Beginning Inkscape is your shortcut to creating vector graphics with this free open source software. This book explains the Inkscape software interface and what each tool allows you to do. Best of all, Beginning Inkscape shows you how to use techniques employed by graphic designers to create a range of images, graphs, diagrams, and illustrations. Color images and screenshots appear at every step to help you see and understand the tools and techniques you are learning. Projects and exercises are throughout the book to help you put it all into practice. Inkscape trainer and author Donna Benjamin shows you how to get the most out of Inkscape by taking you through the interface one tool at a time. Use this book as both an introductory manual for the software and a crash course to get up to speed in using Inkscape for real-world projects. Beginning Inkscape also showcases projects by artists and designers who use the software to create comics, web sites, icons, charts, and diagrams. What you'll learn Install Inkscape on a Linux, Mac OS X, or Windows machine. Understand how Inkscape can be configured and customized. Develop fundamental vector drawing techniques. Discover how to create patterns, clone objects, and use gradients. Manipulate layers, paths, and masks for complete control of the canvas. Master using shape, line, and color for creating dramatic graphics. Who is this book for? This book is for beginning to intermediate graphics creators. Many people would love to be more creative in making images on their computers but are daunted by the complexity of modern tools. This book is for them. Craftspeople, teachers and students, graphic artists, web developers, and report writers will also find the book useful. About the Apress Beginning Series The Beginning series from Apress is the right choice to get the information you need to land that crucial entry-level job. These books will teach you a standard and important technology from the ground up because they are explicitly designed to take you from "novice to professional." You'll start your journey by seeing what you need to know--but without needless theory and filler. You'll build your skill set by learning how to put together real-world projects step by step. So whether your goal is your next career challenge or a new learning opportunity, the Beginning series from Apress will take you there--it is your trusted guide through unfamiliar territory