The User Interface
Inkscape shows a window for each opened document. Each window contains the toolbars and a white, empty area.
In this manual, we use the Wide view which puts the first toolbar on the right. You can get this view with the menu by selecting .
The main areas of the Inkscape user interface
The application menu bar along the top provides general menu options. Some are similar to other software programs (, , etc.). There are also Inkscape-specific items.
The tool controls bar just below adjusts to the currently selected tool. It displays the tool’s options.
Vertically on the left, the toolbox contains the main drawing tools. Only one tool can be selected at once.
The large blank area is the canvas, where the image is edited.
A black outline represents the visible page area.
On the right side of the window, there are two toolbars. To the left is the commands bar which gives quick access to common commands, which are also available via the dropdown menus. If not all the commands are shown, there is a right-facing arrow that gives access to the hidden choices.
To the right is the snap controls bar. We suggest you deactivate snapping for now, by pressing the topmost button in the bar, or by pressing %.
There are rulers at the top and on the left of the canvas to help with grid and guideline placement.
Scrollbars are available to the right and bottom to move around on the canvas.
The color palette is near the bottom of the window. Its most basic usage is to change the fill color of an object. See also The Color Palette.
At the very bottom, the status bar provides information such as the colors of the selected object, layers, cursor coordinates, zoom level and page rotation. It also contains a field where Inkscape can display helpful texts, such as the number and type of selected objects, or tips about keyboard shortcuts and usage hints. Whenever Inkscape doesn’t do what you think it should be doing, look here first.
Dialogs for specific functionality are available will by default appear attached to the right of the canvas, in the docking area.