Inkscape tips

[kevin89]

I just downloaded inkscape a little over a week ago, and it seems to be taking me forever to diagram my model. So I was wondering if anyone has any tips, secrets or shortcuts they use that makes it easier/faster? Or does it always take forever? (note: it may be because my model is relatively complex and has a fair amount of creases)

I was also wondering how people diagram, like the steps/order in which they draw everything.

btw I have a pc

[Fluffy]

I use inkscape and it took me one hour to diagram my koi (diagram/crease pattern) and it took 5 hours for my moon so I guess its a matter of practice. Keep practicing

[Jonnycakes]

It also just takes a freaking long time to diagram, no matter who you are.

[kevin89]

Ok. I thought that might be the case. It might also be because I am really ocd about details and making everything line up perfectly (which is why I'd really like to have AutoCADD). So far its probably taken me about 10-15 hours to diagram about 35 steps, 9 of which are pure precreasing, 2 are 3D 'in-the-process-of-folding' , so I have a fair amount of creases that I have to put in. And I kept making mistakes. Like I diagrammed several steps only to realize I did them wrong and had to basically start over. (the layers weren't correct.

Fluffy: many steps was your moon?

[Fluffy]

28 but even Jonnycakes can say it is harder than it looks.

[kevin89]

How do you fill in the paper? Like to create the colored side of the paper? I've been using the paint bucket, but I have to manually move the nodes because it rounds out the corners, and that takes a long time. I also know how to fill it when you use the square tool or create a polygon, but how do you do it if you want to fill a space that is bordered by unconnected lines?

And to everyone out there: What shortcut keys do you use most/find helpful specifically in diagraming?

[maddoghoek100]

draw a box with no border to fill the space. Personal opinion. If you have spaces made of unconnected lines you might want adjust the way you are using the tool. My diagrams are all made of polygons with the only lines being Crease lines.

[966623]

I like to make any colored parts of the paper their own shapes in the earlier parts of the instructions, so I can use the fill option in the "Stroke and Fill" toolbar. But in later steps, this can get hard to do. One way to get a better fill is
1. Fill the shape using bucket
2. Then, in the "Stroke and Fill" toolbar, disable stroke paint.
3. Delete the fill you just made.
4. Fill the shape again and enable stroke paint.
The thickness of the now added outline stroke should fill up the blank spaces that fill normally may leave out. Sharp corners may still need manual adjustment. Adjust stroke thickness to taste.
When filling an area, be as zoomed in as possible into that area without cutting off the shape being filled.

For getting things lined up, I like to use grid lines. (Click and drag from the side ruler bars). You will have to enable snapping in File>Document Properties.

To get things layered up properly, I use "Page Up" and "Down" to move a shape to be drawn below or above something else.



I double click in the middle of a stroke somewhere to create a node there if I happen to need one.

That's all I can think of right now. I hope it helps.

[kevin89]

maddoghoek100: Well the reason I have spaces of unconnected lines is I've been showing all the layers behind it, and it has been easier to just add the lines onto the edge. But now that you mention it, that would probably be easier. I'll have to try that when I get the chance (I'll be busy this week with homework/tests, and the fact that I'm going camping at Yosemite friday to sunday).

966623: As I said, it has been easier to create the lines that way, and because its the flaps that are being shown, they are constantly being changed, so that I have to basically do each step by hand

the steps you described do fill the area better, but I'd still have to go in and move some of the nodes manually.

About the shortcuts:I started using the gridlines, but my lines kept on not landing on them, so I stopped. But I do use click+ctrl to create straight lines of angles of multiples of 15 (I think) Oh wait, you mean GUIDElines. No, I haven't really used those much. It just takes me forever to try and grab them to erase them. and I am aware that I can change that in the preferences
I also use Home to send an object to the top and End to send an object to the bottom.
other shortcuts of mine:
select nodes+shift+L to make the fill/line between them a straight line (no curves)
space switches between the pointer and the recently selected tool.
clicking the color pallette ribbon thing at the bottom changes the fill coler, shift+click changes the line color

[966623]

I know you said you don't use guidelines much, but would an occasional angled guideline (Double click on a guideline and type the angle in.) help with odder angles like 22.5 perhaps?
-
I dunno
Personally, i have guidelines all over the place. I usually don't erase them either
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How are you doing the 3d in progress steps?

[kevin89]

I've taken a picture of the model (I'm folding it as I go), upload to inkscape, trace it (draw lines over all the creases and edges), delete the picture and add arrows, change lines, etc.

Help with what?

[Jonnycakes]

I can confirm that the way to fill is to draw with polygons. You can then add/delete nodes when you need to change the polygon's shape. You can actually use this technique to form layers behind as well-it is much better than using the bucket tool (which is pretty bad on Inkscape).

You can go into preferences and change the angle interval to which angles snap. My preference is 7.5, as this allows multiples of 22.5 and 15. If your lines aren't lining up with the grid, you need to enable snapping/snapping to grid lines. You may also have to change (in the snapping tab of document properties (ctrl+shift+D)) how close you need to be to a point to snap to it.

[kevin89]

I don't mean to defend the bucket tool, but you can also create nodes on the edges and create curves and such. About the forming layers part, do you just mean you can put objects behind it? Because you can do that with the bucket tool too.

But my main issue with creating polygons is that they share a long edge with other polygons, and it is annoying to get the lines to line up right so the line doesn't appear thicker. (lightbulb!) Wait, I could just extend that polygon and put it behind the other one!

[Jonnycakes]

My main gripe with the bucket tool is that it doesn't quite fill to the edges of the space it is supposed to be filling. That is, there is a white gap before the fill hits the line. It is also easier to edit steps (IMO) with the "polygon" method.

[Brimstone]

I'm terrible at drawing but I'd really like to improve, so could someone please explain what is this thing of working with polygons?