Scientific Illustration – Inkscape Masterclass for Life Scientists

Scientific Illustration - The Inkscape Masterclass

Welcome

Course Introduction

Introduction

Visual Principles

Inkscape Setup

Inkscape Installation

Inkscape UI Setup, Dialogs and Navigation

Layout

Inkscape Page Layout Options

Design Layout

Bonus Download

Bonus - Inkscape Layout Symbols Files

SVG Objects

Creating and Modifying Primitive SVG Objects

SVG Object Size and Rotation

Fill and Stroke Color Basics

Copy, Paste, Duplicate and Clone

Practice

Creating a Simple Cell

Working with Paths

Practice

Creating a Mitochondrium with Paths

Working with Strokes

Summary to SVG objects

Shape Builder Tool

Shape Builder Tool Functions

Project - Synapse 1

Project Overview

Synapse from simple objects

Creating Synaptic Vesicles

Creating Neuro Transmitters

Color

Introduction to Color in Design

Picking Colors in Inkscape

Creating Palettes from Nature

Inkscapes Color Swatches

Color Gradients

Practice

Creating a 3D Lipid

Project - Synapse 2

3D Effects via Gradients

Adding Schematic Synaptic Receptors

Creating Zoomed View Insets

Adding External Content

The Protein Data Base (PDB)

Importing External Icons

Project - Synapse 3

Create a Double-Lipid Membrane

Importing and Modifying Images (PDB protein Structure)

Bitmap Tracing - Convert Images to SVG Paths

Adding Ligands

Text and Labels

Introduction to Text and Font

Arrows and more in Inkscape

Project - Synapse 4

Adding Labels and Finetuning

Saving and Exporting Files

File Saving

Saving / Exporting our Synapse Design

Bonus Material

Create a 3D Lipid Membrane in 2D

Closing Remarks

Scientific Illustration

Synapse from simple objects

From Analogous to Digital

Start with your layout sketch on paper and digitize it by taking a photo or scan it.
Import it as an image into the design software (here Inkscape), best in a separate layer to be able and draw on top digitally.
Re-draw (on top) by using simple, primitive SVG objects to get started (take the most similar objects resembling the shape of your analogous drawing.

Alternatively, start directly digital with primitive objects orienting on a hand drawn (non-digitized) sketch. Don't skip the analogous sketching part, though!