In Inkscape, one common way to create a custom brush effect involves using any vector object you design as the shape that is applied along a stroke you draw. This technique is primarily achieved using the Pencil tool and is a quick method for creating unique, repeatable patterns or shapes along a freehand path.
Steps to Use an Object as a Custom Brush Shape
This method allows you to transform any selected vector object into a dynamic brush tip for your freehand drawings with the Pencil tool. Here’s how to do it based on the technique described:
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Create Your Brush Shape Object
- Design the vector object or group of objects you want to use as the repeating element for your brush. This object serves as your "brush tip."
- You can create this shape using drawing tools like the Bezier Pen tool (Shift+F6), as referenced in the technique.
- Your design can be a simple shape or something "more compound" for a complex brush appearance.
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Select the Object
- Use the Selection tool (F1) to click on and select the object(s) you created in the previous step.
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Activate the Pencil Tool
- Switch to the Pencil tool (F6) from the toolbox on the left.
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Set the Pencil Tool's Shape Option
- Look at the Tool Controls bar located near the top of the Inkscape window.
- Find the dropdown menu labeled "Shape" and click it.
- From the options, select "From selection". This tells the Pencil tool to use the object(s) you currently have selected as the source for its shape.
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Draw to Create Your Brush Stroke
- With the Pencil tool active and the Shape option set to "From selection," click and drag it out on your canvas.
- As you draw, Inkscape will automatically apply the selected object along the path you are creating.
- Following this process, "if you drag it out you've created your brush" stroke using your custom-designed shape, allowing you to achieve "pretty interesting things with that."
This technique provides a flexible way to draw with custom shapes in Inkscape, directly using existing vector objects as your brush pattern along a freehand line. The final appearance of the stroke depends on both the design of your shape object and the settings of the Pencil tool itself.
