Transparent Hole

#1 2019-10-21

Hi all,

I've downloaded the latest version, and am using Inkscape for the first time ever today.

I searched for how to do this, but have not been able to find an answer. Possibly because I'm not using the correct terminology...

I have a blue circle on a transparent checkerboard background. In the middle of the circle, I would like to make a transparent "hole" in the shape of a star, and shows the checkerboard background.

I have made a red star, and placed it on the blue circle. I can make the star transparent, but it shows the blue underneath, and not the checkerboard background.

How can I change the star so that it's a "hole" in the circle, and is filled with the checkerboard background? The example is attached.

Thank you.

-Paul
#2
Flamingolady @flamingolady 🦩 ⚖
2019-10-21

hi Paulmossman, and welcome to the forum. You'll need to ensure that the circle and star have been converted to a path, the star should be on top top of the cicle. Select the star first, and then also the cicle and do path>difference action.

I recommend you learn the basics of inkscape by going to the Learn tab on this forum, as well as look as some youtube vids, logos by nick is a good starting point. Tthe Inkscape online manual is a priceless resource (can be found under the help selection) while you have inkscaope open, from the toolbar). It has a few tuts within it to get you started as well.
#3
paulmossman @paulmossman
2019-10-21

Thank you so much Flamingolady! That worked perfectly on my example!

Now I have a new challenge. I'm actually trying to edit a more complex image. I had four shapes that I wanted to do this to. It worked for three of them, which all seem to have been on top of one other path.

The fourth is proving more difficult. It seems to be on top of many other shapes. When do path>difference it, the shape becomes a different color, instead of the transparent background. I tried to keep doing path>difference, but can't seem to select the original path anymore.

Is there a way to punch a path down through all the other paths, to show only the transparent background?

Thank you.

-Paul
#4
Flamingolady @flamingolady 🦩 ⚖
2019-10-21

Glad that worked for you. When you do path difference you're now seeing whatever the color is that is directly underneath it. So, to get to the bottom transparent level you're going to need to cut through each and every object that is in its way. The problem is that you can't cut through an entire group all at once, so (the easiest way) is to duplicate the (star) pattern and cut through each and every layer.
#5
Tyler Durden @TylerDurden ⚖
2019-10-21 *

There is an extension:
#6
Xav @Xav 👹
2019-10-21
Another approach would be to use a clipping path. This will only work easily if your collection of many shapes are all on one layer, and can be grouped (otherwise you'll have to deal with each layer separately). You actually need an 'inverse' clipping path. The SVG spec doesn't allow for this so you have to create it manually - though I think there's an option for it coming in 1.0. For now, however, here are the steps:
1. Group your objects.
2. Draw a rectangle large enough to cover all the objects. You can leave it with just a stroke and no fill if you want, to make it easier to see what's going on.
3. Draw your clipping shape (the star). Because of the order in which you've created things, this is on top of the rectangle in the z-order.
4. Select both the rectangle and the star then use Path > Difference. This gives you a single path which is a rectangle with a star-shaped hole in the middle. This will be your clipping path - I usually give them a bright green stroke and no fill, but that's just by convention and doesn't affect the final result.
5. Select both the clipping path and the group, then use Object > Clip > Set.
The benefit of this approach is that it doesn't alter the original objects, and the clipping path can be further edited (e.g. to move the star) using the node tool (there's a toolbar button near the right that needs to be on for this to work).
#7
paulmossman @paulmossman
2019-10-22

Thank you Xav! Your instructions worked wonderfully!

(Thank you also Tyler for your suggestion. I tried Xav's suggestion first simply because it didn't require an extension.)

This has been a very positive first expereince with Inkscape and its community. Keep up the great work!

-Paul
#8
Maren Hachmann @Moini 🐙 ⚖
2019-10-23

(Note: the extension is not among Inkscape's stock extensions, and for 0.92.4, one should rather use this better one: https://gitlab.com/su-v/inx-pathops )
#9
stevie @stevie
2019-10-27

Hi, i'm trying to make a rectangle/border, so that i can adjust the thickness of the lines. How is this done?
#10
Flamingolady @flamingolady 🦩 ⚖
2019-10-27

Maren, thx for posting that, I was just getting ready to do a search to find that extension! Didn't know it existed. Q- I downloaded it, but there's no exe file, are there 'dummy' instructions somewhere on where and how to install? I dont do extensions usually, so kinda new to this.

Stevie. Depending on what you mean (not entirely sure I understand the outcome you want) - make 2 rectangles, one smaller than the other, do path>obj to path, then place the smaller one of top of the larger one, (use the align tool to center it if you want), select both and do path>difference, that puts a 'hole' of the smaller rectangle in it. Is that what you are trying to do? If not, please don't hesitate to ask as I may have misunderstood. also, please check the online inkscape manual (there's a link of the help menu in inkscape itself) for path difference and exclusion, etc. Very useful and you'll use it a lot.
#11
Tyler Durden @TylerDurden ⚖
2019-10-27

Dee,

After you download and unzip the files, open the folder "src" in those files and follow the directions below:
#12
Tyler Durden @TylerDurden ⚖
2019-10-27

stevie
Hi, i'm trying to make a rectangle/border, so that i can adjust the thickness of the lines. How is this done?

Stevie: you might only need to change the thickness of the stroke. Look at the tutorials in the Help menu of Inkscape.

The next time you have a question that is different from the original question, start a new topic.

Have a nice day.

TD
#13
Flamingolady @flamingolady 🦩 ⚖
2019-10-27

Thx Tyler. I thought instructions would be in the read me file, it wasnt, but I did learn how to open an md file, that was a fun wild goose chase. :)
#14
Ana @anasetti
2019-10-28

Hello, I made a design and I want to erase what is inside a circle, but I didin't found the tutorial, and the path > exclusion command is not working!

I have this wreath kinda shape, and wnat to add small circles to it, but I want the overlap wreath inside the circles to be erased. Someone can help me, please?

The final picture is what I want, but did that with the paint tool...

PS: I want to make a cut file, so just filling in the small circles with white doesn't help me
#15
Flamingolady @flamingolady 🦩 ⚖
2019-10-28

Tyler, worked great, I'm very excited to start using this!

Anassetti. Typically you would fill the circle with a white (or other color) fill, then use the down arrow to move it between the wreath lines. (see attached pic). You might want to refer to the online manual for the basics on how to do the path commands. It's located in inkscape - help>inkscape manual. (If you need some individual help, could you please start a new thread in the beginner section, that's the best way to receive help).
#16
Maren Hachmann @Moini 🐙 ⚖
2019-10-29

Ana, duplicate your circles, then Path > Combine the duplicate circles, then use Path > Cut Path, and then delete the scrap lines in the holes.