| Inkscape Tutorial: Spiro Swirls |
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It took a long wait, but Inkscape 0.47 was released on 24 November 2009. It has taken over a year of intensive development and refactoring, but Inkscape is slowly growing up. We use several vector applications at VSD, but as strong supporters of Open Source software, Inkscape holds a special place. We put up with some of its quirks and try to use the program wherever possible, as it has some seriously cool features. One of the new additions to Inkscape is the possibility to use Spiro curves (Cornu spirals), which were introduced to the design world by Raph Levien. In this tutorial I demonstrate the basics of Spiro curves in Inkscape at a slow pace and use it to create smooth flowing swirls.
This tutorial assumes no prior Inkscape knowledge, so it may be a tat slow if you are already familiar with Inkscape's interface and the more advanced features such as the path editor.
I know... I should have made a start button so you determine when the video rolls... it is not there (yet).. please have some patience while contents load. Feel free to comment if you have further suggestions for improvement or have questions about the techniques shown.
File size: 7 MB The video starts automatically - just give it some time to load. Pause the tutorial at any time with the control bar just below it.
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Comments
Glad you liked it. I hope you did find the overview page for all tutorials, as there are more Inkscape goodies posted there.
Cheers,
Syllie
Muchas gracias!! muy buen material.
Thank you very much! very good stuff.
why I don't have this drawing mode option? I can not create "spiro path". Please help me with that.
Thank you.
tysiula
First of all, you must have Inkscape version 0.47 or higher installed (I just checked the 0.48-dev version and it is in there as expected).
The Spiro path can be either directly created using a path tool (such as the Bezier Tool
Another option is to add it later to a path via the menu Path > Path Effect Editor (Shift+Ctrl+7). You then select Spiro Spline from the drop down list, and press the Add button to apply it.
If you still cannot find it, at least let me know what operating system you work on and what version of Inkscape you use - so I can look to other possible causes.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Syllie
Help please?
I am not 100% sure what you mean, but I'll give it a shot.
If you are talking about the triangle that makes the "pattern" along your path, it is drawn in the upper left corner of your document (the top left corner of the paper).
It is ONLY visible if you have applied a pattern to the path. For example: use the bezier tool and set the Shape to "Triangle In", or have added "pattern along a path" manually through the Path Effect Editor.
If a pattern is applied to a path, you can edit the pattern "on-canvas" by clicking on the "edit-on-canvas" symbol in the Path Effect Editor - it LOOKS like the Node Tool, but it is the icon in the Path Effect Editor, when you select "Pattern Along Path" in the Effects List.
I hope this helps. If not, please try to be a bit more specific.
Cheers,
Syllie
The video tutorial is made as in .swf format, so as soon as you play it is is already downloaded to a temporary folder on your pc.
If you use Firefox you can also use Tools > Page Info. Then go to the Media tab and pick the .swf file from the list. Then use the Save As button.
Please let me remind you about our TOU tho: "Tutorials from this site may NOT be redistributed in any manner. If you would like to put them up in a forum or some other place, contact us first."
Cheers,
Syllie
If the easiest way is to group elements through the menu Object > Group (Ctrl+G).
If you like fancy borders, also try the tutorial that specifically handles that: verysimpledesigns.com/vectors/inkscape-tutorial-fancy-borders.html
Cheers,
Syllie
I am glad the tutorials are of help. And getting feedback on them is great, as it helps us to fine-tune our path.
Inkscape has come a long way and it has features that are not available in the big commercial programs, tho it lacks a few they have too. I find that I can do almost all vector work exclusively in Inkscape.
Cheers,
Syllie
Thank you.
In the tutorial I first cut the path to the clipboard. If you have troubles with this step I suggest you just do a copy and delete the path afterwards.
Step 1: Copy the path that you want to use as pattern (Ctrl+C) to clipboard.
Step 2: Select your path and add the Path Effect Editor > Pattern Along Path effect to your path.
Step 3: Select the effect in the effects list.
Step 4: Use the paste path icon
Now the path that you copied to the clipboard is used as pattern in the Pattern Along Path Effect.
Step 5: You can still edit your path: click on the edit-on-screen icon
Step 6: Look in the UPPER LEFT corner of your DOCUMENT (the paper shape that is drawn on screen). You should see YOUR pattern in green and you can edit it.
Step 7: If the pattern does not show up on the path, it may simply be too big, too small or too awkward in shape. Try resizing it while in edit mode and see if this helps.
Step 8: If you are happy with your results: delete the original pattern that we copied in step 1
I hope this helps!
Cheers,
Syllie
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