I'm hoping some experienced Inkscape users can confirm what I'm trying to do is a good fit for Inkscape - or not.
I want to create control panels for electronic equipment which will be printed or laser-engraved. Mostly text, but some simple graphics, and svg output is needed, so my first thought was Inkscape was the right tool for the job. The problem I've been trying to overcome is in positioning text and graphics precisely where it needs to be.
What I'd like is the to position text and graphic objects by center point and position them at specific X-Y locations on the drawing. For example, say I want to position a 1/4" diameter circle precisely over a hole that is located 2" in the X dimension and 1" in the Y dimension (i.e. XY coordinates 2", 1") from the lower left corner of the panel (which is 0",0"). While I've been able to manually subtract the radius or 1/8" and position my circle at 1.875", .875" - that method is more prone to error, especially when it has to be done dozens or hundreds of times. I've tried grids and guides and snapping but haven't found the combination that puts things exactly where I need them.
So my question is, can Inkscape be configured to do what I want to do, and if so, how? I've read the manual and watched tutorials and while but haven't found what I need on my own and thought it would save a lot of time if I'd just explain what I would like in enough detail that more experienced users could offer an opinion.
I know that Inkscape is very powerful and does many things well, but if this isn't one of them I'd rather find a tool that does than continue to be frustrated. Thanks in advance,
Bob
You can use the number fields in the Selector tool to add any value you want to a current position. Centering is also available.
You can change the reference point for the Selector tool's coordinate fields by clicking on the corresponding handle.
So, it's easily possible. But CAD software would be the ideal choice, if you are planning to make more projects like that in the future, and you don't care which kind of program you learn to use.
Inkscape can be used for many other types of projects later on, if you only want to learn using something new once.
Maren
Am 03.11.23 um 19:21 schrieb Robert Nickels:
I'm hoping some experienced Inkscape users can confirm what I'm trying to do is a good fit for Inkscape - or not.
I want to create control panels for electronic equipment which will be printed or laser-engraved. Mostly text, but some simple graphics, and svg output is needed, so my first thought was Inkscape was the right tool for the job. The problem I've been trying to overcome is in positioning text and graphics precisely where it needs to be.
What I'd like is the to position text and graphic objects by center point and position them at specific X-Y locations on the drawing. For example, say I want to position a 1/4" diameter circle precisely over a hole that is located 2" in the X dimension and 1" in the Y dimension (i.e. XY coordinates 2", 1") from the lower left corner of the panel (which is 0",0"). While I've been able to manually subtract the radius or 1/8" and position my circle at 1.875", .875" - that method is more prone to error, especially when it has to be done dozens or hundreds of times. I've tried grids and guides and snapping but haven't found the combination that puts things exactly where I need them.
So my question is, can Inkscape be configured to do what I want to do, and if so, how? I've read the manual and watched tutorials and while but haven't found what I need on my own and thought it would save a lot of time if I'd just explain what I would like in enough detail that more experienced users could offer an opinion.
I know that Inkscape is very powerful and does many things well, but if this isn't one of them I'd rather find a tool that does than continue to be frustrated. Thanks in advance,
Bob _______________________________________________ Inkscape Users mailing list -- inkscape-user@lists.inkscape.org To unsubscribe send an email to inkscape-user-leave@lists.inkscape.org
Bob - If I understand correctly, you can do what you want if you make sure that Bounding boxes > Centers is selected in the Snapping menu. - Robert
________________________________ From: Robert Nickels ranickels@gmail.com Sent: November 3, 2023 14:21 To: inkscape-user@lists.inkscape.org inkscape-user@lists.inkscape.org Subject: [Inkscape-user] Right tool for the job?
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I'm hoping some experienced Inkscape users can confirm what I'm trying to do is a good fit for Inkscape - or not.
I want to create control panels for electronic equipment which will be printed or laser-engraved. Mostly text, but some simple graphics, and svg output is needed, so my first thought was Inkscape was the right tool for the job. The problem I've been trying to overcome is in positioning text and graphics precisely where it needs to be.
What I'd like is the to position text and graphic objects by center point and position them at specific X-Y locations on the drawing. For example, say I want to position a 1/4" diameter circle precisely over a hole that is located 2" in the X dimension and 1" in the Y dimension (i.e. XY coordinates 2", 1") from the lower left corner of the panel (which is 0",0"). While I've been able to manually subtract the radius or 1/8" and position my circle at 1.875", .875" - that method is more prone to error, especially when it has to be done dozens or hundreds of times. I've tried grids and guides and snapping but haven't found the combination that puts things exactly where I need them.
So my question is, can Inkscape be configured to do what I want to do, and if so, how? I've read the manual and watched tutorials and while but haven't found what I need on my own and thought it would save a lot of time if I'd just explain what I would like in enough detail that more experienced users could offer an opinion.
I know that Inkscape is very powerful and does many things well, but if this isn't one of them I'd rather find a tool that does than continue to be frustrated. Thanks in advance,
Bob _______________________________________________ Inkscape Users mailing list -- inkscape-user@lists.inkscape.org To unsubscribe send an email to inkscape-user-leave@lists.inkscape.org
On 11/3/2023 2:04 PM, W. Robert J. Funnell, Prof. wrote:
If I understand correctly, you can do what you want if you make sure that Bounding boxes > Centers is selected in the Snapping menu.
I appreciate that suggestion, Robert. It sounds like the solution- but I'm unable to make it work the way I need it to. Here's a link to an image that shows a blow-up of two parts of my screen to show what I mean:
https://i.imgur.com/9KSlySL.png
In the upper right is my Snap menu. The boxes that are enabled from top to bottom are Enable Snapping, Snap boundary boxes, and Snapping centers of boundary boxes. I then grabbed the circle tool and created a circle of .25" diameter which works fine. But when I enter the X and Y coordinates for the circle, it is snapped to the position shown, with the lower left-hand corner aligned at location (2", 1"), not the center. Regardless of the size of circle this is what I always get, same with squares so I presume it's true for any object.
When I unselect centers and select Snap boundary box corners (3rd button down) - it works exactly the same as when I try to select centers.
Could you or someone please try this and let me know if it works for you or if I'm missing something? Otherwise it looks to me that "snap centers" just doesn't do what I think it should.
Thanks,
Bob
As far as I know, snapping only works when you're dragging with the mouse. So, I would first create the circle, and then use the mouse to drag it until it snaps to the desired location, when there will be a tiny message saying 'Bounding box midpoint to grid intersection'. Once you've done that, Inkscape has very good tools for things like lining up text with objects and with other text. Does that work for you? - Robert
________________________________ From: Robert Nickels ranickels@gmail.com Sent: November 3, 2023 17:16 To: W. Robert J. Funnell, Prof. robert.funnell@mcgill.ca; inkscape-user@lists.inkscape.org inkscape-user@lists.inkscape.org Subject: Re: [Inkscape-user] Right tool for the job?
On 11/3/2023 2:04 PM, W. Robert J. Funnell, Prof. wrote: If I understand correctly, you can do what you want if you make sure that Bounding boxes > Centers is selected in the Snapping menu.
I appreciate that suggestion, Robert. It sounds like the solution- but I'm unable to make it work the way I need it to. Here's a link to an image that shows a blow-up of two parts of my screen to show what I mean:
https://i.imgur.com/9KSlySL.png
In the upper right is my Snap menu. The boxes that are enabled from top to bottom are Enable Snapping, Snap boundary boxes, and Snapping centers of boundary boxes. I then grabbed the circle tool and created a circle of .25" diameter which works fine. But when I enter the X and Y coordinates for the circle, it is snapped to the position shown, with the lower left-hand corner aligned at location (2", 1"), not the center. Regardless of the size of circle this is what I always get, same with squares so I presume it's true for any object.
When I unselect centers and select Snap boundary box corners (3rd button down) - it works exactly the same as when I try to select centers.
Could you or someone please try this and let me know if it works for you or if I'm missing something? Otherwise it looks to me that "snap centers" just doesn't do what I think it should.
Thanks,
Bob
On 11/3/2023 5:01 PM, W. Robert J. Funnell, Prof. wrote:
'Bounding box midpoint to grid intersection'. Once you've done that, Inkscape has very good tools for things like lining up text with objects and with other text. Does that work for you?
Success! In addition to the above I needed to select "Snap to Grids" (which is kinda obvious...) I'd made a .1" grid and now I can snap objects to any grid intersection.
I really appreciate the help as is often the case with a new tool, you know what you want to do and reckon it's possible, but don't know the right way to describe it using the tool's language.
Bob
participants (3)
-
Maren Hachmann -
Robert Nickels -
W. Robert J. Funnell, Prof.