Bearfruit

Nice Work Matt! I came across your blog through a thread on Slashdot. You were talking about using Inkscape for the web design of the Bazaar site (excellent job on that too btw). Do you use primarily open-source tools for your design work? It seems rare to find designers who aren’t using Adobe products these days.

Thanks for the comment! I do use open source tools a lot, for example, I only use Ubuntu and Inkscape is my vector tool of choice. However, I do also use Adobe Photoshop 6 using CrossOver Office by codeweavers. Not that Gimp is a bad tool, I do use it for minor tasks, but I’ve got years of experience using Photoshop and switching tools is very hard when you’ve got that much time invested.

I’ve started using Krita some since its user interface and features are very familiar to me with my PS background. However, its still feels a little rough around the edges. (looks like a new version is available for Gutsy, so downloading it now)

Glad to hear you mention my comment on slashdot so long ago. Many times I’ve thought I should get something about that posted to the web. I recently did a mini-presentation of Inkscape for web-design at my Lug group and it was well received. I’ve got the graphics ready so just need to do the writing. Now that I know someone cares to see it I feel more motivated to actually do it.

Gimp isn’t the best or easiest tool to deal with — although I felt the same way when I fired up a trial version of Photoshop CS3 the other day. It’s cool to hear that you’ve been using Inkscape for laying out stuff. One thing that I can’t seem to figure out…how to make the resolution in Inkscape match Gimp (or whatever bitmap editing app). Maybe I’ll have to wait for your Inkscape for Web Design post :)

Greg, the trick is to work at 96dpi for everything. I’m pretty sure that’s the default. Of course, its also helpful to always work in pixels.

If I know I’m doing a 950x650px layout, I set the width of the document’s properties in Inkscape to 950x650px. When I export to png format from Inkscape to use in graphics programs, I make sure to use 96dpi. If I do it like this, everything works out just fine.

I don’t know if it’s because I’m running Inkscape on OS X but Inkscape’s default resolution on my machine is 90dpi. If i set the export resolution to the same, my bitmaps are the same size. Thanks for your help.

You’re right, my screen is 90ppi according to inkscape as well. Very interesting! Consistency is the key.