Editing Inkscape and WaterColorBot
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
− | There are three main | + | There are three main software interfaces for driving the WaterColorBot: [[RoboPaint]], [[RoboPaint RT]], and (as described on this page) the WaterColorBot extensions for Inkscape. |
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Inkscape is also capable of importing artwork in PDF format (as well as tracing bitmap graphics to some extent), and saving as SVG graphics that can be used with RoboPaint. Users who have experience with the Eggbot (and its Inkscape based driver) may wish to start with this application, before trying the others. | Inkscape is also capable of importing artwork in PDF format (as well as tracing bitmap graphics to some extent), and saving as SVG graphics that can be used with RoboPaint. Users who have experience with the Eggbot (and its Inkscape based driver) may wish to start with this application, before trying the others. | ||
+ | == Getting the software == | ||
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+ | Installing Inkscape: | ||
+ | * Begin by downloading and installing the latest version of Inkscape, version 0.48.2 or newer. You can find Inkscape [http://inkscape.org/download/?lang=en here]. | ||
+ | * If you are using a Mac (MacOS version 10.6-10.8: Snow Leopard, Lion, Mountain Lion), download and install the latest release of [http://xquartz.macosforge.org/trac/wiki XQuartz] | ||
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+ | Installing the extensions | ||
+ | * Make sure that you've already installed Inkscape | ||
+ | * Download the software from [https://github.com/evil-mad/wcb-ink/releases our github repository]. | ||
+ | * Mac & Windows: Please use the dedicated installer for your platform. | ||
+ | * Linux: Please manually install the extensions | ||
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− | + | Manual installation of extensions for Linux: | |
+ | * Download source code zip file from [https://github.com/evil-mad/wcb-ink/releases our github repository] and unzip | ||
+ | * Move or copy the contents of the "extensions" directory into $HOME/.config/inkscape/extensions | ||
+ | * Move or copy the contents of the "templates" directory into $HOME/.config/inkscape/templates | ||
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+ | USB Driver (Windows only): | ||
+ | * A USB driver is also required for Windows. | ||
+ | * We recommend that you install [[RoboPaint]] on your computer rather than directly installing the driver, as RoboPaint's installer also installs the USB driver. (You do not need to-- and in fact should not --run RoboPaint at the same time as you are driving the WaterColorBot from Inkscape.) | ||
− | == Special information for | + | == Special information for Eggbot users == |
− | The WaterColorBot Control extension is based on | + | The WaterColorBot Control extension is based on our [[Eggbot Control]] extension that operates the Eggbot. If you have had some experience with the Eggbot, you will find most controls to be the same. In particular, you may have had some experience with making a multi-color drawing with the Eggbot, by putting paths that you want to print in different colors on different layers. |
− | The biggest difference between the | + | The biggest difference between the two machines is that since the WaterColorBot can perform automatic paint color changes-- unlike the Eggbot --it ''requires'' that you use multiple named layers when multicolor painting is enabled. |
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=== The WaterColorBot Template / Making a new document === | === The WaterColorBot Template / Making a new document === | ||
− | A WaterColorBot template is included with the software installation. To create a new document pre-formatted for the WaterColorBot, select from the menu: File > | + | A WaterColorBot template is included with the software installation. To create a new document pre-formatted for the WaterColorBot, select from the menu: File > New > WaterColorBot. |
The template is pre-sized at 11" wide x 8" tall, matching the printable area of the WaterColorBot (that is, for a sheet of 9x12 paper, without the margins shown). The template also comes pre-formatted with a layer structure that may help save you some time in preparing your document. | The template is pre-sized at 11" wide x 8" tall, matching the printable area of the WaterColorBot (that is, for a sheet of 9x12 paper, without the margins shown). The template also comes pre-formatted with a layer structure that may help save you some time in preparing your document. | ||
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=== Default paint layers === | === Default paint layers === | ||
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This new extension (still in beta test) can automatically assign colored paths to layers, making it possible for the WaterColorBot to semi-automatically paint them. | This new extension (still in beta test) can automatically assign colored paths to layers, making it possible for the WaterColorBot to semi-automatically paint them. | ||
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