I attach an outline image of a simple mandala, and also a completed image of the same thing.
I produced the completed version using a CAD program (QCAD) then 'painted' it with an ancient (CS2) copy of Photoshop.
I would like to be able to do the complete job together with other similar works in Inkscape but have been unable to fathom out a simple procedure despite experiment for hours with the various Boolean options. Nor can I find and YouTube clips that describe what I am trying to do - i.e., change the colour of line segments as well as fill colours. The Shape Builder Tool looks as if it could be tweaked to do exactly what I want but alas in its present form it can't be used to select paths, much less change their colour.
Any suggestions on a possible way forward with this will be gratefully received!
All boolean operations (and the shape builder) on the area defined by closed paths. Lines are just decorations around the shapes. Solution -> convert your lines into closed paths using "stroke to path" command. Set the appropriate line thickness before converting.
Thanks karliss - I thought there had to be a simple answer! I'm almost where I want to be but unfortunately the shape builder - which clearly has great potential - is extremely unstable on my Windows 11 machine. It doesn't actually crash the system, it simply loses all of the inputs I have painstakingly entered!
This typical happens when I apply a Ctrl+z but also happens if I place a rectangle of contrasting colour behind a design, then change the colour of the rectangle. Hopefully this is 'work in progress' and will receive the attention it deserves in the fullness of time!
You can also try the Path>Fracture operation, then color the bits individually. Then if you like, you can union all the bits of the same color. The fine lines can be made with duplicates of the original hexagon and triangles.
> This typical happens when I apply a Ctrl+z but also happens if I place a rectangle of contrasting colour behind a design, then change the colour of the rectangle. Hopefully this is 'work in progress' and will receive the attention it deserves in the fullness of time!
What version of Inkscape are you using? Shape builder should be working mostly fine, with some rare cases of failing to correctly calculate line intersections/boolean shapes for some inputs, but the correct usage process isn't exactly obvious.
When you activate the shape builder tool Inkscape enters special mode. None of the area selection gets applied until you finish it by clicking "Accept" in the toolbar. If you interrupt the shape building command by picking a different tool like drawing a rectangle the operation will be canceled your progress will be lost. If you are working on very complex design don't try to do everything in single step, just like you wouldn't attempt to draw whole drawing in a single stroke. Do it in chunks. In the shape builder tool panel you can choose whether it will replace all the input shapes with shapes that are produced by selection or will it create new shapes.
Sincere thanks to both of you - and the incredible lengths you have gone to with your suggestions. There's always more than one way to skin a cat and I'm delighted to learn about the Path>Fracture option which opens up all sorts of new colorful opportunities!
My background is in cad and Macromedia Freehand and I only downloaded Inkscape for the first a couple of weeks ago, so the version I'm on should be up to date. The learning-curve for new software of this complexity is always pretty fierce but since I'm now fully retired I have been able to devote several hours to the Shape Builder Tool and other operations and I am filled with admiration for the vast amount of voluntary effort that has made Inkscape what it is.
Hello Tyler. Since my last posting I have had the opportunity to try and repeat the fracture procedure you detailed above.
Unfortunately, as you will see from my attachments, I am not getting the same result as you. Only the paths are getting selected and filled with colour. The fill areas are omitted.
Evidently I need to change a setting somewhere or add in a procedure I have missed. If you can put me right I will be most grateful!
Here's a copy of my test at the Stroke to Path stage. Please open in Inkscape and use Path>Fracture on all paths. The result should be 386 filled objects.
I did indeed get 386 filled objects. Better still, when I re-drew the design I got the same again.
So the 'fill problem' seems to have been the result of a minor corruption, probably incurred as a result of the many 'change & undo' operations I performed on the original.
All is now well so many thanks to you all for your several inputs.
Beginners' Questions Creating colored Paths and Fills in a Mandala
Inkscape.org
I attach an outline image of a simple mandala, and also a completed image of the same thing.
I produced the completed version using a CAD program (QCAD) then 'painted' it with an ancient (CS2) copy of Photoshop.
I would like to be able to do the complete job together with other similar works in Inkscape but have been unable to fathom out a simple procedure despite experiment for hours with the various Boolean options. Nor can I find and YouTube clips that describe what I am trying to do - i.e., change the colour of line segments as well as fill colours. The Shape Builder Tool looks as if it could be tweaked to do exactly what I want but alas in its present form it can't be used to select paths, much less change their colour.
Any suggestions on a possible way forward with this will be gratefully received!
,
All boolean operations (and the shape builder) on the area defined by closed paths. Lines are just decorations around the shapes. Solution -> convert your lines into closed paths using "stroke to path" command. Set the appropriate line thickness before converting.
Thanks karliss - I thought there had to be a simple answer! I'm almost where I want to be but unfortunately the shape builder - which clearly has great potential - is extremely unstable on my Windows 11 machine. It doesn't actually crash the system, it simply loses all of the inputs I have painstakingly entered!
This typical happens when I apply a Ctrl+z but also happens if I place a rectangle of contrasting colour behind a design, then change the colour of the rectangle. Hopefully this is 'work in progress' and will receive the attention it deserves in the fullness of time!
You can also try the Path>Fracture operation, then color the bits individually. Then if you like, you can union all the bits of the same color. The fine lines can be made with duplicates of the original hexagon and triangles.
> This typical happens when I apply a Ctrl+z but also happens if I place a rectangle of contrasting colour behind a design, then change the colour of the rectangle. Hopefully this is 'work in progress' and will receive the attention it deserves in the fullness of time!
What version of Inkscape are you using? Shape builder should be working mostly fine, with some rare cases of failing to correctly calculate line intersections/boolean shapes for some inputs, but the correct usage process isn't exactly obvious.
When you activate the shape builder tool Inkscape enters special mode. None of the area selection gets applied until you finish it by clicking "Accept" in the toolbar. If you interrupt the shape building command by picking a different tool like drawing a rectangle the operation will be canceled your progress will be lost. If you are working on very complex design don't try to do everything in single step, just like you wouldn't attempt to draw whole drawing in a single stroke. Do it in chunks. In the shape builder tool panel you can choose whether it will replace all the input shapes with shapes that are produced by selection or will it create new shapes.
Sincere thanks to both of you - and the incredible lengths you have gone to with your suggestions. There's always more than one way to skin a cat and I'm delighted to learn about the Path>Fracture option which opens up all sorts of new colorful opportunities!
My background is in cad and Macromedia Freehand and I only downloaded Inkscape for the first a couple of weeks ago, so the version I'm on should be up to date. The learning-curve for new software of this complexity is always pretty fierce but since I'm now fully retired I have been able to devote several hours to the Shape Builder Tool and other operations and I am filled with admiration for the vast amount of voluntary effort that has made Inkscape what it is.
Hello Tyler. Since my last posting I have had the opportunity to try and repeat the fracture procedure you detailed above.
Unfortunately, as you will see from my attachments, I am not getting the same result as you. Only the paths are getting selected and filled with colour. The fill areas are omitted.
Evidently I need to change a setting somewhere or add in a procedure I have missed. If you can put me right I will be most grateful!
Sorry - something went wrong with the scaling in the above image. Hopefully this one will be more legible!
Wondering if you want to use a laser cutter or cnc it in some way.
Because if not, you could make your life easier using symmetry or clones.
Unlike cad in inkscape you can clip objects and use some "nondestructive" methods.
Still, if the full geometry is necessary you could simplify your drawing process not to repeat the same steps 6 times manually.
Like you could produce a six time more intricate design with the same effort.
Here's a copy of my test at the Stroke to Path stage. Please open in Inkscape and use Path>Fracture on all paths. The result should be 386 filled objects.
Thanks Tyler.
I did indeed get 386 filled objects. Better still, when I re-drew the design I got the same again.
So the 'fill problem' seems to have been the result of a minor corruption, probably incurred as a result of the many 'change & undo' operations I performed on the original.
All is now well so many thanks to you all for your several inputs.
I am now