Developers familiar with open source applications know the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP).  While the GIMP provides useful raster-based editing capabilities, those seeking a vector-based graphic editor will find Inkscape to be the graphic editor of choice.  No Starch Press has published an excellent guide to using this sophisticated design package.  Read on for the full review.

The Book of Inkscape Review
Reviewed by Marielle Riley

It's not like your everyday Illustrator; Inkscape offers an entirely new way of looking at graphic media art.

 

New possibilities are presented to the user when they enters the world of Inkscape; however, knowing where to start can be difficult. That is why No Starch Press and Dmitry Kirsanov provide the all new "Book of Inkscape", a 480 page book on just about every concept one could think of for the program.  It is also the first book available that features the very latest features in the latest version 0.47 release. The possibilities that Inkscape provides can be evaluated simply by examining the front cover - the artwork demonstrates the many possibilities that one could do to a simple image.

Thanks to the author Dmitry Kirsanov's well written explanations, I immediately took an interest to this art program and began to read the vast secrets shared in the book to unlock the sophisticated design capabilities that Inkscape has to offer. Catching up on the program's basics is made very simple by Dmitry's easy to follow instructions and explanations.  Within an hour of quick tutorials and tips, I became acquainted with the atmosphere and design objectives of the program. By the next hour, I had developed two sophisticated images using the features described in the introduction and beyond.  Version 0.47 of Inkscape was still in beta when I reviewed the book.  Readers will want to upgrade to this latest release, as they may become stuck (like I did) in the latter portion of the book (such as Chapter 16) which explains features such as filters that did not exist on my older version.

The Book of Inkscape can be very helpful and elaborates on the many details and possibilities of the program.  It can take a while to read, and at $44.95 it is a little over my typical book budget.  Perhaps as a classroom book requirement or even for 'at home' lessons, the Book of Inkspace serves as a perfect educational resource for potential graphic artists and even programmers.  Of course, one should be very willing to learn the program before he or she thinks about buying the book.  Inkscape is a really exciting, interesting and powerful design program to learn, and the Book of Inkscape makes this learning process fun and rewarding.

 

Title: The Book of Inkscape: The Definitive Guide to the Free Graphics Editor
Author: Dmitry Kirsanov
Publisher: No Starch Press
ISBN: 978-1-59327-181-7
Pages: 480
Price: $44.95 US