UX help for inkscape - project ideas?
by Máirín Duffy
Hi everyone,
I've recently become involved in an opportunity to work with a graduate
level college class on a semester-long project potentially on a regular
basis starting this fall. The class is on information science and the
students have skills in UX as well as info processing such as machine
learning. The projects have a scope of 15 weeks, and involve 2-3 grad
students working roughly 9 hours/week and presenting them at the end of
the class
I am putting together a list of potential project abstracts for the
professor running the class and thought it might be neat to include an
Inkscape potential project idea. I was wondering if there are any
specific projects within Inkscape that might be good for this kind of
project? I would be willing to serve as the mentor / liaision for the
students.
One idea that came to mind was perhaps the students could look into the
new alternative glyphs work Tav did (as he mentioned, "The GUI
leaves a bit to be desired"), come up with some UI mockups / proposals,
maybe do some usability testing on prototypes, and present their
recommendations to you guys at the end?
What do you think?
Cheers,
~m
5 years, 11 months
Marketing Inkscape - Survey Preview
by Ryan Gorley
Hello all,
I have been in communication with Martin and Maren about assisting with
some marketing on the project. I am a designer and marketer by profession.
You can read the conversation
<http://forum.inkscapecommunity.com/index.php?topic=497.0> that got this
all started if you're interested, but in short, I feel passionately about
helping Inkscape succeed.
I am emailing to get your feedback on a survey I would like to begin
collecting responses for. As I see it, growing users and growing
contributors are two sides of the same coin for any successful FOSS
project. This particular survey is focusing on the user side of that coin.
My intent is to help develop criteria for, and consensus around, who our
primary markets for Inkscape should be. A free and open application is of
course for anyone to use for any reason. However, because our resources in
marketing this application are finite, we really need to clarify and
prioritize to have any hope for success.
So here is the survey: https://goo.gl/forms/ReZkSjOMokkaoSln2
*Don't spend your time responding (yet)*. I would like to make sure I'm
covering the right user segments here, so do email me with your thoughts.
I'm glad to meet you all and thanks for the help!
Ryan Gorley @ Dijt <https://dijt.co/>
5 years, 11 months
[Gitlab Migration] Computers doing computer things
by Ted Gould
Hey folks,
Things are going well, they just take a while. Got about 20 out of 100
branches converted over. I'm a little worried that it might take beyond
I'm willing to stay up tomorrow evening as the last test import took
about 18 hours (then run the address sanitizer and upload). I'll
continue to give progress tomorrow, but I wanted to give folks a heads
up in case it takes a bit longer than originally expected.
Cheers,
Ted
5 years, 11 months
Re: [Inkscape-devel] Marketing Inkscape - Survey Preview
by Ryan Gorley
Hello All,
You probably saw that I pushed out a link to the survey in the user list.
I've also pushed it out on inkscapecommunity.com. Anywhere else you
recommend? The more that participate, the better. If you use Twitter,
Mastodon, or Google Plus, please help give my posts a boost by re-sharing
at these links:
- https://twitter.com/ryangorley/status/872293309586079744
- https://mastodon.social/web/statuses/8227527
- https://plus.google.com/u/0/105767379162162441315/posts/VZjttRuDaLU
Or share the original link (https://goo.gl/forms/ReZkSjOMokkaoSln2) to your
hordes of fans however you wish. :)
Thanks for the help and if you haven't take the survey yet, please do.
Ryan Gorley @ Dijt <https://dijt.co/>
On Mon, May 1, 2017 at 4:48 PM, Ryan Gorley <ryan@...3508...> wrote:
> There's actually a fairly short list of things that would make
>> Inkscape ideal for graphic design.
>
>
> If graphic designers are our primary audience, then we need to look very
> seriously at closing that gap, and *beyond* at how we can make Inkscape
> better than alternatives in terms of usability, features, and performance.
>
> Product design, on the other hand will
>> pull it into territory that is better left for 3D modeling and CAD
>> programs. There are already specialist FLOSS programs for this, also
>> vector based (Blender, FreeCAD, etc.). From this perspective, graphic
>
> design is the only choice with enough general overlapping
>> functionality to make it useful for the broadest range of applications
>> related to what Inkscape does best - 2D vector graphics.
>>
>
> Makes sense to me. I'm not sure how many people are using the tool this
> way.
>
>
>> The reason designers are entrenched in the Adobe "ecosystem" is that's
>> what is taught in university, and when they look for alternatives,
>> there aren't any programs that fit the bill entirely for vector
>> graphics. They are looking to replace Illustrator, the functionality
>> of which isn't covered by any other FLOSS project. In fact, Inkscape
>> is key to making pro graphic design possible on Linux. Adobe isn't
>> even an option on Linux. So a decision to move away from graphic
>> design would be a quite terrible loss for all manner FLOSS artists.
>
>
> I agree. And just to clarify, I'm not advocating abandoning anyone, I am
> just hoping to identify a market who could be persuaded to use Inkscape on
> its own merits now (or in the near future), and not strictly because it is
> the only vector drawing tool available on Linux or that it's free of charge.
>
>
>> That's true, if tools (in Inkscape) are built to utilise the svg spec
>
> to produce pain-free vector animations (for example), or style sheets
>> that integrate easily with web content, all those things will be
>> beneficial to designers of all types. Producing software that takes
>> the complexity out of it is good for both techies, and non techies
>> alike.
>>
>
> Yes, yes, yes!
>
>
>> Mac support is something to work on, but the fact remains, there
>> really are not any other good options for vector illustration on
>> Linux. I think a FLOSS focused vector program should fill the gap in
>> tools for FLOSS operating systems as a primary goal, regardless of
>> what other more popular OSes are out there.
>
>
> It's a worthy goal, and I would sure appreciate it because I use desktop
> Linux. :) From a marketing standpoint, however, I'm not sure we're going to
> find new interest and greater adoption from the few of us on Linux, since
> we really don't have any choice anyway. Let's not abandon Linux users, but
> we must also acknowledge that statistically speaking almost everyone else
> is different than us in this regard. Once they're using Inkscape, maybe
> there will not be as much keeping those graphic designers back from using
> Linux also.
>
>
>> We gain no ground by being
>> afraid to go up against Adobe's Creative Suite.
>>
>
> Believe me, I'd love to take them on. We can't ignore their dominance in
> the graphic design market however. The only way to beat a giant like Adobe
> is to use their strength against them. They have an entrenched user-base,
> who will keep them back from trying new and innovative things, especially
> in regards to workflows and interface design, because people don't
> generally like to change the way they do things. This makes them slow. They
> are also trying to be a tool for as many people as possible. This makes
> their software complex. And lastly they have broad adoption in the market
> and have more to lose than to gain by trying new things. This makes them
> risk averse. To beat them we cannot be these same things.
>
>
>> I submit that the path of least resistance is not necessarily the path
>> to success. Making Inkscape for a niche group of readily accepting
>> users will keep Inkscape a niche program used by a small segment of
>> the population, and it will leave a large segment of designers who
>> want to use free software waiting for something else to replace
>> Inkscape as their vector editor. Right now, nothing else comes close.
>>
>
> I totally agree. And thank your for engaging in this conversation. It
> helps a lot!
>
5 years, 11 months
Fwd: Re: last used style
by Miguel Lopez
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: Re: [Inkscape-devel] last used style
Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2017 05:57:11 +0200
From: Olof Bjarnason <olof.bjarnason@...400...><mailto:olof.bjarnason@...400...>
To: Miguel Lopez <reptillia39@...3425...><mailto:reptillia39@...3425...>
+100.
Den 1 juni 2017 05:33 skrev "Miguel Lopez" <reptillia39@...3425...<mailto:reptillia39@...3425...>>:
I only use last used style as a workaround to not being able to set up
fill/stroke before I create a object akin to Illustrator. You know what
would save time? Being able to set up fill/stroke before a creation of a
object, and at any time akin to Illustrator. In Illustrator, you go
change the fill, and stroke, and objects will be created with those
before you even make a object.
On 5/31/2017 11:24 PM, brynn wrote:
> Hi Friends,
> I've been trying to get my nerve up to ask about this, since I
> first used Inkscape, 10 years ago. So here goes.
>
> Can anyone give me a good reason for having all the tools
> styles set, by default, to last used style?
>
> In 10 years, I have never met, seen, or heard of anyone who
> needs this feature; while we have to answer this same general problem
> for newbies over and over and over again. Countless times I've
> answered these messages. I'll bet I don't even need to give examples,
> do I?
>
> I would guess it's the single biggest stumbling block for
> newbies. It certainly must be the single most asked question by
> newbies. At least in forums, and probably LP Answers.
>
> I can imagine rare scenarios, where someone might actually use
> this feature. But if I want an object the exact same style as the one
> before, I simply duplicate (or copy/paste, or paste style). So it's a
> mystery to me why last used style should be the default behavior, when
> we have all these other perfectly suitable features, which don't cause
> newbies (and those who help them) so many headaches.
>
> I understand if we might not want to throw it out the window
> ((although that's what I would do with it, haha)). But is there any
> chance we could at least not have it to be the default behavior?
>
> When we first download and open Inkscape for the first time,
> all the tools have a characteristic style. If I recall, it's a pink
> rectangle, light blue circle, yellow star, and green spiral, with
> darker tones for the strokes, and all partially transparent. And for
> Pencil and Pen, I guess it's the black stroke.
>
> Could we just keep those styles, but set all the tools for
> "This tool's own style" instead of "Last used style"? And could we
> have this the default behavior for when newbies first install Inkscape?
>
> Oh, it would save us SO, so much time, those of us who answer
> newbie questions, day in and day out. I'd be so happy to write up a
> bug/feature request report for this, if there isn't some serious
> objection.
>
> Thanks for listening,
> brynn
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most
> engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot
> _______________________________________________
> Inkscape-devel mailing list
> Inkscape-devel(a)lists.sourceforge.net<mailto:Inkscape-devel@lists.sourceforge.net>
> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/inkscape-devel
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most
engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot
_______________________________________________
Inkscape-devel mailing list
Inkscape-devel(a)lists.sourceforge.net<mailto:Inkscape-devel@lists.sourceforge.net>
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/inkscape-devel
5 years, 11 months
News item about the new manual work?
by brynn
Hi Friends,
As I'm writing up a quick draft to announce the upcoming hackfest, I
suddenly wondered if it might be a good idea to write a short item about the
recent new work on the new manual?
I could do that, after I finish the hackfest article. I'm thinking
Maren might be able to get all the details correct, the first time around?
Although I don't mean to volunteer her. As I said, I could do it myself, if we
decide to do it.
I think it would help in community-building, to keep the wider community
up to date about these things. What do other manual workers and Docs list
subscribers think?
All best,
brynn
5 years, 11 months
All hands to Merge Requests!
by Martin Owens
Dear developers,
There are 23 active merge requests into our bzr branch system. Please go to:
https://code.launchpad.net/inkscape/+activereviews
And find a merge request to review. Reviewing this code, we can decide
if it's code we should have or if it's safe to discard.
Some of the items are "needs fixing", if the fix looks interesting or
important and you think you can bring it over the line and get it in,
please do help. And we can consolidate and clean up the merge requests
before the great git gearing.
Give a little of your time for the project to get us to git. Thanks everyone!
Best Regards, Martin Owens
Bazaar Sanitation Services
5 years, 11 months
gcode tools support lacking
by brynn
Hi Friends,
It's been well over a year since the team who created Inkscape's gcode
tools, have answered requests for support in their forum, cnc-club (see link in
Extensions menu > Gcodetools > About).
There currently are not any users who participate in forums, who
understand these tools who are apparently interested in helping.
Is there anyone in the community who would be willing to be contacted
(in lieu of regularly visiting forums) with questions about the gcode tools,
when they come up (which is more and more lately)?
Or does anyone know of any resources, such as tutorials? I only know of
one...oh great, and I guess I've misplaced the link. But it's fairly limited.
(I've even offered to write tutorials for the gcode tools, if the cnc-club forum
would collaborate - no answer.)
Personally, if the community can't provide support for our own tools,
well.... I guess I'd have to start refering users elsewhere, for producing the
gcode. Some have already started referring elsewhere
(http://www.inkscapeforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32491)
Of course I don't want to do that. But this is a frustrating. Can the
development community provide any guidance?
Thank you very much,
brynn
5 years, 11 months
