helpful – Cathy Greunke

I have been spending a large portion of my weekend learning how to use Inkscape, a free and open-source vector graphics editor. So, here are some useful bookmarks on some of the lessons learned.

Creating Patterns in Inkscape
Erase / Cut Out From Objects – Inkscape Beginners’ Guide ep25
How to Erase in Inkscape
How to Crop in Inkscape
how to make simple cup in inkscape
[solved] How to select transparent objects?
Inkscape: How to Trace Bitmap
Inkscape: remove stroke preserve size/shape
Inkscape Tutorial: Vector Image Trace
Path Difference Problem – This one is linked specifically to remind me of the following: “First, you must have paths to work with, not objects. Not groups either. Then the path that will be subracted must be on top (in z-order) of the path from which it will be removed (bottom minus top, if you will). Both paths should be selected, of course, before performing the operation.

And when you click difference (or keystroke), look at the status/info area at the bottom of the window. I it will give you some helpful information about what’s happening (or not happening).”

Quick Tip: What are Clipping and Masking in Inkscape?

The result of the weekend’s efforts is my latest T-shirt design:

UPDATE 12/08/2017 1:40PM – I will add new bookmarks as I come across them.

For my recent snowman idea, I was thinking of having the words “Happy Holidays” appear arched over the head. I decided against it in the end, but I learned the process involved in getting it done in GIMP nonetheless, as well as a couple of mistakes to avoid.

1. Use the Path tool.

The other sources I found said to get the path first, but the order doesn’t matter so much as making sure you have the right path or layer highlighted for what you’re doing. In any case, that’s where we’ll start for our example.

The path tool:

2. Make the arc.

For the purpose of our example, click on the left lower end of where you want the arc to start and then click on the right lower end of where you want the arc to end. You should have a straight line, or at least straight-ish. Then place the mouse at the middle of where the arc is going to rise. Click and drag the path upward. We now have an arc. You can fiddle with it more in other ways if it’s not quite what you want.

3. Make the text path.

Now that we have our path, I suggest naming it. I named mine, “ArcExample.” Make sure this path stays or is selected in the paths dialog for this next part. Add the desired text and keep it as a separate text layer. Right-click the text layer and select, “Text along path”. Alternatively, you can highlight the text, right-click it there, and pick “Text along path.”