, you'll see only a mash of pixels.
Graphics as a Formula
Vector graphics work fundamentally differently than pixel graphics: A vector graphic virtually describes the construction of the image and the ratio of the individual picture elements to each other. A vector graphic instruction could therefore read that a black line at the bottom of the image is occupying the entire width. When representing the graphic, the display program interprets this information and then displays the line accordingly. The line therefore always appears neat and high resolution.
Because a vector graphic describes all elements in this way and also defines the relationship of objects to each other, a complete graphic can be portrayed using mathematical formulae. It scales easily – on a smartphone screen or a meter-wide projection screen.
The Beginning …
Inkscape, which, like Firefox, Gimp, or LibreOffice, is regarded as one of the crown jewels of free software, can be found in the repositories of all major distributions. If it has not already been set up during the system installation, you do this easily using the respective package management system; the corresponding package is almost always called inkscape. Then, you will find an entry for the vector graphics program – which you can use to get Inkscape on the screen – in the start menu of the respective desktop.
At first glance, the Inkscape interface very much resembles pixel graphics applications like Gimp. In fact, some tools in Inkscape have similar functions to their counterparts in other tools. Do not be fooled, however; creating vector graphics is quite different from working with pixel images.
The work area takes up the majority of the Inkscape window, shown as a white sheet. Rulers on the sides show its dimensions. At the top are a few other toolbars next to a classic quick-start bar. You can access all important tools via the toolbar on the left edge of the window, as well as the path tool and some helpers that conjure up prefabricated forms in the Inkscape graphics. Working with paths in the context of vector graphics is rudimentary – so take your time to understand the underlying principle.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.
-
ZorinOS 17.1 Released, Includes Improved Windows App Support
If you need or desire to run Windows applications on Linux, there's one distribution intent on making that easier for you and its new release further improves that feature.
-
Linux Market Share Surpasses 4% for the First Time
Look out Windows and macOS, Linux is on the rise and has even topped ChromeOS to become the fourth most widely used OS around the globe.
-
KDE’s Plasma 6 Officially Available
KDE’s Plasma 6.0 "Megarelease" has happened, and it's brimming with new features, polish, and performance.
-
Latest Version of Tails Unleashed
Tails 6.0 is based on Debian 12 and includes GNOME 43.
-
KDE Announces New Slimbook V with Plenty of Power and KDE’s Plasma 6
If you're a fan of KDE Plasma, you'll be thrilled to hear they've announced a new Slimbook with an AMD CPU and the latest version of KDE Plasma desktop.
-
Monthly Sponsorship Includes Early Access to elementary OS 8
If you want to get a glimpse of what's in the pipeline for elementary OS 8, just set up a monthly sponsorship to help fund its continued existence.
-
DebConf24 to be Held in South Korea
Busan will be the location of the latest DebConf running July 28 through August 4
-
Fedora Unleashes Atomic Desktops
Fedora has combined its solid distribution with rpm-ostree system to make it possible to deliver a new family of Fedora spins, called Fedora Atomic Desktops.
-
Bootloader Vulnerability Affects Nearly All Linux Distributions
The developers of shim have released a version to fix numerous security flaws, including one that could enable remote control execution of malicious code under certain circumstances.