If I create e.g. a circle and go to 'Object Properties' then why is there no basic information about this object? (e.g. radius, coordinates of the center, line width, etc...)
Sorry, I have no idea what you mean with 'the select tool controls'.
There is an online guide but there is no search function and I didn't see any 'tool controls' or 'select tool' in the index.
If I have to use an editor to find out the properties of an object then I don't need Inkscape. It would probably easier to edit the SVG file directly (for small SVG files).
Every tool in Inkscape has controls above the top ruler. The select tool is the pointy one at the top of the toolbox. Its controls include object X and Y location, H and W, and more.
The XML editor is a dialog within Inkscape to modify the svg XML using text instead of the GUI. (Ctrl+Shift+X)
OK, I can change the width, the height and the position of e.g. a circle using the controls of the select tool. But how do I change the line width?
Object > Fill and Stroke only applies to new objects, it doesn't change an existing object. Wait... I have to select a Stroke Paint first otherwise any changes to the Width is not accepted.
BTW: why are the X an Y coordinates (controls of the select tool) of the left bottom corner of the bounding box of a circle and not the center? Is it possible to change the circle tool (or have a different circle tool) so that I can click where the center of a circle should be?
BTW: I can use the circle tool to select the center of a circle and move it. Nice but I didn't expect this at all. I expected having to use the select tool to select and move an object.
How do I (temporary) disable snapping (to the grid) and have the grid visible at the same time?
OK, I can change the width, the height and the position of e.g. a circle using the controls of the select tool. But how do I change the line width?
Fill and Stroke can be adjusted in the lower left corner of the status bar and via the Fill & Stroke dialog... stroke style includes width, markers, dashes and more.
Object > Fill and Stroke only applies to new objects, it doesn't change an existing object. Wait... I have to select a Stroke Paint first otherwise any changes to the Width is not accepted.
Fill and stroke can be applied to tools that create objects, and to selected objects. The above reply covers much of the rest.
BTW: why are the X an Y coordinates (controls of the select tool) of the left bottom corner of the bounding box of a circle and not the center? Is it possible to change the circle tool (or have a different circle tool) so that I can click where the center of a circle should be?
Object coordinates & anchor-points are based on the SCG specification (Inkscape is a native SVG editing platform).
A circle or ellipse can be created from its center by holding Ctrl+Shift before dragging with the tool.
BTW: I can use the circle tool to select the center of a circle and move it. Nice but I didn't expect this at all. I expected having to use the select tool to select and move an object.
Shapes are geometric primitives that have their own tools and architecture, and can have behavior that path objects will not have.
Beginners' Questions Object properties
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If I create e.g. a circle and go to 'Object Properties' then why is there no basic information about this object? (e.g. radius, coordinates of the center, line width, etc...)
There is just an ID and a Label
Any suggestions?
TIA
I'd check the select tool controls at the top of the screen and the Status bar info area at the bottom.
For addn'l info hover the measure tool over the object.
If you want to see all the grimy details of svg shapes, open the XML Editor [shift+ctrl+x].
Sorry, I have no idea what you mean with 'the select tool controls'.
There is an online guide but there is no search function and I didn't see any 'tool controls' or 'select tool' in the index.
If I have to use an editor to find out the properties of an object then I don't need Inkscape. It would probably easier to edit the SVG file directly (for small SVG files).
Every tool in Inkscape has controls above the top ruler. The select tool is the pointy one at the top of the toolbox. Its controls include object X and Y location, H and W, and more.
The XML editor is a dialog within Inkscape to modify the svg XML using text instead of the GUI. (Ctrl+Shift+X)
More details here: http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/Anatomy.html
I recommend reading through the built-in tutorials, starting with [Help > Tutorials > Inkscape: Basic].
As per Tyler:
OK, I can change the width, the height and the position of e.g. a circle using the controls of the select tool. But how do I change the line width?
Object > Fill and Stroke only applies to new objects, it doesn't change an existing object. Wait... I have to select a Stroke Paint first otherwise any changes to the Width is not accepted.
BTW: why are the X an Y coordinates (controls of the select tool) of the left bottom corner of the bounding box of a circle and not the center? Is it possible to change the circle tool (or have a different circle tool) so that I can click where the center of a circle should be?
BTW: I can use the circle tool to select the center of a circle and move it. Nice but I didn't expect this at all. I expected having to use the select tool to select and move an object.
How do I (temporary) disable snapping (to the grid) and have the grid visible at the same time?
Anyway, thanks for your patience.
Fill and Stroke can be adjusted in the lower left corner of the status bar and via the Fill & Stroke dialog... stroke style includes width, markers, dashes and more.
Fill and stroke can be applied to tools that create objects, and to selected objects. The above reply covers much of the rest.
Object coordinates & anchor-points are based on the SCG specification (Inkscape is a native SVG editing platform).
A circle or ellipse can be created from its center by holding Ctrl+Shift before dragging with the tool.
Shapes are geometric primitives that have their own tools and architecture, and can have behavior that path objects will not have.
The % key toggles all snapping on/off. While dragging, holding the Shift key will disable snapping.
Almost all of this info is covered in the manual: http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/index.php
As mentioned, Inkscape's Help menu Tutorials are a good way to get familiar with the basics.