Many of us pedal builders are using Inkscape to create our graphics and layouts. It's also helpful for creating etching files from Eagle's layouts. This thread is where you can ask questions, share tips, and post links for helpful tutorials.
Here's the Inkscape website: http://inkscape.org/ (http://inkscape.org/)
Jacob
my question is this...
how the heck to you open the EPS files. I've done research and everything points to Ghostscript. I just can't figure out how to "build" it on my Mac. I'm not a code guy, I'm guessing I need to do something in Terminal. I'm running Lion (10.7.1). Any help would be great.
I'm running Lion and gave up on EPS as everything pointed to ghostscript.
Ihave been opening the PDF version instead. I don't know if I'm "supposed" to do it this way, but it's working...kinda.
Revised to include Jacob's quote from the other thread:
I used the pdf version, and then opened a new page, then imported the page I wanted in. I selected everything, the ungrouped it to it's basic parts. I then had to highlight and group each part one at a time. A pain. I wish we could get the .svg file instead of the .eps or .pdf files to work with.
I also wish there were some more parts to have to work with as well. a 9V battery as an example, or external nut DC jacks.
Jacob
Ungrouped items as Jacob suggested, bingo! Thanks man. (used the PDF version).
I posted on the other thread, but pressing "space" and then "escape" before letting go of the object will drop a copy in the place and keep the original copy in its place.
I have the knobs ungrouped and saved as an svg file. I then went back and regrouped the components of each knob, so you can just drag and drop...hopefully. I'm working on the hardware. I'll zip it and upload them up to here when I'm done. Won't be tonight. Maybe tomorrow after work ;)
Maybe it will save some folks a bit of a hassle in the future.
I've already got the hardware done too :)
This should be all of them (knobs, hardware, and all enclosures) as .SVG files. Should be able to just drag and drop. Let me know if something doesn't work.
****DISCLAIMER: I DID NOT MAKE THESE VECTOR FILES AND TAKE NO CREDIT FOR THEM****
....just thought I'd throw that out there.
ian
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eh. i've been messing around with it. if I copy and paste components into another document, the quality goes down (a little fuzzy, numbers aren't on the pots). Also, if a copy any of the switched (toggle or 3Pdt) and paste, the blue goes away. Its weird. Trying to figure out.
Hmm, idk man. I'm guessing that perhaps each individual object needs to be grouped so that all layers of said object move together. Just a guess.
I just started to use the templates on GGG until I'm up and running on inkscape. GGG is down in observance of Shabbos. I can't find the link to the page that hosts links to all the enclosures, but this link should get you to the 125B enclosure...awesome template in my opinion and should be very usable in vector based programs.
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pdf/drill/ggg_drill_125b_all.pdf?phpMyAdmin=78482479fd7e7fc3768044a841b3e85a (http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pdf/drill/ggg_drill_125b_all.pdf?phpMyAdmin=78482479fd7e7fc3768044a841b3e85a)
For now, just change the given enclosure model number in the URL to your desired model (1590b, 1590bb, etc) and the PDF should come up. I'll cross post in the inkscape thread.
Slimtriggers, Which pages haven't you done, I'd be happy to help out.
Quote from: irmcdermott on September 24, 2011, 03:26:11 AM
eh. i've been messing around with it. if I copy and paste components into another document, the quality goes down (a little fuzzy, numbers aren't on the pots). Also, if a copy any of the switched (toggle or 3Pdt) and paste, the blue goes away. Its weird. Trying to figure out.
You might have missed grouping a layer. I was deconstructing things layer by layer, then using the align tools as I regrouped them. It's tedious, though. I'm not sure why you would be losing resolution when you copy/paste ???
keysandguitars, I have the knobs done and about 3/4th of the hardware. I won't be able to get to it until tonight after work.
Quote from: irmcdermott on September 24, 2011, 03:26:11 AM
eh. i've been messing around with it. if I copy and paste components into another document, the quality goes down (a little fuzzy, numbers aren't on the pots). Also, if a copy any of the switched (toggle or 3Pdt) and paste, the blue goes away. Its weird. Trying to figure out.
I've never been able to copy and paste to and from Inkscape. I can't even copy something in one page in Inkscape and then paste in a new page! Perhaps there is a way to do it, but all I've been able to do is to import and export things. The "Save As" in the file tab is helpful.
Jacob
Out of curiousity.... I know you are on a Mac, so you are used to Command+C, Command+V, etc., but in Inkscape (and GIMP), you need to hit Control+C, Control+V, etc., as if you were on a PC.
Here's the knobs and hardware. I tested them as I went, but it's possible I missed something. I hope it works!
Again with the disclaimer: This is not my original work. I just converted them to svg. Whoever made these originally was a saint! 8)
Knobs and hardware only. I didn't do the enclosures yet.
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Knobs and hardware re-upped. Get 'em while you can ;)
Just did this with Inkscape and Gimp. Sort of Malekko-ish. Pretty quick and easy, though 8)
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I see what you did there...
Jacob
I shoulda checked my spelling first :D
This is DUCTAPERIOT's post from another thread:
Ok, i finally finished the tutorial on how to use the Inkscape vector graphics editing program to create a pedal decal layout. It goes through how to get a drilling template into the program, create text for knob labels and naming, creating an outline with jack labels, and how to take a bitmap (jpeg, or gif, or ??) graphic and turn it into a vector one. There is lots of discussion of the advantages of using vector graphics on the original post too.
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmOG5zE0sNE
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHL7SA-qX6w
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXvy5Wb46ok
I had to split it into 3 parts because it wound up being pretty long (~30 min). Also I apologize for the noise in the background, it is my laptop cpu fan and I didn't notice it until after I had finished recording everything and I just couldn't bring myself to redo it. It took much longer than I expected to get it edited and uploaded.
Let me know if there are any questions.
Great tutorial on cropping
http://inkscapetutorials.wordpress.com/2011/02/22/inkscape-faq-how-do-i-crop-in-inkscape/ (http://inkscapetutorials.wordpress.com/2011/02/22/inkscape-faq-how-do-i-crop-in-inkscape/)
I've finally designed graphics for several pedals in Inkscape. I created them in different files and then imported them all into one document. I have them laid out within the boundaries of the page. When I click print (fortunately on plain paper to test) it only prints a corner of one pedal. I've searched the web for guidance on how to set the printing margins and have played with the document properties, but I'm not getting anywhere.
I can print the single pedal art in the individual file, but I'm trying to get several decals out of one sheet of waterslide paper. Any suggestions?
Hi Keys.. Thanks lots for the tutorial! I have a question regarding adding the rectangle outline. You made it appear around the thing like magic, lol.. It wouldn't appear for me, it made me draw it with the mouse, and with my shaky hand, forget it! lol I missed something you did somewhere. I opened the fill and stroke and saw the curved corner option, but i would still need to have the rectangle in place to choose that I think.
Sorry, I'm confused!
I'm an old nube when it comes to getting around these type programs.
Thanks in advance... Dave
Hi Dave,
DuctTapeRiot made the videos, i just posted them in this thread. A couple questions, are you using the vector pack with all the enclosures, hardware and knobs? If so, you won't need to freehand draw anything. You can just use the desired enclosure size you're using for your build.
If you want to draw the rectangle, you should be able to click on the rectangle tool on the left hand side of the window, in the tool bar, and click and drag the mouse on the canvas to make the rectangle. You can then select the object and use the fill and stroke menu to change the line color, thickness, corners, etc as well as the fill color.
This video explains it in detail. Let me know if I didn't give you the answer you're looking for and I'll try again to help.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulkp5VWQYAQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulkp5VWQYAQ)
Thanks Keys,
Yes I am using them, and using the 1590B outline. I got it now, sort of.. ::) lol. I tried to use the erase tool to make little breaks in it and it wanted to erase the whole rectangle.. arghhh! Oh well I'll just have to keep on doinken with it .. Also I want to make my knob label text arched, not sure if i can or how to do that either.. I'll get it!
Thanks again... Dave
Quote from: Davefx on December 18, 2011, 12:52:09 PM
I tried to use the erase tool to make little breaks in it and it wanted to erase the whole rectangle.. arghhh!
Ya as you discovered the erase tool only erases whole objects. In order to make the gaps you can do two things, either convert the rectangle to a path and add nodes to break it as I did in the tutorial part 1 above, or another quicker way I discovered is to simply make some smaller rectangles that are all white (both stroke and fill) and make sure that they are above the outline rectangle (there are raise and lower commands in the object menu) and this will make it appear there is a break in the outline.
Quote from: Davefx on December 18, 2011, 12:52:09 PMAlso I want to make my knob label text arched, not sure if i can or how to do that either.. I'll get it!
I show how to do arched text right at the beginning of part 3 of the above tutorial. Keep on playing with inkscape there is so much interesting stuff there, I am still learning every time I do another decal.
Thanks again... Dave
Ok Dave thanks.. I know I always learn something everytime too.. It's like torture sometimes learning some of these programs when you aren't that savvy with them to begin with! lol
No problems I am happy to answer as many questions as I can as I am usually the one asking them when it comes to pedal stuff.
Check out part 3 of the tutorial for bending text and give it a try and let me know if you have any questions about that, or getting the little white rectangles to work or anything else really.
ok so i'm trying to get a better understanding of this program, and i have a question. how to you convert a pdf into multiple objects? I opened this pdf (http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pdf/drill/ggg_drill_125b_all.pdf?phpMyAdmin=78482479fd7e7fc3768044a841b3e85a) i want to convert it into multiple objects so that i can delete the portions i don't want. I tried tracing but for some reason i could not get it to do that. I tried ungrouping the pdf and that doesn't work either. Any more experence using have some advice for me? Thanks for any help.
From what I can tell that PDF was not created in vector fomat with multiple objects, it is just one big jpeg essentially. You can tell because when you zoom in it pixelates. What I would do with this one is copy into Inkscape, then use the "Trace Bitmap" (same as in the tutorial) which will give you a one layer vector object. You should then be able to use the Node selector (The arrow with the line underneath) to select specific parts and move them to new layers. I dont have Inkscape here (at work :P) but can do some screen shots etc when I get home.
Hey everyone,
Not sure if anyone else may find this useful, but I thought I might post it here. Attached is a vector i did of a 9V battery. Helpful if you use the normal vector packs for your layout.
All dimensions that are used I got off of a random datasheet.
Gday to all. New to this, loving the pedal building, Inkscape not so much!!! Hoping someone might be able to point me in the right direction with an inkscape problem. I've tried to research it but no luck. I have created the image and text that i want for a pedal however when i print it out it does not align with the border that i have created. Is there a way to lock them in place. I'm thinking it must be something simple that i'm missing. Thanks in advance, Matt.
Got a black background and I have a black image (object) with white text. When I bring this image (object) onto my black background it disappears. How do I bring this image (object) to the front so it can be seen?
Up at the top, under the object screen, you can bring forward/send back. Also, using layers can be effective.
Jacob
Quote from: jkokura on May 19, 2013, 08:14:50 PM
Up at the top, under the object screen, you can bring forward/send back. Also, using layers can be effective.
Jacob
That doesn't seem to be working.
I got two layers. The background is one layer than this black object is on a layer of it's own.
If it's on a lower layer, it won't be above. Layers themselves need to be in the right order.
I'm sure you understand that. Also, layers can be hidden - there's a little eye image on the layers panel. Make sure you can see the layer and it's not locked. Layers higher up in the order are above layers lower on the list.
Jacob
So I took an image copied it into Inkscape and traced it to bitmap (I think that's what it's called). This image has a bunch of circles in it. I want to fill the inside of these circles with colour. The circles in this image are each individual paths so I imagine this can't be too hard.
How would I go about doing this?
Thanks!
You could try tracing the image again, this time inverting the image. Then, you can delete the paths that you don't want from that image, and combine the two (inverted and non-inverted). Then, you can fill in the circle.
There's probably an easier method, but that's the first one that jumps to mind. I remember not being able to do what you're describing as well, and finding some sort of workaround for it.
Jacob
If the circles really are paths, then you can just select them and then pick a "fill" color. Use the palette at the bottom of the window or the fill/stroke controls (ctrl-shift-F).
edit oh wait - if they're "holes" in a bigger path, then you can try this. First, make a copy of the outer shape (the thing with holes). Make a random shape (rectangle or whatever) that's a little bigger than the hole, and make it a path (object to path). Drop the copy of the original shape over your rectangle, make sure both the shape and the rectangle are selected, and then do a "Difference". That should leave you with a complete path that's just the "hole".
Path-->Break Apart-->Edit Path(s) by Nodes-->then fill as you like
Thanks guys! You got me thinking
Stoked you got it figured out! I have found the easiest thing is often to cheat in a way. I would have drawn a new circle using the color you want, and then move it behind the original object. Or another example is when i want to make a "cut" in a border line running around the ouside of a decal for where the In Out and 9VDC labels are i will just make some white rectangles and order the objects (bottom to top: the line -> white rectangle -> text) so that it looks like the line is broken.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/kurtlives/Klon.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kurtlives/media/Klon.jpg.html)
Here's another one I've been trying to figure out. How do I round the corners here? I'd like to increase the radius a bit more.
Chris, If the perimeter line is continuous, a rectangle, double click on the line to enter the Node Edit mode, two corners will show small squares, one corner will show a small circle, grab the small circle and slide it along the side to increase the corner radius.
dave
Thanks Dave. My rectangle was a path and not an object. I redrew the rectangle as an object, radiused the corners, converted it to a path then did the cutouts I had before.
Quote from: ChrisM on October 20, 2013, 08:10:41 PM
Thanks Dave. My rectangle was a path and not an object. I redrew the rectangle as an object, radiused the corners, converted it to a path then did the cutouts I had before.
Yeah, that's about the only way to do it.
Jacob
I just downloaded inkscape, running OSx Yosemite. Does anyone remember what you type into X11 after the Bash-3.2$ prompt, to make Inkscape being. I am stumped.
Disregard please
Hey, Inkscape users! I'm trying to change a circle path back to a circle I can change into a pie piece shape. I have a circle that I changed from an object to a path. When I double click on that circle, it opens the node edit tool. So I made a clone of that circle, and need to change it to a pie shape, but when I double click on it, all I can do is edit the nodes. I want to have the same options I have when I double click on a new circle. Any thoughts of suggestions here?
Not sure if you want the piece of pie, or the pie with the piece missing, but in any case the steps are almost the same. Everyone does things a little differently but once you get the gist, you can try other ways.
Make your circle a path as you've already done. Select the node tool. Using the options that appear when you select the path, add additional nodes where you want to size the pie. Then break the circle at those nodes. Using the pen tool, draw your pie edges and snap from the circle center to one of the "broken" nodes. End your line, and repeat for node 2.
Using the node selection tool, Pick the two lines you just drew and combine them as a corner at the center. Repeat using the part of the circle you want and the joined lines, so that your path is closed. Basically you took three paths and combined them into one.
Hope this helps and apologies if anything is unclear- I'm away from my pc ATM.
Perfect! I was able to do what I was trying to do. I'm still getting comfortable with all of the path and node tools, but I'm starting to understand how to create some of the things that are floating around in my head.
awesome, my explanation was probably missing some of the finer details so I'm glad you were able to get what you needed.
Lots of options in the node edit tool and the context menus, also the boolean path edit tools.
Layers can help a lot too.