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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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