Illustrate screenshots (bitmap) with vector objects and export at 100% (1:1 ratio)
I would like to use Inkscape as a screenshot illustrator (image editor). I have a bitmap, a software interface capture for example, and would like to draw some vector objects over it. However I can't find the proper zoom level to display the bitmap properly (at 100% or 200% it randomly works, it depends of the screenshot size) and more important, export it so the result is not "jagged". The zoom level, even at 100% (1:1) is never correct as Inkscape doesn't consider the canvas as a bitmap, as The GIMP does for example, but as vector. The only solution I found is to set the exported bitmap dimensions to 90 ppp but I'm not sure it works in all cases. I don't even know why 90 works, I suppose it balances the bitmap/vector ratio.
I guess I'm looking for some sort of hybrid mode between bitmap and vector image editing.
On May 15, 2007, at 10:09 AM, Jean-Marc Molina wrote:
The only solution I found is to set the exported bitmap dimensions to 90 ppp but I'm not sure it works in all cases. I don't even know why 90 works, I suppose it balances the bitmap/vector ratio.
Inkscape is coded with a DPI of 90. That comes from section 4.3.2 of the CSS2 spec.
Wouldn't it work better then to use Gimp and just use paths in Gimp for your vector stuff?
--- Jean-Marc Molina <jmmolina@...206...> wrote:
I would like to use Inkscape as a screenshot illustrator (image editor). I have a bitmap, a software interface capture for example, and would like to draw some vector objects over it. However I can't find the proper zoom level to display the bitmap properly (at 100% or 200% it randomly works, it depends of the screenshot size) and more important, export it so the result is not "jagged". The zoom level, even at 100% (1:1) is never correct as Inkscape doesn't consider the canvas as a bitmap, as The GIMP does for example, but as vector. The only solution I found is to set the exported bitmap dimensions to 90 ppp but I'm not sure it works in all cases. I don't even know why 90 works, I suppose it balances the bitmap/vector ratio.
I guess I'm looking for some sort of hybrid mode between bitmap and vector image editing.
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Elwin Estle wrote:
Wouldn't it work better then to use Gimp and just use paths in Gimp for your vector stuff?
Path is a powerful tool but it's not flexible enough compared to vector objects. Once the path has been filled or stroked, you can't modify its shape, it's just a bitmap. Moreover GIMP is not an illustration tool, it's only meant to edit existing images. And using it to illustrate would be a real nightmare, specially screenshots.
An other issue is that GIMP doesn't allow images linking so the screenshots would be duplicated. It doesn't happen with SVG files.
Well....I dunno about the "its only meant to edit existing images" part of things. There's a number of people on gimptalk.com that might have an issue with that, but I understand about the limitations of it's path system.
--- Jean-Marc Molina <jmmolina@...206...> wrote:
Elwin Estle wrote:
Wouldn't it work better then to use Gimp and just use paths in Gimp for your vector stuff?
Path is a powerful tool but it's not flexible enough compared to vector objects. Once the path has been filled or stroked, you can't modify its shape, it's just a bitmap. Moreover GIMP is not an illustration tool, it's only meant to edit existing images. And using it to illustrate would be a real nightmare, specially screenshots.
An other issue is that GIMP doesn't allow images linking so the screenshots would be duplicated. It doesn't happen with SVG files.
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Elwin Estle wrote:
Well....I dunno about the "its only meant to edit existing images" part of things. There's a number of people on gimptalk.com that might have an issue with that, but I understand about the limitations of it's path system.
I understand what you mean as everything can be done with an image editor like The GIMP as long as it has a "pixel drawing" tool. But illustrating using it would be like trying to render a 3D scene using a 2D tool. You can fake some 3D elements using simple image editing tools. You can give a vector-feel to your bitmaps using bitmap tricks... But I think it's more efficient to use the right tool for the right work. It doesn't mean you can't have fun with The GIMP or other image editors to illustrate. After all there used to be only bitmap editors : Neochrome Master and Synthetic Arts (Atari ST), Deluxe Paint (Amiga, PC)...
I plain to drop a post on GIMPTalk.com and ask other users some insights on this matter. I'm sure there heads are full of tips & tricks that would make the illustration process far less painless. But I still believe In-kscape :P
Just replying to link this thread to Tony's reply [1]. Fitting the page to the selection, the screenshot, is the key to using Inkscape as a screenshot illustration tool.
PS : Weird in the end it seems the subject of my original message has already been corrupted by the Gmane server.
Notes : * [1] news://727717.16194.qm@...2136...
participants (3)
-
Elwin Estle -
Jean-Marc Molina -
Jon A. Cruz