Note to moderator - please remove my previous two questions on the same topic - I am sorry I did not do those correctly.
Updated post with images and dxf file
I have a dxf file (see attached dxf file) which seems to read on correctly. It consists of a number of closed shapes forming a small Celtic type knot. I can move each of the shapes individually. – see jpg files dxf read in & shape moved.
I want to add different colours to each of the closed shapes.
When I use the cursor to select all of the parts I see this and the message at the bottom says "15 objects of types Symbol,Path in layer 0" – see objects selected.jpg
When I use the Fill bounded area option I get the message, again at the bottom "Area not bounded, cannot fill" – fill failure.jpg
I have tried to find a solution on the internet but sadly I have failed!
What do I have to do to be able to fill the individual 'shapes'?
The fill bounded area is not needed for this, turning the fill for the paths should be sufficient. I suggest exploring the first three tutorials in Inkscape's help menu to better understand fills.
Having done that, it might be easiest to regard the symbols as clones and "unlink" the symbol objects so they can be edited (Shift+Alt+D). In-depth information on symbols here: (pdf).
Thank you - I will look at the tutorials an pdf and hopefully I will find out how to "turning the fill for the paths should be sufficient." and "unlink" the symbol objects so they can be edited ..
I have uploaded the .svg file of the design - I am not sure if this is the Inkscape file you want. If not please give me a few more clues.
As you proceed you will find that this is a bit like peeling an onion... there is more below the surface. After un-linking, you will have groups; inside the groups there are paths. Each group of paths should be combined into a single path (not the piece number), and then they can be assigned a fill color using the fill/stroke menu. I'm not a purist by any stretch, but this seems like the proper way to approach the project, IMO.
Thank you for working on my problem - the coloured picture your attached is exactly what I am trying to do.
I have looked through the first three tutorials (I wish I had done this before since I have a better idea about some of the fundamentals). Using these I did at least manage to copy one of the sections and used the Stroke style tab to alter the thickness and type of border. However, I could not alter the colour of the border (but perhaps that is associated with the fill colour issue).
I also tried to read Inkscape - Part 64 which was on page 29 onwards of the pdf. I say tried since I really could use any of the information that was there which seemed to be what I was looking for.
From your comments I get the feeling that my dxf file gives a structured object which you have to work on so that you can fill the individual parts. I think I failed at the first hurdle since although I could find a reference to Unlink Clone and tried to use this after trying to make a Clone I
1. could not tell if I had done anything useful - so I don't think my attempt at unlinking worked. 2. was not at all sure what to do next, even if step 1 was OK - I saw Groups in the Object pull down but did not understand what to do,
Therefore I wondered if you could give more explicit steps or point me to another document which could help (I did look at the manual but none of the Chapter headings sounded as though the material would help).
Thank you - I really appreciate the effort you have made - I never would have found that sequence of things to do. As you can see from the attachments I have made it work,
My next challenge is to get better colours for the wood - I have scanned two samples in and now finding the best way to get a realistic values (for RGB for example) to use. I have added the scans as well.
Is there a way of down loading your video - I ask because it would have been good to be able to pause at various stages?
..ahh that explains it. Although I have been using computers for longer than I care to remember, I think this is the first time I have 'experienced a gif of this sort. Therefore will now look how to play it and pause when I want to. Thanks again.
Beginners' Questions Fill failure 3
Inkscape.org
Note to moderator - please remove my previous two questions on the same topic - I am sorry I did not do those correctly.
Updated post with images and dxf file
I have a dxf file (see attached dxf file) which seems to read on correctly. It consists of a number of closed shapes forming a small Celtic type knot. I can move each of the shapes individually. – see jpg files dxf read in & shape moved.
I want to add different colours to each of the closed shapes.
When I use the cursor to select all of the parts I see this and the message at the bottom says "15 objects of types Symbol,Path in layer 0" – see objects selected.jpg
When I use the Fill bounded area option I get the message, again at the bottom "Area not bounded, cannot fill" – fill failure.jpg
I have tried to find a solution on the internet but sadly I have failed!
What do I have to do to be able to fill the individual 'shapes'?
The fill bounded area is not needed for this, turning the fill for the paths should be sufficient. I suggest exploring the first three tutorials in Inkscape's help menu to better understand fills.
Having done that, it might be easiest to regard the symbols as clones and "unlink" the symbol objects so they can be edited (Shift+Alt+D). In-depth information on symbols here: (pdf).
I don´t get the file to load properly into Inkscape. Can you upload the Inkscape file instead?
Edit: Ok my old macOS version can open it. Why it´s a "Symbol" escapes me. As Tyler wrote "unclone" will do:
Thank you - I will look at the tutorials an pdf and hopefully I will find out how to "turning the fill for the paths should be sufficient." and "unlink" the symbol objects so they can be edited ..
I have uploaded the .svg file of the design - I am not sure if this is the Inkscape file you want. If not please give me a few more clues.
Thanks for the svg file, it is as I would expect.
As you proceed you will find that this is a bit like peeling an onion... there is more below the surface. After un-linking, you will have groups; inside the groups there are paths. Each group of paths should be combined into a single path (not the piece number), and then they can be assigned a fill color using the fill/stroke menu. I'm not a purist by any stretch, but this seems like the proper way to approach the project, IMO.
Thank you for working on my problem - the coloured picture your attached is exactly what I am trying to do.
I have looked through the first three tutorials (I wish I had done this before since I have a better idea about some of the fundamentals). Using these I did at least manage to copy one of the sections and used the Stroke style tab to alter the thickness and type of border. However, I could not alter the colour of the border (but perhaps that is associated with the fill colour issue).
I also tried to read Inkscape - Part 64 which was on page 29 onwards of the pdf. I say tried since I really could use any of the information that was there which seemed to be what I was looking for.
From your comments I get the feeling that my dxf file gives a structured object which you have to work on so that you can fill the individual parts. I think I failed at the first hurdle since although I could find a reference to Unlink Clone and tried to use this after trying to make a Clone I
1. could not tell if I had done anything useful - so I don't think my attempt at unlinking worked.
2. was not at all sure what to do next, even if step 1 was OK - I saw Groups in the Object pull down but did not understand what to do,
Therefore I wondered if you could give more explicit steps or point me to another document which could help (I did look at the manual but none of the Chapter headings sounded as though the material would help).
Here's my workflow:
That sounds like a lot, but it takes less than a minute for each piece.
PS you can skip the Path>combine step, it's an old habit of mine.
Thank you - I really appreciate the effort you have made - I never would have found that sequence of things to do. As you can see from the attachments I have made it work,
My next challenge is to get better colours for the wood - I have scanned two samples in and now finding the best way to get a realistic values (for RGB for example) to use. I have added the scans as well.
Is there a way of down loading your video - I ask because it would have been good to be able to pause at various stages?
It´s not a video but GIF - in essence an image sequence. So right-click/save to... or simply click&drag onto your desktop or folder should work.
..ahh that explains it. Although I have been using computers for longer than I care to remember, I think this is the first time I have 'experienced a gif of this sort. Therefore will now look how to play it and pause when I want to. Thanks again.
I use LICEcap.app all the time.