Inkscape For Prototyping and Digital Fabrication has been designed for new and inexperienced users who wish to become familiar with the basics of vector creation and editing using open source software. We will cover everything from file formats that Inkscape uses, to typography and graphic design, to its applications in the printing and manufacturing industries. The user will be guided from a novice through to an Inkscape master in an easy-going, relaxed environment. This programme will assist new learners on the basics of the Inkscape package, and will offer a full overview of the application interface, each tool, menu, and panel.
The cost of the full course is 60 euros for students and 100 euros for adults. Capacity of this course is 12 people and classes will be on four consecutive mondays from 19:30-22:00 starting Monday 16th March.
WEEK 1 (16 MAR)
There will be an introduction to digital prototyping, its possibilities, and what will be covered in this course. We will give a run-through of the basics of Laser-cutting, fabricating examples to see the process involved. During the course, each learner will have the chance to draw their own designs and print them out, so students should bring along an idea of something they would like to fabricate, even a sketch or an image- for example we will be making art-work, signage; 3D puzzles, board games, fabric printing and toys. Each design will be individually customisable and then cut with the Laser-cutter.
WEEK 2 & 3 (23 / 30 MAR)
We will learn how to use Inkscape to prepare more complex drawings, and understand how to use Inkscape for Laser cutting, CNC cutting or other industrial applications. We will go from measured drawings to unique organic creations. Each student will be able to create precise scaled drawings, trace bitmap/jpeg images, draw freehand and with the pen tool; use Paths, Clipping and Masking and boolean operations to manipulate artwork you’ve created. Set up files and templates, be able to use Patterns, Brushstrokes and Cloned groups; Prepare typography in Inkscape; set Stroke, Fill, and Appearance settings.
WEEK 4 (6 APR)
By week four each participant will have a solid understanding of the features, menus, tools, and panels of the Inkscape interface. Every learner will be given the chance to take all the skills they have learned throughout the course and use them to create an individual project. The projects can contain a combination of laser-cutting and CNC routing. Material will be provided by Fab Lab Limerick and each learner will be able to take home their individual projects.
Please note: it is a course requirement to have at least a basic level of computer skills and bring along a laptop and mouse, able to connect to WiFi, and run Inkscape.