Episode 099 – Tilt-Shift Miniature

by heathenx

In this screencast I will illustrate how to make a tilt-shift miniature photo using Inkscape 0.47pre4.

The final image in this screencast is a little hard to see so if you want to take a look at something better then take a gander at this picture.

Also, check out Tilt-Shift Maker for an even faster way of making these images. Have fun.

Episode 098 – A Few Simple Text Treatments

by Richard Querin

In this episode, I demonstrate a few simple text treatments using Inkscape 0.46.

Nothing too technically challenging here, just a few treatments I’ve done on text in the past that I find valuable. Hopefully it will help spur people to use typography more in their designs.

At the start of this screencast I point to a great web site called The League of Moveable Type. While they only have a few fonts on there at the moment, they are committed to providing a collection of high-quality open source fonts. I commend them for that. Thanks to Troy for pointing me to that site. I’ve already found a couple of fonts there that I’ve used in some of my projects.

Episode 097 – Retro Style Curves

by heathenx

In this screencast I will demonstrate how to pattern along a path to make retro style curves in Inkscape 0.46.

I apologize for the piss-poor quality of this screencast. I rushed it because I was being rushed. Unfortunately, I’m not going to have a lot of time to screencast in the next week or two so it was either today or not at all. Good enough will have to do.

Episode 096 – Axonometric Grids

by Richard Querin

In this episode, I demonstrate how to use Inkscape’s Axonometric Grid feature to create some simple isometric illustrations.

Note: Tom pointed out in the comments that I didn’t really explain how to get a rectangle (or text etc) onto that isometric plane. I used a simple technique for the text in the intro to this episode which I didn’t explain in the video. It’s quite useful when you’re creating diagrams. So I’ve decided to point to a PDF file I’ve created explaining this technique. It’s actually very easy. Thanks Tom. Here’s the tutorial pdf file.

While most of you won’t notice much difference in the video (hopefully), apart from some final transcoding to ogv and flv formats, I put this one together using Blender. So you might notice a short fade out to black at the end and a short cross fade between the sped-up intro and the main screencast. I’m really a big fan of editing video in Blender and it was nice to see that I could do the video editing with it. As my skills improve hopefully the end results will get better.

Also arguably noteworthy is the fact that I used my Snowflake mic to record the audio on this one. It’s still far from perfect (it sounds a little overmodulated to me at times), but I think it’s better than the noisy hum-ridden Logitech headset that I’ve been using. I’m definitely going to tweak the positioning of it.

If anybody’s interested in attending the Ohio Linux Fest on September 25,26 in Columbus, both Heathenx and I will be there. Drop us a note in the comments if you’ll be attending and maybe we can meet up.

**** Note: I think there is something wrong with the streaming OGV file. The flash version plays fine (in non Firefox3.5 browsers) but when viewing the streaming ogv file in FF3.5 it seems to stop right after the inital 12 sec intro. At least on my machine. I’d really like others to fill me in on whether or not the streaming ogv file played correctly in their FF3.5 browsers for them.

**** Update: I’ve temporarily made the streaming version Flash for everybody so it should stream fine now. We’ll switch it back once we get it fixed.

**** Update 2: Heathenx has saved the day and corrected the problem. It’s now ogv and working fine.

Episode 095 – Coffee Stain

by heathenx

In this episode I’ll take a look at creating a coffee stain in Inkscape v0.46.

Episode 094 – Inkscape, Blender, and Gimp Merry-Go-Round

by heathenx

In this screencast I will demonstrate how to pull Inkscape, Blender and Gimp together in order to produce some artwork. I will be using Inkscape 0.46, Blender 2.49a, and Gimp 2.6.6.

I have been wanting to screencast Blender along with Inkscape for quite sometime now. I tried to keep this tutorial rather simple for the sake of the screencast but I’m pretty sure the real artist in you can take the fundamentals and expand on it.  I have to say that combining Inkscape and Blender artwork is rather fun and once you get the hang of Blender then you might find yourself in it all of the time. Here’s an example of a Blender bottle that I modeled from an Inkscape sketch. The bottle was rendered out of Blender and brought into Inkscape where I had added a 2D label. Spic and span.

I would like to thank Christian from Chrisdesign for giving me the inspiration.

If you want to examine the files that I used for this screencast then grab the archive from here.

Update: Sorry everyone. I forgot to attach the Stereofidelic font that I used. It can be found here.

Episode 093 – Circular Arrows

by Richard Querin

In this tutorial I demonstrate one way of creating a set of circular arrows using Inkscape 0.46. This method is applicable to all sorts of paths (not just circles).

Viewer Stefan Timm emailed in a question a couple of weeks back inquiring how to accomplish this. And while not all emailed questions get answered with a screencast episode, this one ended up being quick, useful and likely valuable for illustrating the more general concept of placing objects on a path in Inkscape.

Seeing as how heathenx has figured our way out of the video format mess for the moment (see this), note that Firefox 3.5 users should get a nice streaming ogg file, while others will see a streaming flash version. Of course everybody can download the ogg and view offline. But by all means, if you have problems, let us know in the comments to this post, we want to make sure our viewers are happy (or at least not too miffed!)

ps. The sound on this one should be significantly better than my last episode (091). I went back to my older Logitech headset which got rid of most of the hum and leaned a little less on noise reduction in Audacity. It’s far from perfect but definitely better I think.

Episode 092 – Custom Markers

by heathenx

In this screencast I will demonstrate how to make custom markers in Inkscape 0.46.

I was hoping that episode 090 was going to be my last screencast using version 0.46. The soon to be released version 0.47 is not quite ready yet so I’ll have to be patient.

Also, I planned on waiting to release this episode until next week since Richard just posted episode 091. However, we could use some more OGG testing in browsers…so here’s another to fool around with. Regarding online viweing on this episode, I’m using a java applet (Cortado) as a fall-back for those not using Firefox 3.5 or for those who do not have the HTML5 Theora video tag support in their browser of choice.

Episode 091 – Comic Bubbles

by Richard Querin

In this tutorial I demonstrate how to create simple comic-style speech and action bubbles using Inkscape 0.46. This one is relatively short and simple. I have seen a few different ways people create these types of things, and I think the method I use here is one of the simplest and most customizable.

This episode marks our switchover to the OGG format. Heathenx will be posting about it soon with more details, however if you’re using Firefox 3.5 (or beta versions of Google Chrome, Opera, Safari, or any other browser that supports HTML5) you should be able to view the episode right in your browser. If you don’t, you can download the ogg file and view it offline. We recommend SMPlayer or VLC for that.

Given the aforementioned change in format, we fully expect to hear about any problems or questions in the comments to this post. Feel free to tell us how it works (or if it doesn’t) and we’ll help out in any way we can if you have problems.

Hope you like it.

Episode 090 – Create a CD/DVD Jewel Case

by heathenx

In this episode I’ll draw a simple CD/DVD jewel case in Inkscape 0.46.

I got the inspiration for this screencast from GraphicRiver.net. I cut some corners in this episode in an attempt to reduce my recording time. Feel free to compare my final image with the original and add what I left out or add your own spices to it.

Also, here is the color palette that I used. Use it to get you started but tweak the colors further for your own tastes.

Episode 089 – All That and A Bowl of Soup

by Richard Querin

In this tutorial I demonstrate how to create a semi-realistic looking spoon and bowl using Inkscape 0.46. Using only a few different tools and techniques, you can get some pretty attractive results in a very short time.

Not much to say here except you’ll have to excuse my cat at around the 9 minute mark. He’s normally quite quiet when I record, but this time I guess he had some issues to get off his chest.

Hope you enjoy it.

Episode 088 – Wrap Text Around a Globe

by heathenx

In this episode I will demonstrate how to wrap text around a three-dimensional globe in Inkscape v.046.

I used a fairly new extension from Gerrit Karius (aka G33K) called Bezier Envelope. If you want to follow along or use the Bezier Envelope for whatever future purpose then be sure to download it here. Thanks Gerrit.

Episode 087 – Paint Splatter on Textured Background

by Richard Querin

In this tutorial I show a quick way of creating a fairly realistic looking paint splatter on a textured background. This technique is useful not only for paint splatters but wherever you want to place a text, logo or other graphic on top of a textured background like fabric, concrete, wood etc. and have it look somewhat realistic.

Note that this is a blatant rip-off of Heathenx’s episode 059. But if you the viewer have no problem with that, then neither do I. Whether Heathenx really get’s upset or not is another matter. But is that of utmost importance to me? Not so much.

Note also that in the midst of doing this screencast, I also show a little technique tip for the Gimp related to converting images from colour to Black and White. This tip is likely even more useful for those trying to achieve nice conversions of colour photos to black and white. It gives you much more control than just doing a single click greyscale conversion.

Apologies for any background hum you might hear. I did this one on the new laptop and there is something to do with my Logitech USB headset and the laptop which is causing the humming to kind of go in and out at times. I hope it’s not too annoying.

Episode 086 – Animated Presentations with JessyInk

by heathenx

In this tutorial I will take a look at a brilliant set of extensions for Inkscape called JessyInk, by author Hannes Hochreiner, that allows one to make animated presentations. I used Inkscape version 0.46.

If you would like to see how JessyInk works then check out Hannes’ sample presentation file that he has included with the extensions. Just use your arrow keys to navigate forward and backward in your browser.

On behalf of Inkscape users everywhere, I would like to thank Hannes for these extensions. I love being able to make presentations in Inkscape now. It’s just another excuse to use my favorite application. In addition, I have had a long standing curiousity of javascript in SVG files and this definately helps me understand things a little better.

Update: Hannes has made some improvements and additions recently. One noticeable addition includes a new “Summary” tool that lists information about about your presentation. Pretty handy.

Episode 085 – Create a Blackboard Image

by heathenx

In this episode I’ll attempt to draw a relatively simple blackboard image and simulate a chalk text effect in Inkscape 0.46.

In this screencast I used a couple textures that you may download here. Also, I used a font called “Eraser” by David Rakowski. Please download those if you wish to play along.

Episode 084 – Make Your Digital Image Stand Out

by heathenx

In this screencast I will demonstrate a technique for de-colorizing an unimportant part of a raster image and emphasizing other areas with color in Inkscape v0.46.

This tutorial is basic and quick…perfect for Inkscape novice.

Episode 083 – Torn Paper Effect

by Richard Querin

In this episode I demonstrate one way of creating a torn paper effect using Inkscape 0.46.

I make use of the Freehand tool along with the Add Nodes and Jitter Nodes path effects to achieve a decent looking torn paper edge. Also, in this screencast I use a wallpaper pattern image from the cgtextures.com site which I highly recommend if you’re looking for patterns and textures for your graphics projects.

This was a relatively short one at around 15 minutes. Also, by the time I recorded the intro, I realized that I could have selected all my paths and done the Add Nodes and Jitter Nodes step to all of them at once instead of the silly way I did each one separately. Ah well, you live and learn I guess.

You could probably make use of a torn paper effect for lots of web design stuff as well as for scrapbooking and other things – a generally useful method to add to your graphics toolbox.

Hope you like it.

Episode 082 – Vector Tennis Ball

by heathenx

In this episode I will take an excellent tutorial of a vector tennis ball provided to me by Christian of Chrisdesign and recreate that in Inkscape 0.46.

Thank-you, Christian, for providing me with an excellent topic for a screencast. Be sure to check out Chrisdesign blog for some excellent Inkscape tutorials.  I believe Christian will be adding other sports related tutorials to go along with this one so be sure to check out his website often. I have seen some amazing stuff coming from this guy. He’s an exceptional artist.

Grab the Viper Nora font and tennis ball palette if you wish to play along.

Episode 081 – Create a Pencil Icon

by heathenx

In this episode I hope to take a Photoshop tutorial of a classy pencil icon and adapt that to Inkscape 0.46.

I would like to thank Eren Goksel, a fabulous artist, and PSDTUTS.com, a fabulous Photoshop tutorial website for providing the inspiration for this screencast. I am a fan of both. Be sure to visit PSDTUTS and check out their other tutorials as well. The original pencil how-to can be found here.

Episode 080 – Drawing a Light Switch

by Richard Querin

In this episode I create a pseudo-realistic looking lightswitch using Inkscape v0.46.

There are a few valuable tips in this episode including the use of path and node snapping, gradients, creating slotted screwheads, and a couple of other things which could be useful on lots of other projects.

This probably is my longest episode to date. This is partly because I had a separate small idea that didn’t merit it’s own episode and yet wasn’t useful enough for a microsode, so I stuck it in at the end. If you want to see what it was you can either watch through to the end or skip ahead to about the 26min mark if you find yourself falling asleep .

Also, I’d like to thank Heathenx (and his previous episode) for allowing me to finally break out of the closet and show my true musical tastes. Thanks buddy!