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Homeschool Spark/Inkscape Adventure - Learn Vector Graphics
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Inkscape Adventure - Learn Vector Graphics

Learn Inkscape with detailed instruction. Perfect your skills by creating fun projects.
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Course Description

This course gives you the best of both worlds - thorough step-by-step instruction on Inkscape's tools and features as well as hands-on, practical assignments for you to complete.

The course culminates with a fun major project - the creation of a colorful layout for a fictional board game. This project is approached one element at a time with students creating their own version of the design.

While the pen and node tools are the most important to master, as they are the heart of vector graphics; every tool in the Inkscape toolbar is covered in this course. 

Inkscape was designed to create scalable vector graphics. These images may be used for print, web design, social media, game characters, animation frames, and so forth. The skills acquired learning Inkscape will be useful even if you eventually transition to another vector graphics program such as Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw.

** Updated 12/27/2019 to include information about the 0.92.4 update of Inkscape

Contents

Section 1: Introduction to The Inkscape Adventure Course

Installing Inkscape (Windows)
Preview

Section 2: The Inkscape Interface

The Inkscape Interface
Preview
Course Outline & Assignments (PDF)
Inkscape Update Videos
Preview

Section 3: Inkscape Documents

Working With Documents in Inkscape

Section 4: Basic Inkscape Operations

Basic Inkscape Operations
Basic Shapes Fills & Strokes

Section 5: Inkscape Layers

Inkscape Layers

Section 6: Stay Organized With the Objects and Layers Panels

Grouping Objects in Inkscape Demonstrated Through the House Assignment
House Assignment Part 2

Section 7: More Shape Tools

The Ellipse Tool
The Star Tool
The Shapes Assignment

Section 8: Save As and Export

Save As PDF and Export to PNG Files

Section 9: Converting Shapes to Paths

Shapes to Paths and Introduction to the Node Tool

Section 10: Aligning Things

The snapping toolbar, guides, and grids

Section 11: Align and Distribute

Using the Align and Distribute Dialog/Panel

Section 12: Inkscape's Pencil Tool

Intro to the Pencil Tool
Smoothing Pencil Strokes, Pencil Tool Modes
Pencil Tool Shapes
Pencil Stroke Styles, Ctrl Click Dots, Tweak Tool Jitter Colors
Cupcake Assignment Using the Pencil Tool
Drawing Tablet Review (XP Pen Deco 03)

Section 13: The Calligraphy Tool

Inkscape's Calligraphy Tool
Tracing Lines With the Calligraphy Tool, Assignment Overview

Section 14: Inkscape's Text Features

The Text Tool
Converting Text to Paths
Text Options (Kerning, Spacing, Rotation, etc.)
Using a Symbol Font

Section 15: The Pen/Path Tool

Introduction to the Pen Tool
Preview
Node Types and Conversions

Section 16: Path Geometry (Operations like Union, Difference...)

Path Operations
Create a Leaf and Butterfly Using Path Geometry
Create a Cookie Cutout and Wrench Using Path Geometry

Section 17: Bitmap Images in Inkscape

Importing Bitmap Images
Embedding vs. Linking Bitmaps, Using an External Bitmap Editor
Auto Bitmap Trace, Create a Vector Version of a Bitmap

Section 18: Manual Bitmap Trace

Trace a Clipart-style Monkey Using the Pen/Path Tool
Complete the Trace of the Monkey

Section 19: Object Clipping

How to Clip Objects Including Shapes, Bitmaps, and Text

Section 20: Object Masking

Mask Objects Using White, Black, Various Grays, and a Gradient.

Section 21: Remaining Tools and/or New Tool Features

Eye Dropper Tool and Color Selection
Selector Tool Features and Options
Copy and Paste Attributes and Styles
Fill and Stroke Menus in Status Bar
The Object Transform Panel
The Gradient Tool
Working With Mesh Gradients
Filling With the Paint Bucket Tool
The Spray Tool
The Eraser
3D Box Tool
Additional Text Features
Tweak Tool With a Single Object
Tweak Tool With Multiple Objects
The Symbol Library
Selection Sets
The Measure Tool
The Connector Tool

Section 22: Patterns in Inkscape

Inkscape's Predefined Patterns
Create a Custom Pattern
Pattern Along Path
Create a Seamless/Tiling Pattern

Section 23: Path Offsets

Insetting and Outsetting Shapes
Insetting and Outsetting Text
Image Offsets
Dynamic Linked Offsets

Section 24: Inkscape Clones

Introduction to Cloning
More on Clones - Cloning Clones, Unsetting Colors, Relinking

Section 25: Tiled Clones

Tiled Clones Panel: Symmetry Tab
Tiled Clones: Shift, Scale, Blur
Tiled Clones: Color Tab
Tiled Clones: Trace Tab
Tiled Clone Examples: Ring of Stars
Tiled Clone Examples: Spirograph
Tiled Clone Examples: Spikes

Section 26: Inkscape Filters

Sampling of Inkscape Filters pt. 1
Sampling of Inkscape Filters pt. 2
Sampling of Inkscape Filters pt. 3

Section 27: Inkscape Extensions

Inkscape Extensions pt. 1
Inkscape Extensions pt. 2
Inkscape Extensions pt. 3
Inkscape Extensions pt. 4
Inkscape Extensions pt. 5
Inkscape Extensions pt. 6
Inkscape Extensions pt. 7

Section 28: Live Path Effects

LPE: Pattern Along Path and Sketch
LPE: Envelope Deform and Hatches
LPE: Bend, Grid, and Gears
LPE: Power Stroke

Section 29: Final Project: Inkscape Adventure Game Board

Game Board Project Overview
Preview
Setting Up for the Project
Create the Ground and Sky
A Cloudy Day
Some Tall Blades of Grass
Add the Game Path
Complete the Game Path With Numbers and Dividing Lines
Bee-utiful - Start the Bee
The Bee Needs a Head
The Bee's Face
What's a Bee Without Wings?
Final Touches for Mr. Bee
The Butterfly Comes Next
Butterfly Wings
Next, an arachnid, Mr. Spider
Finishing Up Mr. Spider
An Appealing Ant
Final Touches for Mrs. Ant
Little Ladybug
Mr. Slowpoke Snail
The Rest of the Snail
Flower 1 (Purple) Using Tiled Clones
Flower 2 (Pink)
Flower 3 (Blue)
Flower 4 (Yellow)
Adding Bushes
Some Clumps of Grass
Stony Ground
Bouquet of Tiny Flowers
Exporting Your Masterpiece!

Section 30: Inkscape 0.92 Updates

Information about changes or new features in Inkscape updates.
Inkscape Update 0.92.4 Align and Distribute Changes
Inkscape Update 1 Toolbar and Changeable Themes
Inkscape Update 1 Docking Dialogs, Rotating the Canvas, Zoom Options
Inkscape Update 1 Color Palette, Split View, and X-Ray Modes
Inkscape Update 1 Stroke to Path, Glyphs, Select Sets Removed
Inkscape Update 1 Align Objects on Canvas
Inkscape Update 1 Color Fonts, Shifting the Grid Alignment
Inkscape Update 1 New PNG Export Options
Inkscape Update 1 Text Flow into Multiple Objects in Object Order
Inkscape Update 1 Pressure Sensitive Pencil, Live Path Effects

Inkscape 1.1 Updates

Welcome Dialog Operations
Interface Changes Dialog Tabs and Positioning and More...
Slicing Objects Using Slice Path Effect
Additional Export File Formats - JPG TIFF WEBP
Extension Manager (Early Development Phase)