Top 20 tips for using Inkscape to make diagrams?
Hi all,
My next book (almost complete) is about constructing Mental Models. I recommend Inkscape for those using Linux. The book has an appendix on using Inkscape. I'm looking to just cover things most important and often used in drawing diagrams with boxes, text and lines.
In the cheatsheet portion, I have:
Esc: Unselect s: Enter Select Mode t: Text Ctrl+D: Duplicate Object Shift+Ctrl+F: Edit Object's Visible Properties: Shift+Ctrl+A: Align And Distribute Objects:
In the Tips section, I have: * How to make all the toolbars visible * Turn off all snapping (Shift+5) * Turning off changing an object's stroke width with changes of object size * F12 to toggle visibility of dialog boxes * Use 12 to 14 point fonts for labels * Don't use Inkscape connectors for interaction lines - They don't work right - Use lines or Bezier curves instead * Don't use multiline text: Use 1 text object per line instead - Multiline text isn't part of SVG - Multiline text often and unpredictably screws up in Inkscape
I also have a short section on how to create and manipulate Beziers (paths).
This appendix isn't meant to teach Inkscape or be an Inkscape reference. It's merely a guide to most useful Inkscape tactics for diagram drawing, and warnings to stay away from landmines.
Can anybody think of very important tactics to use for creating box-and-line diagrams for Inkscape?
Thanks,
SteveT
Steve Litt Spring 2021 featured book: Troubleshooting Techniques of the Successful Technologist http://www.troubleshooters.com/techniques
Den sön 21 nov. 2021 kl 01:43 skrev Steve Litt slitt@troubleshooters.com:
Can anybody think of very important tactics to use for creating box-and-line diagrams for Inkscape?
Thanks,
SteveT
Find ready made icon/symbol/shape sets online.
I just did a few network diagrams in Inkscape this week and any recommendations on free SVG icons would be nice, but of course, references quickly gets outdated and perhaps doesn't fit in a book. My need this week was for router, switch, host and server symbols. Previously I have also had the need for proper UML "symbols" but they are easily created by hand when needed.
Best regards
Hi Steve,
Am 21.11.21 um 01:43 schrieb Steve Litt:
Hi all,
…
- Turn off all snapping (Shift+5)
- While it's resulting in the same thing, the shortcut is actually %.
- Don't use Inkscape connectors for interaction lines
- They don't work right
- Use lines or Bezier curves instead
- Don't use multiline text: Use 1 text object per line instead
- Multiline text isn't part of SVG
- Multiline text often and unpredictably screws up in Inkscape
- These last two tips appear to be outdated since Inkscape 1.0 and 1.1 respectively.
Maren
Maren Hachmann said on Sun, 21 Nov 2021 17:51:38 +0100
Am 21.11.21 um 01:43 schrieb Steve Litt:
- Don't use Inkscape connectors for interaction lines
- They don't work right
- Use lines or Bezier curves instead
- Don't use multiline text: Use 1 text object per line instead
- Multiline text isn't part of SVG
- Multiline text often and unpredictably screws up in
Inkscape
- These last two tips appear to be outdated since Inkscape 1.0 and 1.1
respectively.
This is good information, Maren. I've been using 1.1 and still having these two problems intermittently (well, I thought it was intermittent but I just didn't know the symptom reproduction).
Given that neither multiline text nor connectors are part of the SVG spec, it's no surprise that these are Inkscape additions to SVG, and if a diagram is *ever* saved as Plain SVG, they lose their powers to correctly format. My experimentation tells me that once that happens, you can never get them back again, even if you re-convert to Inkscape SVG.
There are two ways to save as Plain SVG:
1) Accidentally
2) Purposely
It's pretty hard to accidentally save a document with Inkscape-specific features, because you get an "are you sure" screen. The only way to accidentally save as Plain SVG is to either be working too fast, or to not understand which specific features will become permanently corrupted by saving to plain SVG.
I purposely save to Plain SVG. I know you've worked very hard to make Inkscape SVG render exactly the same in all SVG viewers as it does in Inkscape, but you cannot possibly control all the crazy code some SVG viewers will use. Although I don't remember specifics, I seem to have memories of Inkscape SVG docs that rendered materially different in some viewers than they did in Inkscape.
For me, using one text object per line is a minor inconvenience/slowdown.
Using connectors is more interesting. If you like the choices connectors make, you could continue using them until the diagram is finished, then convert to Plain SVG and all would be well. This would require a default width and color on connectors, but so far I haven't found such a default.
SteveT
Steve Litt Spring 2021 featured book: Troubleshooting Techniques of the Successful Technologist http://www.troubleshooters.com/techniques
Am 21.11.21 um 23:56 schrieb Steve Litt:
Maren Hachmann said on Sun, 21 Nov 2021 17:51:38 +0100
Am 21.11.21 um 01:43 schrieb Steve Litt:
Given that neither multiline text nor connectors are part of the SVG spec, it's no surprise that these are Inkscape additions to SVG, and if a diagram is *ever* saved as Plain SVG, they lose their powers to correctly format. My experimentation tells me that once that happens, you can never get them back again, even if you re-convert to Inkscape SVG.
- Yes, that's correct. Plain SVG does not keep Inkscape-specific metadata.
- Purposely
I purposely save to Plain SVG. I know you've worked very hard to make Inkscape SVG render exactly the same in all SVG viewers as it does in Inkscape, but you cannot possibly control all the crazy code some SVG viewers will use. Although I don't remember specifics, I seem to have memories of Inkscape SVG docs that rendered materially different in some viewers than they did in Inkscape.
- Please try it out with current Inkscape, and report any bugs you find. It works considerably better than it did in the past.
For me, using one text object per line is a minor inconvenience/slowdown.
- And here I was thinking you were writing the book for your readers ...
Inkscape automatically inserts an SVG 1.1 compatible fallback for multiline texts, so they should be rendering correctly in even the oldest renderers.
Using connectors is more interesting. If you like the choices connectors make, you could continue using them until the diagram is finished, then convert to Plain SVG and all would be well. This would require a default width and color on connectors, but so far I haven't found such a default.
Mmmh, okay - in that case, maybe the statement that connectors 'don't work right' is misleading, because they only 'don't work right' because you save as plain SVG for some reason?
Connectors seem to be 1px, black by default, with no way to set that - that's correct, unfortunately. It's comparatively easy to fix, though, using 'select same > fill / stroke' - please make a feature request, that seems to be very useful!).
Do you really think this is worth it for your readers? To lose the ability for the connectors to auto-follow the boxes they're connected to in exchange for a ... default color/width?
Converting to Path is sufficient for the connectors to turn to normal paths.
Good luck with your book! Maren
Maren Hachmann said on Mon, 22 Nov 2021 00:30:29 +0100
Am 21.11.21 um 23:56 schrieb Steve Litt:
Inkscape automatically inserts an SVG 1.1 compatible fallback for multiline texts, so they should be rendering correctly in even the oldest renderers.
Confirmed!
I was referring to much subtler problems than spacing on text.
As far as multiline text, my sole objection is that if the file is ever saved as Plain SVG, re-Inkscaping the file portrays the former multiline text in an almost impossible to use or interpret manner.
Using connectors is more interesting. If you like the choices connectors make, you could continue using them until the diagram is finished, then convert to Plain SVG and all would be well. This would require a default width and color on connectors, but so far I haven't found such a default.
Mmmh, okay - in that case, maybe the statement that connectors 'don't work right' is misleading, because they only 'don't work right' because you save as plain SVG for some reason?
Correct. The work right as long as there's a continuous history of being saved as Inkscape SVG. When I made the "don't work" statement I didn't know why connectors from older files stopped being connectors. Now I know it's because at some point the file was saved as Plain SVG.
Connectors seem to be 1px, black by default, with no way to set that - that's correct, unfortunately. It's comparatively easy to fix, though, using 'select same > fill / stroke' - please make a feature request, that seems to be very useful!).
Do you really think this is worth it for your readers? To lose the ability for the connectors to auto-follow the boxes they're connected to in exchange for a ... default color/width?
All I can say is I've gotten pretty good at and fairly fast at converting lines to right angle paths from one object to another, and even when dealing with perpetual Inkscape SVG, I often don't like the routing choices of connectors. Right now I plan on continuing to make and modify my own inter-object lines, rather than use connectors. So I'll probably recommend the same to my readers.
Converting to Path is sufficient for the connectors to turn to normal paths.
Let me test that out...
After 10 minutes of trying to verify or disverify your preceding statement, I came to the conclusion that it's so involved getting a connector to work its way around other boxes that I can't describe connectors' use to my readers. I found no way to toggle the "Make connector avoid selected objects" and "Make connector ignore selected objects" by any obvious procedure. Connectors are a feature I just won't use and wouldn't want to teach. Turning a straight line into a 5 point path takes 1 second, and using that 5 point path to route between and around various objects takes less than 5 minutes --- often less than 1. The alternative to connectors is just too easy.
Good luck with your book!
Thanks!
SteveT
Steve Litt Spring 2021 featured book: Troubleshooting Techniques of the Successful Technologist http://www.troubleshooters.com/techniques
On Sun, 2021-11-21 at 21:52 -0500, Steve Litt wrote:
Right now I plan on continuing to make
and modify my own inter-object lines, rather than use connectors. So
I'll probably recommend the same to my readers.
Connectors have been completely re-written. There's no schedule for when this new connectors branch will make it into inkscape (the connector project ran out of money) but I'm keeping it up to date for when it reactivates:
https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3234
Developer videos with some footage of it in use: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEgheuQFAmhDNSI4nsc_RGODg3kBmSna8
Please keep this in mind if you're writing somethign about connectors. It's a solved (or mostly solved) problem and with a bit more resource could be a much more solved problem in a future inkscape version.
Best Regards, Martin Owens
Martin Owens said on Sun, 21 Nov 2021 23:10:36 -0500
On Sun, 2021-11-21 at 21:52 -0500, Steve Litt wrote:
Right now I plan on continuing to make
and modify my own inter-object lines, rather than use connectors. So
I'll probably recommend the same to my readers.
Connectors have been completely re-written. There's no schedule for when this new connectors branch will make it into inkscape (the connector project ran out of money) but I'm keeping it up to date for when it reactivates:
Thanks Martin!
I'll put in the Inkscape Appendix that future versions will become better and better.
SteveT
Steve Litt Spring 2021 featured book: Troubleshooting Techniques of the Successful Technologist http://www.troubleshooters.com/techniques
Oy, that's a lot to watch, Martin :)
Is the stroke style feature already a part of your work?
Maren
Am 22.11.21 um 05:10 schrieb Martin Owens:
On Sun, 2021-11-21 at 21:52 -0500, Steve Litt wrote:
Right now I plan on continuing to make
and modify my own inter-object lines, rather than use connectors. So
I'll probably recommend the same to my readers.
Connectors have been completely re-written. There's no schedule for when this new connectors branch will make it into inkscape (the connector project ran out of money) but I'm keeping it up to date for when it reactivates:
https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3234
Developer videos with some footage of it in use: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEgheuQFAmhDNSI4nsc_RGODg3kBmSna8
Please keep this in mind if you're writing somethign about connectors. It's a solved (or mostly solved) problem and with a bit more resource could be a much more solved problem in a future inkscape version.
Best Regards, Martin Owens _______________________________________________ Inkscape Users mailing list -- inkscape-user@lists.inkscape.org To unsubscribe send an email to inkscape-user-leave@lists.inkscape.org
Yes, one can't currently (in 1.1.1) set a default style for the tool, or choose a style for the tool. It's always 1px black and you need to change that after drawing if you want something else.
Maren
Am 22.11.21 um 18:55 schrieb Martin Owens:
On Mon, 2021-11-22 at 18:27 +0100, Maren Hachmann wrote:
Is the stroke style feature already a part of your work?
I'm not sure what that is, these lines have stroke just like any other line.
Is it the stroke and fill persistence?
Martin,
Mmh, seems the original question go lost after my explanation - Martin, does your MR include the style-setting or not? Because if it doesn't, I'm going to make the feature request for Steve.
Thanks! Maren
Am 22.11.21 um 19:14 schrieb Maren Hachmann:
Yes, one can't currently (in 1.1.1) set a default style for the tool, or choose a style for the tool. It's always 1px black and you need to change that after drawing if you want something else.
Maren
Am 22.11.21 um 18:55 schrieb Martin Owens:
On Mon, 2021-11-22 at 18:27 +0100, Maren Hachmann wrote:
Is the stroke style feature already a part of your work?
I'm not sure what that is, these lines have stroke just like any other line.
Is it the stroke and fill persistence?
Martin,
Inkscape Users mailing list -- inkscape-user@lists.inkscape.org To unsubscribe send an email to inkscape-user-leave@lists.inkscape.org
Hi Maren,
It does
https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3234/diffs#a49dd9a2e31...
Shows the addition of last used style into preferences.
But it should be tested further to confirm.
Martin,
On Sat, 2021-11-27 at 14:57 +0100, Maren Hachmann wrote:
Mmh, seems the original question go lost after my explanation - Martin, does your MR include the style-setting or not? Because if it doesn't, I'm going to make the feature request for Steve.
Thanks! Maren
Am 22.11.21 um 19:14 schrieb Maren Hachmann:
Yes, one can't currently (in 1.1.1) set a default style for the tool, or choose a style for the tool. It's always 1px black and you need to change that after drawing if you want something else.
Maren
Am 22.11.21 um 18:55 schrieb Martin Owens:
On Mon, 2021-11-22 at 18:27 +0100, Maren Hachmann wrote:
Is the stroke style feature already a part of your work?
I'm not sure what that is, these lines have stroke just like any other line.
Is it the stroke and fill persistence?
Martin,
Inkscape Users mailing list -- inkscape-user@lists.inkscape.org To unsubscribe send an email to inkscape-user-leave@lists.inkscape.org
Inkscape Users mailing list -- inkscape-user@lists.inkscape.org To unsubscribe send an email to inkscape-user-leave@lists.inkscape.org
Martin Owens said on Sat, 27 Nov 2021 11:04:28 -0500
Hi Maren,
It does
https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3234/diffs#a49dd9a2e31...
Shows the addition of last used style into preferences.
Does it also let you set the style permanently (until deliberately changed) like rectangle, ellipse, pencil, etc?
SteveT
Steve Litt Spring 2021 featured book: Troubleshooting Techniques of the Successful Technologist http://www.troubleshooters.com/techniques
Thank you, Martin, that sounds good!
Maren
Am 27.11.21 um 17:04 schrieb Martin Owens:
Hi Maren,
It does
https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3234/diffs#a49dd9a2e31...
Shows the addition of last used style into preferences.
But it should be tested further to confirm.
Martin,
On Sat, 2021-11-27 at 14:57 +0100, Maren Hachmann wrote:
Mmh, seems the original question go lost after my explanation - Martin, does your MR include the style-setting or not? Because if it doesn't, I'm going to make the feature request for Steve.
Thanks! Maren
Am 22.11.21 um 19:14 schrieb Maren Hachmann:
Yes, one can't currently (in 1.1.1) set a default style for the tool, or choose a style for the tool. It's always 1px black and you need to change that after drawing if you want something else.
Maren
Am 22.11.21 um 18:55 schrieb Martin Owens:
On Mon, 2021-11-22 at 18:27 +0100, Maren Hachmann wrote:
Is the stroke style feature already a part of your work?
I'm not sure what that is, these lines have stroke just like any other line.
Is it the stroke and fill persistence?
Martin,
_______________________________________________ Inkscape Users mailing list -- inkscape-user@lists.inkscape.org To unsubscribe send an email to inkscape-user-leave@lists.inkscape.org
_______________________________________________ Inkscape Users mailing list -- inkscape-user@lists.inkscape.org To unsubscribe send an email to inkscape-user-leave@lists.inkscape.org
_______________________________________________ Inkscape Users mailing list -- inkscape-user@lists.inkscape.org To unsubscribe send an email to inkscape-user-leave@lists.inkscape.org
Maren Hachmann said on Mon, 22 Nov 2021 00:30:29 +0100
Connectors seem to be 1px, black by default, with no way to set that - that's correct, unfortunately. It's comparatively easy to fix, though, using 'select same > fill / stroke' - please make a feature request,
I couldn't make the feature request. I had to spend several minutes reading a few pages find out it was on gitlab, a little while longer to find out where to log into gitlab, then I tried to log into gitlab, got an "invalid user or password", and given that even if I managed to log in there might have been other hoops, I went on to other things.
If anybody here can easily file feature requests, please file one for connectors to have the same type of default properties facility that pencils and pens do.
Thanks,
SteveT
Steve Litt Spring 2021 featured book: Troubleshooting Techniques of the Successful Technologist http://www.troubleshooters.com/techniques
Em 20/11/2021 21:43, Steve Litt escreveu:
Hi all,
My next book (almost complete) is about constructing Mental Models. I recommend Inkscape for those using Linux. The book has an appendix on using Inkscape. I'm looking to just cover things most important and often used in drawing diagrams with boxes, text and lines.
In the cheatsheet portion, I have:
Esc:�Unselect s:�Enter�Select�Mode t:�Text Ctrl+D:�Duplicate�Object Shift+Ctrl+F:�Edit�Object's�Visible�Properties: Shift+Ctrl+A:�Align�And�Distribute�Objects:
In the Tips section, I have:
- How to make all the toolbars visible
- Turn off all snapping (Shift+5)
- Turning off changing an object's stroke width with changes of object size
- F12 to toggle visibility of dialog boxes
- Use 12 to 14 point fonts for labels
- Don't use Inkscape connectors for interaction lines
- They don't work right
- Use lines or Bezier curves instead
- Don't use multiline text: Use 1 text object per line instead
- Multiline text isn't part of SVG
- Multiline text often and unpredictably screws up in Inkscape
I also have a short section on how to create and manipulate Beziers (paths).
This appendix isn't meant to teach Inkscape or be an Inkscape reference. It's merely a guide to most useful Inkscape tactics for diagram drawing, and warnings to stay away from landmines.
Can anybody think of very important tactics to use for creating box-and-line diagrams for Inkscape?
Do you know about https://openclipart.org/ ? It is a site where many many cliparts are available. But what can be more important for you, is that all of them are *also* available in SVG. I just did a search there for "diagram", and i found 968 cliparts! I checked a few of them, and they can be used to make several kinds of diagrams, have useful parts for them, or maybe even be used as inspiration.
The search i mentioned is here: openclipart.org ... query=diagram https://openclipart.org/search/?query=diagram
The license in Openclipart is public domain, basically https://openclipart.org/share. So, use it as you need. But i suggest one thing: contribute to its collection, and suggest your readers and/or future readers doing it too.
Best regards,
Dedeco
participants (5)
-
Christoffer Holmstedt -
Dedeco Balaco -
Maren Hachmann -
Martin Owens -
Steve Litt