Tutorial 9

Start a new A4 page in Inkscape and set the page setup to portrait. Create some Text using the Text Tool as I have done below. I have given the text a very thick Stoke (outline) of 20px and I have given the Join and the Cap a squared off end as in the image below.

I have Given the Stroke a Color of 100 Cyan, 0 Magenta, 100Yellow and 60 Black as on the Left. I have given the Fill 100 Cyan. 0 Magenta, 100 Yellow, 0 Black as on the Right.

Create an Oval Using the Oval Tool. The Oval has no Stroke and a fill of 100 Cyan, 0 Magenta, 100 Yellow, 35 Black.

Note: This Tutorial is based on the Latest Pre-Release of Inkscape which is very near final completion. The latest pre-release version is available in the form of a self installing .exe file and can be downloaded Here.

Your text will now have the filter effect applied but the preview on your page may look fuzzy. The actual artwork is in fact sharp. Hopefully this will be resolved in the final release of this version but there is a simple solution.

Select the Text with the filtered effect and choose File > Export from the main menu. Choose the settings I have on the right if you want to use the Image for the Web. You must choose a higher dpi if you wish to use the Image for publishing.

Click the OK button after you have chosen a name and destination for the file. Now Import the file you have just saved and it should be of high quality like the Image below.

Select the Jade Text Image with the Select Tool and Choose Filters > Shadows and Glows > Drop Shadow

From the Drop Shadow dialog box choose the settings I have on the Right. Click the Apply button to apply the changes. Your Image should now look like the Image below. (You can export the Image and the Import it if you prefer to see a higher quality preview).

Next we will treat the Oval, first by applying the same filter as the Jade text Filters > Bevels > Glossy Jelly. And then applying the Drop Shadow filter Filters > Shadows and Glows > Drop Shadow. Use the settings as I have in the Image on the Right for the drop shadow.

As with the Jade text you can export the Oval Image and then Import it in order to get a good idea of the Image quality. Your Oval should look like the Image on the Far right.

Select the Jade text and click on the Raise to the Top button to make sure the text is in front of the Oval. Next drag the Jade text in position on top of the Oval.

Then create a Circle and give it a red fill. After That apply the Filter....Filters > Bevels > Stained Glass. You should have a circle looking like the Image on the Left. Right click on the new Image with the filter and from the pop up menu choose 'Duplicate' . Repeat this three times and drag the duplicates away from the original and arrange them like the Image on the Right.

Use the Selection Tool to Select all the Images. There is quite a large border around these so you may have to Zoom back to select them all. Once you have selected all the Images choose Object > Group from the main menu.

Once you have Grouped the Images right click on the Group and choose 'Duplicate' to create a duplicate of the artwork. Drag the new duplicate image below the original as below.

Choose the Flip Tool as above to flip the Image as below.

Set the Opacity to 50 as above.

Choose Filters > Distort > Ripple. As above.

The final artwork with the reflection when exported as a png file will retail all the transparency and is perfect for creating Images for the Web. These filters work on all Objects in Inkscape both Vector and Bitmap. These new filters make creating special effect Text and Images a breeze and have added an exciting new dimension to Inkscape.