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==Setting up the page==

==[[Digital technologies/Laser cutting/Vector graphics- Beginner/Setting up the page|Setting up the page]]==

The Document Properties menu can be accessed from the File>Document Properties or the keyboard shortcut Shift+Ctrl+D. From here we can change our page size to either a standard size or a Custom size. Although not necessary, it is recommended that you set your page size to match either the dimensions of your material or the dimensions of the laser cutter so that you have a clearer understanding of your working area.  

The Document Properties menu can be accessed from the File>Document Properties or the keyboard shortcut Shift+Ctrl+D. From here we can change our page size to either a standard size or a Custom size. Although not necessary, it is recommended that you set your page size to match either the dimensions of your material or the dimensions of the laser cutter so that you have a clearer understanding of your working area.  

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[[File:DocumentProperties.png|thumb|Screenshot of the Document Properties menu|alt=|center]]

[[File:DocumentProperties.png|thumb|Screenshot of the Document Properties menu|alt=|center]]

[[File:ShapesToolbar.png|thumb|Screenshot of the Shapes Tools]]

[[File:ShapesToolbar.png|thumb|Screenshot of the Shapes Tools]]

==Creating Shapes==

===Creating Shapes===

The shapes toolbar can be accessed on the left hand side of your screen. The most commonly used shape tools for laser cutting would be the rectangle, circle, and polygon tools. Each shape you create using the tools will display one or more handles that will either affect the dimensions or shape of the created object (i.e. adding rounded edges to a rectangle, or making a semi-circle).  

The shapes toolbar can be accessed on the left hand side of your screen. The most commonly used shape tools for laser cutting would be the rectangle, circle, and polygon tools. Each shape you create using the tools will display one or more handles that will either affect the dimensions or shape of the created object (i.e. adding rounded edges to a rectangle, or making a semi-circle).  

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==Moving, Scaling, Rotating, and Skewing==

===Moving, Scaling, Rotating, and Skewing===

First click and select the desired object until the straight, eight arrow shaped handles appear:

First click and select the desired object until the straight, eight arrow shaped handles appear:

[[File:ScaleHandles.png|center|thumb|A rectangle object with handles that affect scale]]

[[File:ScaleHandles.png|center|thumb|A rectangle object with handles that affect scale]]

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==Multiple Selections and Grouping==

 

===Multiple Selections and Grouping===

Sometimes you may need to move or change multiple objects at once, this is where multiple selections may be useful. To select multiple objects simultaneously you may either hold shift while clicking your desired objects, or hold down left click to drag a selection box around all your desired objects (This is called rubber band selection). If multiple objects are selected at once, any transformations, scaling, or rotation will affect them all simultaneously.

Sometimes you may need to move or change multiple objects at once, this is where multiple selections may be useful. To select multiple objects simultaneously you may either hold shift while clicking your desired objects, or hold down left click to drag a selection box around all your desired objects (This is called rubber band selection). If multiple objects are selected at once, any transformations, scaling, or rotation will affect them all simultaneously.

[[File:FillandStroke.png|thumb|The Fill and Stroke menu]]

[[File:FillandStroke.png|thumb|The Fill and Stroke menu]]

==Fill and Stroke==

===Fill and Stroke===

The most important menu for vector design in the context of laser cutting, the Fill and Stroke menu allows you to edit the fill paint, stroke paint, and stroke style of a selected object. To access this menu select Object>Fill and Stroke or simply press Shift+Ctrl+F.

The most important menu for vector design in the context of laser cutting, the Fill and Stroke menu allows you to edit the fill paint, stroke paint, and stroke style of a selected object. To access this menu select Object>Fill and Stroke or simply press Shift+Ctrl+F.

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==Align and Distribute==

===Align and Distribute===

Unless you wish to place your objects completely randomly, chances are you want your objects placed in a way relative to one another (centered, leftmost, topmost, etc…), in which case the Align and Distribute menu may be useful. To access the Align and Distribute menu, go to Object>Align and Distribute or press Shift+Ctrl+A.  

Unless you wish to place your objects completely randomly, chances are you want your objects placed in a way relative to one another (centered, leftmost, topmost, etc…), in which case the Align and Distribute menu may be useful. To access the Align and Distribute menu, go to Object>Align and Distribute or press Shift+Ctrl+A.  

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[[File:AlignAndDistrubte.png|center|thumb|The Align and Distribute menu]]

[[File:AlignAndDistrubte.png|center|thumb|The Align and Distribute menu]]

==Preparing Files for the Laser Cutter==

==[[Digital technologies/Laser cutting/Vector graphics- Beginner/Preparing Files for the Laser Cutter|Preparing Files for the Laser Cutter]]==

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   [[File:StrokeStyle.png|thumb|Ensure that the stroke width is set to 0.001 inches if you intend for the lines to be cut]]Before saving your file, you must keep in mind which vectors you would like to be cut, and which ones you wish to be engraved. Lines that are meant to be cut must be defined at a stroke width of '''0.001 inches'''. Using the Fill and Stroke menu, ensure that the lines wished to be cut are at the correct width and are solid in opacity and black in colour. You’ll notice that these strokes may become difficult to see, so it is recommended to save this step for the very end.   

   [[File:StrokeStyle.png|thumb|Ensure that the stroke width is set to 0.001 inches if you intend for the lines to be cut]]Before saving your file, you must keep in mind which vectors you would like to be cut, and which ones you wish to be engraved. Lines that are meant to be cut must be defined at a stroke width of '''0.001 inches'''. Using the Fill and Stroke menu, ensure that the lines wished to be cut are at the correct width and are solid in opacity and black in colour. You’ll notice that these strokes may become difficult to see, so it is recommended to save this step for the very end.   

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==Other resources==

==[[Digital technologies/Laser cutting/Vector graphics- Beginner/Resources|Resources]]==

* '''Inkscape Extensions:''' Allows you to add other funtionality that the basic inkscape software do not pocess. Reviewed extensions can be installed directly from Inkscape's Extension Manager. To manually install a new extension, download and unpack the archive file. Copy the files into the directory listed at Edit > Preferences > System: User extensions. After a restart of Inkscape, the new extension will be available.  

* '''Inkscape Extensions:''' Allows you to add other functionality that the basic inkscape software do not process. Reviewed extensions can be installed directly from Inkscape's Extension Manager. To manually install a new extension, download and unpack the archive file. Copy the files into the directory listed at Edit > Preferences > System: User extensions. After a restart of Inkscape, the new extension will be available.

* For more resources on inkscape capabilities, navigate to https://inkscape.org/gallery/

* For more resources on inkscape capabilities, navigate to https://inkscape.org/gallery/