Episode 067 - Intro to Spiro

by heathenx

In this episode I take a look at a semi-current development release of Inkscape to show off some of the new Spiro capabilities. Spiro is NOT included in the latest v0.46 stable release. I used Inkscape SVN Revision 19338.

Please review Andy Fitzsimon’s recent blog post on Spiro as well.

Episode 066 - Intro to Live Path Effects (LPE)

by heathenx

In this screencast I will demonstrate Live Path Effects or LPE in Inkscape v0.46.

Please review Tav’s guide on LPE. You’ll walk away with a thorough understanding as usual.

Episode 065 - LCD Digits

by Richard Querin

This screencast demonstrates a fairly easy way of creating LCD digits from scratch. It also demonstrates the use of grids and grid snapping to make drawing objects of a defined size easier.

I recorded the intro to this one about a week ago. During the week I got involved in a couple of forum discussions involving grids and snapping (which I had never used before btw). So you’ll notice that while the main screencast uses grids and grid snapping to create the digit, the intro at the beginning does not.

See, you can teach an old dog new tricks. Woof Woof!

ps. Astute viewers might also notice that this might be the first time I’ve done two of these episodes in a row. Does that mean I can now wait 2 months before doing my next one??

Episode 064 - Bitmap Masking

by Richard Querin

This screencast demonstrates a couple of ways that you can easily use objects in Inkscape to mask out parts of a bitmap image. This idea came from an email from David Hernandez, a viewer who pointed us to this post which demonstrated a grid masking effect using Photoshop.

Granted, I haven’t tried the Photoshop tutorial, I get the feeling that like many other (but not all) things involving the creative use of bitmaps, Inkscape can sometimes be more effective. But hey, I’m biased.

As always, I hope you find it useful - but there are no guarantees ;).

Episode 063 - Custom Patterns

by heathenx

In this episode I’m going to take a look at how to create a custom pattern and add it to our default patterns document so that I can use it in future projects. I’ll be using Inkscape v0.46.

Please review fellow Inkscape user Rob Antonishen’s blog for a thorough custom pattern tutorial as well.  Rob fills in all the stuff that I forgot to mention when I plowed through my screencast at hyper speed. Also, he has some other tips on his website that I know many of you will find useful. Rob is pretty active on the Inkscape-User mailing list so if you are a subscriber then I’m sure you have already caught some of his posts. Thanks Rob.

Episode 062 - Raster Image Perspective Effect

by heathenx

In this episode I will demonstrate how to manipulate a raster image by applying a perspective effect with the help of Imagemagick and then using that in my vector project. I will be using Inkscape v0.46.

You will need to download and install Imagemagick for your operating system, if you don’t already have it, in order to use the terminal command that I demonstrate in the tutorial. If you are using a Debian based distro, such as, Ubuntu then it’s as simple as a “sudo apt-get install imagemagick” in a terminal. Binaries are also available for Windows and Mac users.

You may visit imagemagick.org for a closer look at this small but powerful package. For specific information regarding the the perspective distort then cruise over to this link.

Episode 061 - Simple 3D Object

by Richard Querin

In this tutorial I create a semi-realistic 3D recycle bin using Inkscape 0.46. This screencast demonstrates how the use of very simple objects along with subtle gradients and blurs can achieve realistic looking objects.

I’ve been mulling over this one for quite a while thinking it was too simple and boring. But I thought, what the heck. It might be of interest to someone out there.

I’ve also been playing around with my new Flip Video camera and decided to try something for the 45 second intro at the beginning.

I hope you find this one useful.

Episode 060 - Live Envelope Effect

by heathenx

In this tutorial I’m going to have a look at a bit of node sculpting to simulate a live envelope effect in Inkscape 0.46.

Check out this YouTube link to see where the inspiration for this screencast came from.

Thank-you Don Waters and Richard Querin for providing insight into this nifty effect.

Episode 059 - Masks on Textured Background

by heathenx

In this screencast I will demonstrate a quick method for masking objects on a textured background in Inkscape v0.46.

Episode 058 - Filter Effects

by heathenx

In this screencast I take an initial look at the new filter effects in the recently released Inkscape 0.46. I demonstrate three effects: Drop shadows, Embossing, and Turbulence. There are many things that you can achieve with filters so play around with them and see what you come up with.

Please reference these two web sites for further reader on the effects that I used.

Tavmjong Bah’s Guide to Inkscape - Draft Filters Chapter for Inkscape 0.46

And

chrisdesign blog - Creating Real Fire Tutorial

Episode 057 - Page Curl

by Richard Querin

In this screencast, I demonstrate a fairly quick way of creating a corner page curl. I then show one way of putting a photo onto this page. This screencast was done with Inkscape 0.46, although I didn’t use any of the new features in 0.46 for this one. I’m still trying to catch up!

Episode 056 - Web Badges

by heathenx

In this screencast I will demonstrate how to make small web badges for your web page to promote of your favorite project. I’ll be using Inkscape v0.45

Episode 055 - RSS Icon

by heathenx

In this tutorial I will demonstrate how to illustrate a very simple RSS icon in Inkscape v0.45.

Episode 054 - Scrapbooking Effect

by Richard Querin

In this screencast, I demonstrate a slotted corner scrapbooking effect. I also demonstrate a simple embossed text technique as well as a general image clipping technique. All this fun was done using Inkscape 0.45.

Episode 053 - Abstract Wallpaper

by heathenx

In this screencast I will demonstrate how to make a simple abstract wallpaper emphasizing gradients in Inkscape v0.45.

Episode 052 - A Simple Keypad

by Richard Querin

In this screencast I demonstrate a pretty quick and simple way of creating a keypad for use in illustrating a piece of equipment. I used Inkscape 0.45 for this tutorial.

Episode 051 - Old School Monitor

by heathenx

In this screencast I will illustrate a rather “old school” looking monitor in Inkscape v0.45.

Episode 050 - Sparkle Effect

by heathenx

In this screencast I will demonstrate how to add a little pizazz to your project with a sparkle effect. I will be using Inkscape v0.45.

Episode 049 - Sunbursts

by heathenx

In this screencast I will demonstrate how to make a sunburst and apply it to a logo in Inkscape 0.45.

Episode 048 - Firefox Personas

by heathenx

In this screencast I will explain how to make a custom header image with the new Firefox add-on called Personas. I’ll be using Inkscape 0.45.