Interested

[BigBubbaG]

I am interested in trying a little pattern making. I have GIMP 2.10 on my computer. I'm reading the lessons here at SSV as well as watching you tube videos. 

I see a lot of folks using Inkscape….. Would it be advantageous for me to get Inkscape? Is it easier to use than GIMP? Does it work well along side GIMP?

 

Thanks guys and gals

[teachnlearn]

I'm going through Inkscape tutorial myself.  The reason is it's vector based or able to make things bigger and smaller easily. Here is a short video. RJF

 

[BigBubbaG]

That loss of detail or pixilation is a problem I'm having.

[teachnlearn]

Your pattern is 'Bitmapped'. Photos are 'generally' produced as thousands of dots that are filled in with color. As the photo is enlarged more dots are created to take up the larger space. As the photo is enlarged the computer tries to figure out what color the new dots need. Since the computer is guessing it becomes fuzzy. There are programs like Photoshop that have tools to help with the fuzzing. Cameras have specs of 'resolution'. the more resolution the more dots are created so a high resolution will be able to have a very large photo. Your source photo is going to limit how large the image can be pushed until it goes fuzzy.

I think 'Gimp' handles photos, is free, and is like photoshop, but I haven't learned it yet. Photoshop has more functions and is paid software.

Inkscape is a 'vector' based program. Everything is worked out with points and math calculation. As the picture or drawing is made larger or smaller the program calculates the image and has much less trouble reproducing it. Since scroll sawing is about making large and small pieces with images, or letters, I started studying Inkscape first.

I learned CAD with is 3D, but don't know anything outside of it. By the way, bitmap images take up space ie memory as they get larger so many images are limited to 300 dpi or Dots Per Inch, which can be transmitted over the internet. Taking images off the internet will eliminate the size of generally 300 dpi which you will need to redraw or use programs to make larger, probably more expensive programs that use math to estimate what color the dot should be by comparison of the dots around it. Direct download of your camera will result in higher resolution or higher dots and larger images. Also, your own camera work takes the copyright problem out. Either you learn how to rework the larger image, use a different larger image, take a picture or learn a vector based program like Inkscape. I'm learning myself so there are people that will hopefully know both Gimp and Inkscape and can help.

You can get an idea of how large a picture is by right-clicking and looking at properties at the amount of storage it's taking. The higher the larger the pic. RJF

[BigBubbaG]

1 hour ago, teachnlearn said:

 

You can get an idea of how large a picture is by right-clicking and looking at properties at the amount of storage it's taking. The higher the larger the pic. RJF

I think this is what I needed to know.... How to figure out how big a picture is.

I see something on line, down load it, and it prints really small. 

 

Thank you

[teachnlearn]

You need to use a software package like Inkscape, gimp which can scale the picture for you. Once you move the file, ie pictures, graphic, font to the screen you can scale and print. There are lessons on both on this board. There are online scale converters, though once scaled it may or may not have a decent image. RJF

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=free+online+picture+resizer

[RabidAlien]

I use GIMP for photo work, and Inkscape for wordart.  Two different programs with some overlapping of features, but, in my opinion, each has its own strengths.  Kinda like comparing my pickup truck to a Corvette.  Both are classified as vehicles, but with different purposes in life.