Inkscape for Artists - Step by Step This is a book (or course or textbook) that teaches how to use Inkscape, from the simplest beginner skills through advanced. It teaches in a hands-on manner, with over 100 exercises, or tutorials, that are richly illustrated, and accompanied by 28 videos. Written mostly using version 1.2, it can be used with any later version of Inkscape.
In addition, we maintain a website called Inkscape Friends, to which we periodically post new exercises or tutorials. And in case anyone has questions or comments, or just wants to chat about Inkscape, you can visit Inkscape Friends Forum.
A flashback?! I guess that explains the images in your gallery, hahaha!
Well, this is what I have been doing since I left this forum. Kirstie wrote the book. I just helped make the English smooth and clear. We both worked on the website, and enjoy writing the new tutorials.
Email or message me, if you like. Although really, not much ever changes for me!
I would love, love, love to help write a new Inkscape manual (official and open source, I mean), if anyone else has such an itch.
@brynn holy moly I just found this thread today! You're also interested in writing a new manual??
I'm in the process of writing a new manual for version 1.5: https://inkscape-ltlnx.readthedocs.io/en/latest/, but progress has stalled due to me doing other Inkscape stuff, so help is definitely wanted! I need help and external input on the organization of the manual, the writing style and the grammar too.
If you're interested in a collab, please reply! I can give you a primer on the current system I use, or maybe we could switch to a new system (only 26 articles have been written).
Oh wow, you started writing a manual all by yourself? That is very ambitious!!
I'm not clear, are you writing it only for version 1.5 -- meaning whatever is new in 1.5? Or do you mean it would be a full manual that will be released around the time when 1.5 is released? It seems that time is very short, if that is the plan.
To be honest, my interest is in creating a manual that is: 1 - a full manual, 2 - official, and 3 - open source.
That would need a team larger than 2 people, in my mind. I think a minimum of 3 to 5 people. But better, would be up to 10 or 12. They would not all necessarily be writers. Maybe only one or 2 people would write. Some would edit. Some would focus on illustrations. Some would focus on the layout. Someone would be the expert on whatever format we decide to use. The more people involved, the less work for each 🙂
Of course, to be an official manual, it would need input and approval of the Board..... Oh, I see there's not a board anymore. Now it looks like it's called the Project Leadership Committe. Oh gosh, there's a lot of new stuff since I've been around. Maybe a Working Group would be needed? And maybe some other team? Someone would need to navigate all that as well.
Anyway, I'm looking for very official, because our current official manual is out of date. And open source, so that it may be kept up to date, without needing permission of an owner.
A full manual in the 1.5 release timeframe is indeed the plan. The manual would be split in 3 parts:
A task-oriented guide, like the guides and books you see for Inkscape and other software. In it I'll start with drawing shapes, drawing lines, setting up a document for print (and for web), understanding color, filters and LPEs, working with groups and layers, common caveats and pitfalls, and exporting for print or web usage.
A reference designed to be plugged into the actual interface, with how tools and dialogs work to the very detail, all keyboard and modifier shortcuts, how preferences work and modify the experience, etc.
A Workflow section where individuals maintain manuals on how to achieve different tasks in Inkscape, such as character design, illustration, graphic design and layouting, creating a zine, using Inkscape with plotters, InkStitch embroidery, etc.
I'm now finally in summer vacation so I'll have more time in my hands to write stuff. You're right that we need proofreaing and editing personnel, as writing is not my strongest suit. In fact reading the first 20-something pages I wrote, I immediately want to go back and rewrite some whole paragraphs.
This is indeed aimed at becoming the official manual, and it's licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, with the copyright being me and Inkscape contributors (a few chapters are adapted from the Beginner's Guide).
When you say it's "aimed at becoming the official manual", do you mean you're hoping it would be deemed as official? Or are you part of a team or group that is in charge of writing a new manual....meaning that some planning has already happened? Aside from what is already on your readthedocs site, has anything else been written or decided? Such as an outline maybe?
As I said, if there are several people already involved, then yes, I would be interested to learn more about it. But I don't think just 2 people could write a whole manual in the time frame you describe.
Tips, Tricks, and Tutorials Inkscape for Artists - Step by Step
Inkscape.org
Hi Friends,
Inkscape for Artists - Step by Step This is a book (or course or textbook) that teaches how to use Inkscape, from the simplest beginner skills through advanced. It teaches in a hands-on manner, with over 100 exercises, or tutorials, that are richly illustrated, and accompanied by 28 videos. Written mostly using version 1.2, it can be used with any later version of Inkscape.
It is authored by Kirsten Roth-Koch. Illustrator is Bart Koelemaij.
In addition, we maintain a website called Inkscape Friends, to which we periodically post new exercises or tutorials. And in case anyone has questions or comments, or just wants to chat about Inkscape, you can visit Inkscape Friends Forum.
Hi Brynn,
Having a flashback. Would have many questions. Maybe not strictry related to the book though.
Will check out the website.
Hi Lazur,
A flashback?! I guess that explains the images in your gallery, hahaha!
Well, this is what I have been doing since I left this forum. Kirstie wrote the book. I just helped make the English smooth and clear. We both worked on the website, and enjoy writing the new tutorials.
Email or message me, if you like. Although really, not much ever changes for me!
I would love, love, love to help write a new Inkscape manual (official and open source, I mean), if anyone else has such an itch.
@brynn holy moly I just found this thread today! You're also interested in writing a new manual??
I'm in the process of writing a new manual for version 1.5: https://inkscape-ltlnx.readthedocs.io/en/latest/, but progress has stalled due to me doing other Inkscape stuff, so help is definitely wanted! I need help and external input on the organization of the manual, the writing style and the grammar too.
If you're interested in a collab, please reply! I can give you a primer on the current system I use, or maybe we could switch to a new system (only 26 articles have been written).
(It's open-source and licensed with CC BY-SA.)
-- ltlnx
Oh wow, you started writing a manual all by yourself? That is very ambitious!!
I'm not clear, are you writing it only for version 1.5 -- meaning whatever is new in 1.5? Or do you mean it would be a full manual that will be released around the time when 1.5 is released? It seems that time is very short, if that is the plan.
To be honest, my interest is in creating a manual that is: 1 - a full manual, 2 - official, and 3 - open source.
That would need a team larger than 2 people, in my mind. I think a minimum of 3 to 5 people. But better, would be up to 10 or 12. They would not all necessarily be writers. Maybe only one or 2 people would write. Some would edit. Some would focus on illustrations. Some would focus on the layout. Someone would be the expert on whatever format we decide to use. The more people involved, the less work for each 🙂
Of course, to be an official manual, it would need input and approval of the Board..... Oh, I see there's not a board anymore. Now it looks like it's called the Project Leadership Committe. Oh gosh, there's a lot of new stuff since I've been around. Maybe a Working Group would be needed? And maybe some other team? Someone would need to navigate all that as well.
Anyway, I'm looking for very official, because our current official manual is out of date. And open source, so that it may be kept up to date, without needing permission of an owner.
A full manual in the 1.5 release timeframe is indeed the plan. The manual would be split in 3 parts:
I'm now finally in summer vacation so I'll have more time in my hands to write stuff. You're right that we need proofreaing and editing personnel, as writing is not my strongest suit. In fact reading the first 20-something pages I wrote, I immediately want to go back and rewrite some whole paragraphs.
This is indeed aimed at becoming the official manual, and it's licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, with the copyright being me and Inkscape contributors (a few chapters are adapted from the Beginner's Guide).
Are you interested in joining?
When you say it's "aimed at becoming the official manual", do you mean you're hoping it would be deemed as official? Or are you part of a team or group that is in charge of writing a new manual....meaning that some planning has already happened? Aside from what is already on your readthedocs site, has anything else been written or decided? Such as an outline maybe?
As I said, if there are several people already involved, then yes, I would be interested to learn more about it. But I don't think just 2 people could write a whole manual in the time frame you describe.