In this post I’ll be explaining all 21 Inkscape tools and uses, along with a brief demonstration of how they work. Inkscape is an open source vector graphics application similar to Adobe Illustrator. It has much more to offer than just the 21 tools located in its toolbar, but this guide should serve as a good starting point for understanding the basics of Inkscape if you’re new to the software.
Inkscape Tools and Uses |
|||
| Select and Transform |  |
The Select tool allows you to activate, move, rotate, shear, and scale single or multiple objects at a time. |  |
| Edit Paths By Nodes |  |
The Edit Paths By Nodes tool allows you to alter the properties of a vector object relative to its coordinates on the X and Y axis. Editable properties include nodes (or coordinate points of an object) and lines. |  |
| Tweak Objects |  |
The Tweak Objects tool allows you to make compound alterations to multiple objects, paths, and colors at a time. Alterations include moving multiple objects at once, shrinking, rotating, or duplicating them. It also allows you to make adjustments based on colors and blurs. |  |
| Zoom |  |
The Zoom tool allows you to increase or decrease your view of the canvas. You can zoom in to see fine details, zoom out to get a more complete view of the canvas, or set the view ratio to 1:1 in order to see how the canvas looks at full size. |  |
| Measurement |  |
The Measurement tool allows you to assess the length, width, height, radius, or diameter of specific objects in the following units of measurement: px, mm, pc, pt, in, cm. |  |
| Squares and Rectangles |  |
The Squares and Rectangles tool is used to create 4-sided vector objects, including squares and rectangles. The tool allows you to create rectangles with either perfect right angle corners or rounded corners to varying degrees. |  |
| 3D Boxes |  |
The 3D Boxes tool allows you to quickly create three-sided vector boxes that appear as if they’re three-dimensional. The X, Y, and Z axis can be adjusted indepently in order to determine the box’s width, height, and depth. |  |
| Circles, Ellipses, and Arcs |  |
The Circles, Ellipses, and Arcs tool can be used to create vector objects with curved edges, including circles and ellipses. The tool also allows you to create partial ellipses in pie chart style. |  |
| Stars and Polygons |  |
The Stars and Polygons tool allows you to create both stars and polygons. When creating stars, you’ll be able to determine the number of corners the star has, the spoke ratio between each star, and you can choose to give your star rounded corners as well. When creating polygons, you’ll be able to determine the number of sides/corners and you can choose to make them rounded if you’d like. |  |
| Spirals |  |
The Spirals tool is used to create vector paths that follow a spiral trajectory. The tool allows you to adjust the number of turns the spiral has as well as its divergence from its center point. |  |
| Draw Freehand Lines |  |
The Draw Freehand Lines tool is used to draw vector paths that follow the trajectory of your hand movement. |  |
| Bezier Pen |  |
The Bezier Pen is used to create vector paths by creating a series of individual points known as nodes. The paths can have straight edges or curved edges. |  |
| Draw Calligraphic or Brush Strokes |  |
The Draw Calligraphic or Brush Strokes tool allows you to create freehand vector objects using a classic brush stroke and shape of your choosing. |  |
| Text Objects |  |
The Text Objects tool is used to create vector text and wording of your choosing. It allows you to flow your text into a bounding box, or simply generate it all on one line. You can also adjust the font, size, orientation, spacing between letters and words, as well as various other adjustments. |  |
| Spray Objects |  |
The Spray Objects tool allows you to generate vector objects by spraying them onto the canvas based on a shape of your choosing. |  |
| Erase Existing Paths |  |
The Erase tool is used to delete segments of vector paths in a freestyle technique that is based on the trajectory of your hand movement. |  |
| Fill Bounded Areas |  |
The Fill Bounded Areas tool, commonly known as the bucket fill tool, allows you to fill empty spaces with a predetermined fill color. In order for the tool to work, the area you’re filling in must be completely surrounded by a closed path. It will not work on empty spaces that bleed out into the open canvas. |  |
| Create and Edit Gradients |  |
The Create and Edit Gradients tool allows you to give vector objects multiple colors that fade into each other, otherwise known as gradients. The tool also allows you to edit the gradients based on colors used, number of colors, and the position of the colors relative to the object the gradient is being applied to. The gradients can follow either a linear (straight) or radial (rounded) path. |  |
| Meshes |  |
The Meshes tool is used to give vector objects a gradient that follows a grid (mesh) or a cone shape (conical). |  |
| Pick Colors From Image |  |
The Pick Colors From Image tool, commonly referred to as the dropper, allows you to set an object’s fill and stroke color based on another object’s color. The tool allows you to sample colors from both vector and raster images. |  |
| Diagram Connectors |  |
The Diagram Connectors tool allows you to create diagrams by generating paths and boxes that link objects together. |  |
The Select Tool
Watch the video below for a more in-dept explanation of the Select Tool, which is probably the tool you’ll be using more frequently than any other.
The video above is from my Inkscape Master Class — a series of 50+ videos where I go over every tool and feature in Inkscape and explain what it is and demonstrate how it works. If you’re looking for a more in-depth explanation of all Inkscape tools and uses, including every other feature and function Inkscape has to offer, then feel free to check it out! I’ll be there to help if you have any questions.
You are a pro Nick. So much appreciate all your work
Stupid issues w defaults.
Want Rulers in, inches but it I change both unit boxes in doc properties to inches, then in the fill & stroke box, I continuously have to change the stroke width unit back to px! So frustrating.
So I leave my main doc properties units in mm, then I think the strike width stays as pixels.. does this make sense.
Going to try to alter the default page but don’t think we’ll make a difference
This is one of Inkscape’s annoying quirks. Try setting your preferred units and then saving the document as the default template.
I fell sorry for you!
Hi, am your regular follower on youtube. I learned Inkscape and gimp from your tutorials, and now am planning to join your master course. As a blogger, this is really useful to create my own graphics and designs. Thank you.
Glad to help!
Hi.
I’m looking at the Masterclass but wondering if the course focuses on how each tool and feature works or if there are ‘project’ lessons that accompany the learning so that once a tool or feature is explained in can be put into use during a ‘Now you know what it does, we are going to make this’ type lesson
Thanks in advance.
Hi Anton, there aren’t any project lessons. It’s just a series of videos where I demonstrate how each tool works and go over all of the settings and details associated with it.
Hy I’m a web developer I advice you to take out the load page because it’s taking too long and thanks
Hi, thanks for the tip. What load page are you referring to specifically?
HI! Thank you so much for your tutorial.
I wanted to request if you could make tutorials on grain texture shading to make
object look 3D. I really like the way you explain things. So it would be really
helpful if you could make a tutorial on that.
Thanks Again!😊
I just want to say, “BULA” it means, LIFE, Lively or and HI… its has been my 2nd year with Inkscape and still learning. So, a (Vinaka Valevu), in English, “Big Thank You” from Fiji for your YouTube tutorials. All your YouTube tutorials are so clear with instructions with the paths and clicks, well after few repeats or constant rewind of a video. I do managed my finances for Data bundle from three ISP in Fiji but am with a longing feeling of a Visa Card, for something like your Master Classes. But anyways, for third world nation like Republic of SIX, SEVEN, NINE islands (AREA CODE FOR “FIJI”), where I am from. I truly say with honesty from my heart, am grateful for your “eye”mazing, YouTube tutorials. WOW, now, after reading this, I can see few ideas for great designs.
OH, everytime it is always great to have that “Wow” feeling after reading your all blogs. Like, still on my christmas robbery list or sorry christmas wish list, the blog about the best Drawing Tablet “Wacom Intuos WPH” and the Best Graphic Design Laptops Under $1000.00, yeah okay in USD and twice in FJD, even for the Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop i7 in FJD. Bro, just 3D print my Jason Statham mask, and see the mask can make me fight some rich chinees here in Fiji. Okay, okay big story…anyways ..One Love and big Island respect…
What does locking a layer do? Also can you layer in Inkscape? Ps Happy Inktober
Locking a layer means you can’t click or edit anything on that layer. It holds everything in place.
Always great information and us novices really appreciate all the time and effort you put in to helping others. Thank you!
Thanks Jeff!
Thanks, Nick. Once again, great tutorial! Can’t wait to dig into the Master Classes.
Enjoy!
Your articles and tutorials have been really helpful. I plan to sign up for your Master Class soon. Thank you so much.
Thanks Aaron!
Great tutorial. Thanks a lot.
👍
I am getting a problem in using the “outset” tool of Inkscape, the object is getting distorted when I outset. Can you help me out?
Try making the object larger then try again. The outset function is far from perfect, and it will distort your object if it’s at a small size. You can also try using dynamic offset instead.
thanks a lot, your youtube tutorials are super helpful,
thanks nick. I started to follow your blog posts even though im not a designer.
Awesome. All are welcome 🙂
Hi Buddy, How Are u…How to Warks Tool
Great tutorial Nick. Learned some things I didn’t know that will make designs easier. One thing you mention is a locked object, I know I am over looking it but I can’t seem to locate how to lock the background object while manually tracing a design.
Thanks
Buddy
Hi Buddy, I would put the background image on its own layer, then lock the layer. You can access the layer menu by pressing control + shift + L