Explanation: Stroke to path - Break Apart - Union

This NOT a tutorial video. I'm just explaining the stroke to path - break apart - union technique, since so many of you have asked me about it.
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[@LogosByNick]

*UPDATE* : Inkscape released version 1.0 earlier this year, and it changed the way stroke-to-path works. Be sure to check out an update video I made for the workaround: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaqTn4ihitlseaM

[@newbdagaming7744]

Would dynamic offset work here?

[@NCAAhockeyplayer]

I gotta read the comments more often.. spent half hour tryign to figure it out lol

[@Stewies_Stuff]

Clear as mud

[@jonconstatine1408]

you might not see this but i just want to tell you a big thank you for taking your time and doing these tutorials. they are helping me a lot and i really appreciate it.

[@LogosByNick]

Glad to help!

[@misanthropicmusings4596]

Ditto here! Nick's videos are awesome!

[@brentmandad8094]

SUPER DUPER HELPFUL! Thank you. This video is still useful nearly six years later. Timeless!

[@bam2502]

There is no really existing human being on this planet earth that can explain as detailed as you Nick about using Inkscape, please continue on providing such great videos.... this is a huge help for the FOSS community.. may God Bless you more!!!!

[@angelinamotiee9592]

I watch every video that you make.. but this concept still escapes me. I have to watch this a few more times before I get it.

[@harrison298]

Nick, I just want you to know that 3 and a half years after you uploaded this, you're still blowing minds. This is exactly what I needed, thank you!

[@runninggag1077]

I was just wondering about this. Now let me watch it about ten more times and hopefully wrap my head around it.

[@TrevorBlackmore]

Cheers for this video, Nick. I've practically been saying "stroke to path, break apart, union" in my sleep for a while now but not really known exactly what the mechanics were. Excellent stuff.

[@LogosByNick]

+TrevorBlackmore Thanks, glad I communicated the message effectively.

[@cindismith9449]

You are such a good teacher! You explain everything so clearly. Thank you

[@LogosByNick]

+Cindi Smith Thank you, I try my best. I hate when I'm trying to follow some kind of online instructions and they aren't clear enough, so I try to explain as much detail as possible while not making the video too long.

[@cirederf38230]

Thank you Nick for your ability to teach us the secrets of Inkscape.

[@FinishCarpentryTV]

Thanks so much!

[@Nabro86]

Thank you for posting such videos, I know how much effort It asks to provide good videos. Yours are really good and help people for free. Just great.

[@LogosByNick]

+Geoff .O Thank you, glad to help.

[@rajenkg]

So much informative. A must watch for all the Inkscape or vector designers to understand the basics and concepts of the Objects and Shapes.

[@nadinewhite993]

So glad I stumbled upon this tonight - I posed the question on another of your tutorials last night or so. This explains everything. Cheers and thanks.

[@LogosByNick]

+Nadine White Yes I was getting asked this question quite frequently, so I made a video explaining it. Glad I got my message across well enough.

[@YammyBoh7]

Clears up soooo much! Literally answered the majority of my questions. Love your videos, thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@PTM1008]

You are the proof gentleman that when you got skills; it doesn't matter if you are using illustrator or inkscape.... You will definitely manifest what you imagine... Good tutorial!

[@TheOomgosh]

I have been binge watching a lot of you tutorials since I downloaded Inkscape yesterday trying to create a logo for myself. I am loving your explanations except for the part where you leave out what exactly is happening in the steps you are doing. Then I stumbled onto this and the Inkscape Explained series. That took care of a lot. Thanks for these videos, they are helping a lot. I had one logo design before that did not scale well (and was not a vector drawing), and now I have a couple ideas and working on more. I was also checking out your website, also great, I will probably be getting those ebooks in the near future. Thank you for sharing your knowledge on logo design and Inkscape

[@LogosByNick]

Thanks Adam. Glad to help!

[@TechnoTinker]

Thanks! I learned exactly what I was looking for in the first three minutes of your video. I was using this to design a stencil for my neighbor to cut out on her Cricut, and this helped me subtract the appropriate areas so as not to confuse the poor little machine like my first attempt.

[@LayGraPhix]

It's always great watching you God bless you

[@dyohi]

Have you tried the Path|Linked Offest feature. It seems like a faster approach and the outlines will reflect any changes you make to the original path.

[@LogosByNick]

+dyohi Just tried it. My mind is blown. I had no idea that feature was there or what it did. From what I see so far, it seems like a far more practical approach. I'll be using that moving forward. Thanks!

[@mikeraz9258]

Nick Saporito could you share a tutorial with this approach too?

[@REALMUSICC12]

That would be awesome Nick. I am always wondering and thank you to dyohi

[@doctorskrillex5254]

dyohi thank you for sharing with all of us

[@jonatanyair]

Dyohi which command do you recommend Linked Offset or Dinamic Offset. I can't see difference, only that one use the object and the other firts duplicate the object.

[@reggiecl]

Hi Nick thanks for creating very good and very clear inkscape tutorials. Keep it up!

[@chandramouliks1441]

You really are the best tutor for inkscape. Thanks a lot.

[@drsorak]

Very useful. Thank you very much for explaining this technique.

[@futterknecht]

Your videos are still helpful in 2019 Nick! Thanks!

[@riston249]

You should make more of these technique videos, they really help me understand the process.

[@LogosByNick]

+Riston Ille-Potter I probably will. Thanks for the feedback.

[@chrismadden5563]

great explanation of such a key technique. Thanks, Nick.

[@NgocNguyen-ue8ox]

I'm watching all of your videos! Thank you so much for these tutorials!

[@LogosByNick]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@rblihovde]

Yeah, that helped me understand the process! Thanks Nick!

[@brunoacf]

Thank you, Nick. All your videos are awesome.

[@TimHaers]

Thank you very much for this nice explanation. Now it´s all much more clear.

[@karthikjayadevan4748]

This video was really necessary. Please mention this video whenever you do this technique in other videos, as people new to your channel can easily understand why you do that technique. PS: Please do videos on the basics of GIMP like those of Inkscape you have. (Like the Inkscape Explained series)

[@Aeroxima]

That's amazing, I was trying to do something else and this explained what these functions do and I was able to get what I wanted, thanks!

[@hildaionhart3111]

Damn Ive been using inkscape for my comics for 3 years now but I never knew this features until I saw your videos.. big help and thank you!

[@mixculturelife1396]

Excellent way of teaching!

[@nedgreen7271]

Thanks again. Great work

[@blondii73]

Thank you for this explanation.

[@LogosByNick]

+Thomas Oberhäuser No problem

[@dxpvxo711]

Another great video nick.

[@begriddled]

"This is NOT a tutorial video": I beg to differ. It's just about 5 years old now but this remains a hugely helpful tutorial video!!!

[@kerenmakesstuff8841]

Perfect, just what I was looking for. Thank you!

[@inonil309]

Thank you so much. I was wondering what you quickly saying.... Path.. Union.. Break.. Etc... Now i got it cleared.. Thanks again.. 💐💐💐💐💐

[@byaznakbeunique4007]

finally made it! there was always extra layer and when I finally realized, I just deleted. Thanks alot for Your precious time

[@TrevorJones007]

Great video! Thank you.

[@phattcat69]

Awesome Video Nick!!! Thank you sir!!!! im really enjoying inkskape now.

[@medialoco5328]

Dude your videos are tops! Gracias!

[@m4meeran]

Nice basic thing i learnt. Thanks alot

[@68thallabhanusamykya18]

Thank you Nick sensei 😆😃 for tutorials

[@megsman4749]

Now I get it!! Thank you so much!

[@tiger23800]

I understand it now. Thanks.

[@Forcemaster2000]

Great explanation video!

[@LogosByNick]

+Chris Wells Thanks

[@adinnurulqomar9232]

Thank you very much!! You're Awesome!!

[@LogosByNick]

+Adin Nurul Qomar Thanks, glad to help :)

[@albertgalvez2556]

Ahh very useful, your a great instructor and thank you.

[@guilhermelucio]

Awesome!!! Thank you very much, I had this doubt!!!

[@LogosByNick]

+Guilherme Lucio Glad to help

[@JustinTyme1966]

Outstanding 👍

[@desotopete]

this helped a lot thnks

[@benyowaty]

Thank You :)

[@MSKChess]

thankyou so much, super clear

[@caigner]

Thanks! I was already wondering... :-)

[@adeelahmed3388]

Well sir thank you so much

[@kakekfaris]

Thanks a lot nick, this is the answer that i need!. I am just wondering why you don't just delete the part that is been break apart instead of doing that union thing, but i understand now that's the same thing and union thing is simpler because we don't need to slide the foreground object.

[@Jadinandrews]

This saved me a lot of frustration!

[@robozbeci]

Beautiful! I searched exactly this :) thanks

[@sanjibphukan3570]

okay thank you for posting

[@primeradianttechnologies3085]

You are awesome

[@tibolefevre]

Thank you very much for all your tutorials, you are very clear, even for the french i am ! ;-)

[@LogosByNick]

+Thibaut Lefevre Thanks! Glad the language difference isn't too much of a barrier

[@zackhartmann]

so good

[@Stimpitty]

just curious, why recommend duplicating an additional object to create that space... versus filling the second object white with a blue stroke? this is awesome, thank you as always, will be getting your PDF shortly!

[@surinfarmwest6645]

Nick, this method is far more accurate than using linked/dynamic offsets in Inkscape v 0.92.4 as the edges do not get rounded. West

[@forageforage3520]

Nick thanks for awesome vids. Q: What software do you use to make your instructional Videos.. ?

[@thepainter4028]

Hey Nick would you explain what the different snapping tools do, please? I see you use them a lot. I can't seem to choose the right ones to get them to snap to what I need them to. I got a bit of a better understanding watching your pie chart (not sure what you named that video) video but would love an Inkscape Explained on those tools as well. Thanks for all the great videos they're very helpful!

[@LogosByNick]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll be going over snapping in a future video for sure!

[@thelollygagproject]

Hello Nik, thank you for your videos. I have been looking at your videos to hopefully find a solution to my current inkscape issue. I am doing some line drawings to be cut on a laser cutter. The issue is the lines have vectors on both sides of it, meaning there are actually two lines. Do you know how I remove one of them?

[@HandOfVarley]

Greetings! Great video it definitely explains more of what’s going on with that technique and I’m trying to follow along but when I do the “stroke to path, break apart, union” it doesn’t behave the same way as yours and essentially it looks like nothing happens Any idea as why that might be? Side note literally just downloaded Inkscape and started watching your videos so I’m a total beginner

[@Anas-ky8jb]

Hye nick, I like those icons you used in your computer. May i know where i can get those icons?

[@shravanpoojary7495]

Hey Nick. I've been following your video and I was trying to follow your steps so I created a box but for some reason when I select stroke it doesn't show up. I can only see the plain blue box I am not able to get the red border. It would be helpful if you could tell me how to fix it. Thank you.

[@SunroseStudios]

oh!! i never realized "break apart" could create objects in the negative space, that's fascinating!

[@miguelrosalez113]

Do you have a to tutorial with the same technique using letters/fonts? solid colored letters with a border around it including the empty space. Thank you!

[@Serifinity]

Thanks for your explanation Nick, all your videos are so well made, I really enjoy them. Do you think it would help the end user of they were listed in Inkscape as Object to Stroke, and Stroke to Path. Following along with your video, I think it would make more sense that way.

[@agustin-tochimani]

Hi, I’m new to Inkscape and new to use the big box software for designing artwork Is there an offset command as I seen in another free software design?, thanks

[@eren7056]

Thank you soooo much for this!!! I've finally successfully created google logo...

[@yash1152]

Some questions: * 6:31 why do union, when you can just delete the smaller object?? What added benefit does that give us? (edit: 7:39 ohh, so when u do break operation, u've both objects selected... doing union is easier rather than having to deselect, right??)

[@tanzimahmed2886]

please if possible make a video on color theory and how to think creatively on designing a logo . :)

[@aspergerhellasbn]

You are explaining so calm and nice mate .well done . I will watch your other videos too! I have one question to make if it's easy to explain. So i use inkscape for laser cutting but i am facing one problem most of the times. When i insert an image (jpeg) for example after tracing it i get the vector if i remove fill and keep the stroke then i have 2 strokes around the item . So if i want to laser cut i must remove one of the two strokes. Is there a way to remove one stroke easily or i must do it manually by selecting step by step every part of the path and deleting it? I have not figured any fast and easy way yet and it is much time consuming .I hope you have some time and reply .

[@TheBelcebub]

So... what i don't quite understand still is this: you can pretty much get the same result by just duplicating the shape, make it have a stroke in for example white colour, duplicate the larger one, make it have a stroke too and you have the same looking result, just with strokes instead of paths. Which, if you don't need to manipulate paths any further, would be more than enough. Looks the same anyway. You're right, it's horrible trying to explain this stuff in text.

[@LogosByNick]

+TheBelcebub Yeah you're right, you'll still get the same result by keeping it a stroke, but with less options as far as manipulation goes. That's where my problem lies, though. I usually like to manipulate the graphic further. Also, if you're saving the file as a SVG or EPS and sending to someone else (client, colleague, etc.) who will be opening it with Illustrator, that might cause problems. I've had instances where I opened an Inkscape SVG with Illustrator and Illustrator automatically changed the stroke sizes on everything to Illustrator's defaults. So I like to finalize graphics without having any strokes for the sake of cross platform compatibility.

[@TheBelcebub]

Thanks for replying, what you say makes complete sense. I do finalize the svgs like that too, but a lot of times i tend to have an easier time being able to manipulate strokes while i'm working (instead of paths - for example line icons). That would in the end completely depend on the work i'd be doing i guess. Also thanks for your vids btw, they're awesome.

[@cherten1]

Nick will this sequence work with a bitmap trace. I have been having trouble. After my trace I have a solid black outline which I make a stroke to path. I take my paint bucket and fill in all my colors as I want them. For some reason I can't seem to make this a whole except by going to group selected objects but if I understand right this is not a path or am I confused. I am new at this. Thanks

[@Troy-ol5fk]

Is there a 'offset' command to select a contour and expand it outward in order to create the gap?

[@drebach4251]

hi, how did you get your interface dark like that?

[@issachernandez1828]

For some reason my small square ends up in the back... Is there any way to revert back to the small square being at the front?

[@arnabraha7430]

hi what version you're using its looks different?

[@mastermill79]

Thank you. You are up there with tutor4u on in depth explanations and the realisation that tutorials are educational in nature and not just a tool to show off what you can make :)

[@LogosByNick]

+mastermill79 Thanks! Quite the compliment!

[@mastermill79]

+Nick Saporito (LogosByNick) Keep knocking em outta the park mate. You're doing a great job :)

[@qapla]

I know this is an older video and maybe you have explained this sometime - I have not watched all your videos ... can you do a video where you explain the difference in "break apart" and "ungroup" as well as the difference in "group" and "union". If you have already addressed these things, please point me to the right video(s).

[@focus4815]

good

[@user-oy5yw9uk6q]

i have a prblm when i click in the 2 chapes and click diffrencese it says to me one of the object is not a path

[@sword123n]

Hi I'm looking to do signage & I need to set my font thickness to 8mm font thickness/ width ( brush stroke of the each letter in the words ) is this possible by the method shown by you here in inkscape ? Thanks 😄

[@abusam1]

I drew lines and circles with different stroke width (no fill) on inkscape, I wanted to laser engrave those lines& shapes with different stroke .svg , but it is showing all as same stroke width into laserGRBL, if I apply on say a circle (stroke-to-path) I get two circles inside each other in LaserGRBL🤯. why can't I get a circle (or any other shape) with different thickness outlines ?

[@jonasvirsila4179]

I'm confused. Right now my mind is blown, did you selected all of the shapes to make the outline or only the shape that you want to make a "Select to Path"? Cause right now, I just saw you selected the front snowman shape this whole time and that part got me "What?".

[@moover123]

When I union objects, the path often still crosses the object where it shouldn't. This is really a serious problem for me, especially when I want to stroke it. There'll be strokes right across the object where it shouldn't. What am I doing wrong? :(

[@LogosByNick]

+ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ I'm not sure I understand. Do you have a screenshot of it?

[@andia.3917]

Hello...work this with Version Inkscape 1.0 , too?

[@T-Cap4]

Does this till work on 1.0? I have been having issues even when I follow step by step. Thanks!

[@1951split]

I also have problems with that sequence... But 1) duplicate, 2) stroke to path, 3) ungroup and 4) union works for me...

[@michaelkrailo5725]

Nick, @1:41 mark you made a confusing statement that the square/rectangle is not an object yet (I realize this is an older video). I don't think that is true though. Everything that can be drawn on the canvas including all the basic shapes are indeed objects. It's just that after converting to a path, it becomes a different type of object. My reasoning is that all objects have a bounding box and can be selected, grouped together, broken apart if applicable, ungrouped if applicable, etc... I'm pretty sure in the programming sense they are all objects as well. If you open the Objects viewer, and create one simple square, it is listed in the viewer suggesting that it is an object IMHO. Great video as always, I just wanted to throw that out there. What's more confusing is the name that is assigned to that square remains rect1464 or whatever number, even after it is converted to a path! I really like using that objects viewer as it is easy to see and rename each object as required while working on something that begins to be complex or has multiple layers. The status bar at the bottom is also helpful in identifying grouped objects as well. I would not have been aware of all of this if it wasn't for your Master Class on Inkscape.

[@vernabadenhorst8102]

Nick I was watching this video of yours, and you know what? I just couldn't get the freakin difference function to work! I'm using the new version of Inkscape, and not only did my nodes disappear once I sent the 2nd and 3rd layer to the bottom, but the break apart function wouldn't work, and I couldn't get the difference function to work either! I was sooooo frustrated! And you know why it wouldn't work? BECAUSE THE FREAKING FILL WAS ON! Once I turned that off on the 2nd and 3rd layer when I sent them to the bottom, everything else worked like a bomb! Is that right? I clearly didn't watch the updated video...not that I have now. But I feel It's not necessary seeing that I have now already figured out what was wrong. But I think I will thanks

[@thedartt]

I'm looking to do this exact thing in adobe illustrator, but can't figure out the wording to find an illustrator version.. any insight? Thanks!

[@bam2502]

I think there is an object to path in illustrator