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Inkscape Lesson Plan
Shodor > SUCCEED > Curriculum > Apprentices > Inkscape Lesson Plan

Inkscape 1

6-12

Concepts

Lesson Abstract

This lesson will introduce students to Inkscape and vector graphics.

Standards Addressed

  • none.

Objectives

  • Define Vector Graphics and Inkscape. Why use it?
  • Explore simple vector graphics (included)
  • Explain Objects
  • Create basic shapes and text
  • Use Fill and Stroke palette to change object's color
  • Use Text and Font palette to edit text attributes
  • See simple use of the Pen Tool

Key Terms

none

Prerequisite Knowledge

Basic familiarity with computers (user interfaces).

Teacher Preparation

Should be comfortable with Inkscape.

Materials

Required MaterialsMediaEquipment

none

  • Inkscape software installed (www.inkscape.org)

  • Computer and projector for the instructor.
  • 1 computer per pair of students

Safety

No safety issues.

Presentation Outline

Introduction

5 minutes

  • What are vector graphics?
    • Graphics created by combining lines, shapes, or objects.
    • These objects are stored by mathematical representation, rather than using a grid of pixels.
    • Vector graphics are scalable without creating distortion, unlike bitmap graphics.
  • What is Inkscape?
    • A vector graphic editing software
    • Free software www.inkscape.org
    • Available for Linux, Macintosh, and Windows

Exploration

5 minutes

  • Open image ProgrammerArt.png
    • This image was created in Inkscape
    • What shapes do you see? Colors? Gradients?
  • Open file ProgrammerArt.svg
    • Click different shapes
    • What layers are the shapes on? (layers are at the bottom just to the right of the eye and the lock)

Physical Modeling and Measurement

0 minutes

No physical modeling in this lesson.

Computational Modeling

30 minutes

Guided Practice

Let students follow along on their computers as you demonstrate the following concepts and tools.

  • Objects
    • All shapes are objects.
    • Objects can be manipulated independent of other objects
    • Text objects can also be created
  • Basic Tools
    • Rectangle tool
      • Click and drag to create a rectangle.
      • By default, the color of the rectangle is whatever the last used color was.
      • You can use Shift+Drag to drag from the center
      • Ctrl+Drag to keep an exact ratio. This can be used to keep a perfect square.
      • Keep the square on the page
    • Circle tool
      • Click and drag to create a circle or ellipse
      • Shift+Drag to drag from center
      • Ctrl+Drag to keep ratio
    • Selection tool
      • Can be used to select objects (shapes)
      • When a shape is selected, there should be arrows around it. By default, vertical arrows should come up first. Clicking and dragging one of the arrows will change the size of the shape on that side.
      • Click on the shape again, and the arrows should become horizontal. Dragging the arrows on the faces will skew that side. Dragging the arrows on the vertices will rotate the shape.
    • Text tool
      • Click and it will allow you to enter text
      • Click+drag to create a text box that text can be entered into

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    • Fill and Stroke palette
      • The fill of a shape is the color that is inside it
      • With an object selected, click on Fill and Stroke palette.
      • On the fill tab, there are four additional tabs:
        • RGB- edit color in RGB mode
        • CMYK- edit color in CMYK mode
        • HSL- edit color in HSL mode
        • Wheel- use color wheel to edit color
        • Alpha transparency - the opacity of the object - can also be edited on any tab.

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    • Text palette
      • Used to edit text objects
      • With text object selected, click on text palette.
      • Two tabs appear:
        • Font: to edit font family, size, style, layout, and line spacing.
        • Text: to edit the text
    • Pen tool
      • This tool is the most critical for making custom shapes - any type of polygon or set of line segments.
      • Demonstrate: create any set of lines that connects back to the starting point, and you will get a closed polygon
      • Demonstrate: create a square where the top side is an arc, to demonstrate curved points.
        1. Single-click to create the straight points - at the upper left, lower left, lower right, and top right
        2. Click and drag to create a curved point - find the point halfway through where the arc should fall, and click and drag to the left.
        3. Single-click back on the starting point to close the shape

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Independent Practice

  • Allow time for students to explore the tools they have just learned.
  • Give the students a challenge to create an original image; give some requirements or ideas

Conclusion

10 minuets

  • Point out that even the limited amount of tools used so far can be used to create complex graphics
  • Ask students to recall what vector graphics means

Follow Up

0

none

Alternate Outline

0

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