Repeat an Object Around a Shape with Inkscape

In this tutorial I’ll be demonstrating how to use Inkscape to take an object and repeat it along the contours of a shape. To do this we’ll be using a handy path effect called Pattern Along Path.
Want to learn more about how Inkscape works? Check out the Inkscape Master Class - a comprehensive series of over 50 videos where I go over every tool, feature and function in Inkscape and explain what it is, how it works, and why it's useful: logosbynick.co...
Need a logo? Check out my portfolio and hire me at: www.logosbynic...
Intro song: "In Da Mood" by Combustibles, used with written permission

[@sumira8669]

You are literally the messias of logo design. No bullshit talking, just pure helpful content and the best methods, delivered with your super pleasant voice. Whenever i have an issue, there's always a short article/video by you, so i don't have to struggle with pages of forum nonsense. Thank you so much for all this incredible knowledge!

[@lazenbytim]

Easily the best out there. KZbin should have prizes for awesome content as voted by us. Sadly its just another marketing funnel now.

[@boiboi3732]

the best.

[@griffjoyce5836]

AGREED - Nick is the best! I’m no designer... just a Teacher trying to get a class taught without looking stupid in front of the kids. Thanks Nick! PS - I bought the course!

[@micahmaxton861]

i dont mean to be off topic but does anyone know a tool to get back into an instagram account? I was dumb forgot the password. I would love any tricks you can offer me!

[@nathanaelbishop5480]

@Micah Maxton Instablaster :)

[@FoeFear]

Bro... I've been doing it manually for a couple of years. The fact that you can do this blows my mind.

[@gomezkabuki]

*You are one of the top educators of open source graphic software on youtube.* Infinite respect.

[@meganmoon6197]

It's so weird how easy this becomes once you understand all the little tools and stuff. These videos have been so helpful!

[@johnjacobkenny]

Amen! Coming back to watch these videos again and the level of understanding is exponential

[@behramcooper3691]

I drew a star and fit it around a circle. So far so good. But when I made the original star bigger, the ones around the circle did not respond in kind. After a long time, I figured out that the original star (or the pattern in your case), needs to be a path and not an object. After that, it worked just fine. Nice trick, Nick. Thanks for sharing.

[@LogosByNick]

Yes, the object needs to be a path for this to work.

[@emperorspock3506]

@@LogosByNick Experiencing a similar problem, but can't figure it out. Copied your meander design using Bezier lines (Bezier the three bits, then Stroke to Path, then Combine). Resizing it doesn't change anything. Editing its nodes does, and works as expected. Resizing the leaf object in your wreath example works perfectly. Any idea what might be amiss?

[@Michiixsunshine]

Thanks! Had the same problem. This helped me a lot!

[@kdallen1234]

@@emperorspock3506 thanks I had the same problem. finally got it thanks.

[@ealusaid]

Oh BLESS you for posting this.

[@Alaskan4Life59]

I've probably watched nearly thirty of your videos in the past and learned so much. I finally clicked on the link for the master class, and you were running a special, all of your courses 39 bucks. I didn't even have to think twice about it. The way you explained the processes and procedures, it's super easy for me to follow and for me to learn. So buying your courses is just a no-brainer. Thank you for everything that you do for people like me who are trying to learn the various softwares, and thank you for making the master classes as well.

[@jayromalamb6769]

it's nice to watch a video that the presenter doesn't look like they've had eight cups of coffee

[@marcuspertel2697]

5+ years of using Inkscape and hearing only now that you can scale the object and get awesome results! Thank you Nick.

[@LorazepamMC]

8:07 Glad to see I'm not the only person who does that! Can't click too many times when it comes to aligning ;)

[@haveiszalfaroqie1628]

You're not operating inkscape well without mousing around the align button at least thrice. Or export your image twice on a same directory.

[@KamaleshwarMorjal]

and hitting Ctrl+S a million times while thinking about the next step

[@mans4104]

The problem is the new Inkscape doesn't have the same menu buttons as your Inkscape.

[@rajataudichya895]

The best channel to not only learn the free tool Inkscape but also graphic design

[@einstienbc]

I use Inkscape to create designs for my CNC router, and one of my favorite things to use are mandala patterns, which I usually source from an image search, then trace the bitmap. This will be very helpful in letting me make my own!

[@stoneybearreviewsSFV]

That's amazing I use it for all my vectors at this point

[@LogosByNick]

That's awesome. I've been watching videos about CNC machinery lately. There's that creative side of me that wants to spend thousands of dollars on it and start learning just so I can start making steel signs and logos.

[@gregsteele806]

I wonder if I could use it to control my vinyl cutters. I've been using Flexi Sign, but the version I have is very old.

[@liv7680]

@@LogosByNick start with a k40 laser engraver. That sets you back around 300 bucks

[@mauriciozavaleta1223]

@@gregsteele806 yeah is very easy to control your vinyl cutter with inkscape , just make sure that you have installed a working driver for your plotter (serial to usb) once you have that ready, go to extension menu click on export and plot, then a window will show 3 tabs. In the first one you will select your COM device or Port, you can find that on windows pressing: windows + R then typing : devmgmt.msc, a windows labeled Device Manager will apear and over COM ports will show you the number of the com por like: COM3, then you go back to your inkscape and select that port, you are almost done just make some calibration on the second tab changing the steps per inch if the plotted figures is smaller or bigger finaly click on apply to start cutting your selected path (will not work on objects) you need to convert all to paths.

[@dwilliams21]

This tutorial BLEW MY MIND!!! I had no idea the program was capable of this. My mind is racing with exciting uses! Thank you for presenting this info in such a clear way.

[@UnShredded]

What a time to be alive! Mind blown! Thanks for the dopamine hit of learning a new skill and I don't even want to design anything.

[@abdulmuhaimin5274]

When you click "Repeated, stretched", it was mind-blowing! If I create repeating chains, I'm so satisfied, right now.

[@richardburgers8965]

you are one of the best instructors explaining inkscape. thanks

[@HarshadItaliya]

Watched almost 50 old videos about Inkscape Tutorial. Best ever Inkscape Tutorial Channel !

[@Bathog44]

Absolute genius. This technique is just what I was looking for to do a detailed coastline on a map. Thanks.

[@michelleochart6617]

Thank you so much for this video! I love inkscape but feel very overwhelmed by all the stuff there is to do. You make it so easy to follow and understand. Thank you! You're amazing!

[@patlab555]

After viewing this video, I can only imagine the great quality of your Master Class. The things with the laurels _crown_ at around 6:15 was a huge mind opening about what we can do with your tutorial. It was a *Wow* moment for me. You are a Great teacher who gives a lot more than expected. Thanks a lot.

[@TheIchalez]

if KZbin tutorial has an Oscar . You must be the winner

[@MadBoosterROTMG]

I have been using inkscape for years and I never knew this is possible! Thank you so much nick!

[@Odonsuccess]

This is the best teacher ever!! So clear and beginner friendly. If we had math teacher as clear and begginer friendly like this in our school days we would have all achieve success.

[@thiagoguimaraes406]

I heard somebody saying his tutorial isn't very clear hahaha

[@markspencer6778]

Never used Inkscape before. This looks great. Thank you KZbin for recommending it.

[@LogosByNick]

It amazes me that people who don't know about Inkscape are finding this video. My audience is typically Inkscape and GIMP users.

[@markspencer6778]

@@LogosByNick I know about those two apps just never used them. I even have Gimp installed just don't have time to play with it. For some reason KZbin recommended this video and I clicked and I'm glad I did. It's probably because I watched some other videos that have "logo" in the title some time ago.

[@jayromalamb6769]

clear, intelligent, no hype or fluff, nice job

[@blueyedsole]

Thx Nick --- I learned so much from you man!

[@jacobopstad5483]

Cool! I've just spent the last 20 minutes or so playing around with this using different designs and got some really neat results.

[@BrianBoniMakes]

Thank you. I just put a sine wave on a spiral! Just what I needed.

[@SrujanRaghavendra-y9h]

You gave me renewed faith in Inkscape. Thanks a lot.

[@teklife]

Your great Inkscape teacher. Long live Inkscape

[@andrewray2507]

Omg I've needed this so many times. Thank you Nick

[@teklife]

Thank you for contributing to free software by creating these tutorial videos to promote and educate about Inkscape

[@MUHAMMADALI-xi4st]

you're the best Nick!!! I haven't seen anyone on youtube doing this good to help people!!!

[@phingly2151]

You are the MAN!! I like how you show us how to do so much with just a few tweaks. Just AWESOME!!

[@Cheryl5154]

I am a new convert to Inkscape -- been using Illustrator for years, but could never get very adept at it. In fact, the last time I tried to use it after upgrading, I got so frustrated that I gave up working on my project. I find Inkscape much friendlier (not to mention FREE) and I am enjoying your videos that I find on KZbin. When you create an object or select one, could you not jiggle it all over, though? It actually has a rather nauseating effect. However, I thank you for kindly sharing your knowledge with the rest of us. I am considering subscribing to your Master Class -- very reasonably priced for all the good stuff there.

[@trelligan42]

Nice to see you posting about Inkscape again - and what a wonderful technique! Your few examples barely scratched the surface of what can be accomplished here. Mind -- blown.

[@LogosByNick]

Yeah this extension can be very powerful if you let your creativity run wild

[@enastypos4212]

@@LogosByNick Hello Nick and Happy New Year!! Beautiful tutorial, as always!! Probably you noticed that when you add the "pattern along path effect" (2:17), your circle is not perfectly round anymore and so will be the final result with the pattern (0:12). To solve this: Just after you add the effect and before you link your pattern, select all 4 nodes of the ellipse with the nodes tool and turn them symmetric. Now your circle is equally round again and you can go on and paste the pattern that you wish.🙂 >EDIT< Even better, if you turn the selected segments to curves. 😃

[@amanmalik3152]

@@enastypos4212 thanks a lot man 🙌

[@idowebwork]

Absolutely love that pattern along path option under path effects.

[@veronicamaita2212]

omg ILOVEUSOMUUCH. Im just a teen who does'nt have enough money to pay the university, but you can give me any explnation about svg on inkscape and you open to me another window to my life. Thank u so much

[@JordanPetersonTech]

Love your lesson on repeat object along path. This old type of graphic design is still very well sought after today and the Inkscape function would save a ton of time! Thanks for another great tutorial Nick!

[@walterarresse6598]

Thank you! You encouraged me to download Inkscape. I've been using Illustrator since '91

[@stoneybearreviewsSFV]

@nick by logos I found inkscape very challenging but upon seeing your Tutorial videos I'm learning a lot into the program. Appreciate the new videos

[@DediDores]

Thank you very much, I learned a lot from you, including buying your course. This anchovy I have been thinking and experimenting with for a long time to make it really round and now I have found it and I made it in my latest video. Previously I used other software and then imported it into Inkscape, now I don't need it anymore.

[@lanceozom]

Hello Nick, name is Lanz started learning inkscape 2 weeks ago found your channel here. I would like to thank for sharing this helpful videos to us really appreciated like me as a beginner. I will check out your Masterclass tutorial soon once I got my new laptop to practice inkscape. Good Job buddy!

[@SnirSigawi]

Definitely saved to "favorites"

[@SoumyaSarkar]

Beautiful. Concise. Clear Voice. Great Recording. Awesome....

[@timothynelson5009]

Thank you so much for all your helpful videos Nick ... This is a great service to all of us trying who are out here trying to figure out how to use Inkscape properly! It may have just be me not understanding what to do, but it took me a while to figure out that after I had drawn the separate bezier lines using a grid (to get the proportions right), I then had to select all the lines of the shape and click 'Path' and then 'Combine' and then copy the shape onto the clipboard. If I didn't do this then the shape wouldn't repeat in the circle. Hope this helps anyone who comes up against the same problem :)

[@kimdallaire7497]

Thank you, this was super well explained and saved me a ton of headache

[@goatbind2069]

I used this technique today and everything turned out amazing. THANK YOU SO MUCH SIR

[@moonunit1234]

The most high class videos on KZbin. Thank you.

[@PENFOLD1962]

I'm thinking about using Inkscape, even more now that I've seen some of the possibilities. Thank you 👍😷👍

[@thiagoguimaraes406]

Amazing! Things I didn't know inkscape could do! Thank you Nick!

[@pattibaileydesigns]

I am constantly beyond amazed at you, Nick!!! Thanks for this video that I can add to my arsenal!

[@Juksemakeren]

in 1.3, this is under the Extensions menu > Generate from Path > Pattern along path - and it works without converting the circle to a path or copying the shape - all you have to do it select them both, then do "Pattern along path"

[@LetMeDieLord]

I can't tell you enough times, how amazed I'm by your generosity Nick. You just put this amazing content up for free!! HIGHLY APPRECIATED!!!!

[@spcornelissen]

Busy running through your masterclasses, 2 topics a night. Thanks for this lesson, always wondered how skillfull one has to be to draw those leaves one by one and space it perfectly... its all about learning from Nick how to use Inkscape.

[@keithdiocares9285]

this man is the definition of a GOAT

[@GarrettPetersen]

For anyone trying to use a group of objects as their pattern, you need to select all the objects, then click on path > union to make them into a single object.

[@eloyhensen]

That nailed it, thx

[@JimbroGames]

I just want to say thank you for making it easy to learn these things your very straightforward with it love it

[@ripichipi]

This is perfect to design soundholes rosettes... Very nice video. Congrats!!!

[@bel31670]

Best videos and explanations I have come across. I highly recommend anyone who uses Inkscape to subscribe to this channel. It Has helped me out tremendously. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

[@brahimbelkacem2844]

You are the bast teacher in the KZbin I ever seen,👍👍👍👍💪👏🙂 thanks for your help.

[@milankarakastutorials900]

Thank you for that tutorial. I will need that knowledge for my laser cutter projects - it is so beautiful.

[@ፈፈፈፈ]

Explanation is perfect...

[@quarkyquarky8393]

I love your videos, I'm learning so much, it's great. Thank you !

[@danielmaure4268]

thanks for your contribution nick, you are my guru's Inkscape, keep it up.

[@junity1]

One of your best tutorials !

[@ashleymorales6760]

Omg, I have been waiting for a video like this. Thank you so so much.

[@lir3379]

Are we sure that I can only give one like? Thanks yet again. You just saved two hrs of my life. Don't want to talk about how I know it's 2 hrs. Just embarrassing. At 65+ every hr counts. edit p.s. maybeeee that's why REALLY old people sleep less! They're in a race to learn everything before time's up. Just thinkin'

[@thomasbaker3249]

thank you for this tutorial. makes my life much easier .

[@Scotlass92001]

wow this is the first video I have seen of yours. You are amazing! So easy to understand. Thank you so much

[@jackiebarton7]

Oh my goodness you are brilliant! Thank you so much for such an amazing tutorial. So glad I found your channel 😊❤🤗

[@68thallabhanusamykya18]

You are such a best teacher in my life , thank you loadssss 🙏🏻

[@cybercog]

Nick thank you for these great tutorials, why pay for expensive software when Inkscape is so powerful!

[@RoseKindred]

Thank you. I know this is an older video but I have not used inkscape before and you explained things very well for a newcomer. It seems powerful but also frustrating, well, I guess until I learn the UI and rules better.

[@tomfoil5590]

Wow! You dance around that program like some kind of sick ass wizard. Well done! Now to watch your other videos. I have much to learn.

[@interestingg]

Thank you so muchhhhhh. As soon as I watched this video I immediately subscribed.

[@erik-benz]

Habe viel von Dir lernen dürfen. Vielen Dank Nick

[@munchymcmouthington298]

well shoot! I've been using inkscape for years now and I'm still picking new things up! I think I'll have to buy that masterclass of yours :)

[@BanMidouSan]

De vez en cuando repaso tus videos porque me gusta mucho la forma en la que explicas. Thanks a lot, Nick!

[@ernestfox4880]

I have been looking for this...THANK YOU!!! 😍

[@LadyParysatis]

Thank you for your wonderful videos! 💚💚

[@thiagoguimaraes406]

I just don't understand those 3 dislikes tho. Like you said, probably Adobe employees.

[@angelusnielson7135]

It's a little unclear to me, though I figured it out eventually.

[@thiagoguimaraes406]

@@angelusnielson7135 well, maybe because you don't know inkscape very well so since it's something new for you, it's complicated to understand everything but I find his tutorials very explanatory and great. I assure you it's hard to find people on KZbin with his knowledge. He's one of the best at what he does. But you can give him suggestions to make his tutorial more clear. Sometimes I don't understand either though but I watch the video again step by step and I manage to complete the design. It's a matter of patience and you have to pay attention.

[@vim1000]

Sometimes i listen with headphones while phone on my pocket. Findout started unfollowing my favorite youtubers.

[@JohnDoe-ot7wv]

those "thumb down" ppl are probably overcharged by the content and so from lower intelligence

[@darkracer1252]

i was going to comment on the fact that the distortion he talked about early on when he makes the pattern really big. it's always present. you just don't see it as easely with a smaller pattern. i guess that's why people disliked it.

[@iman5578]

You, Sir, are awesome!

[@joed2749]

thanks bruh. im new to inkscape and your tutorials really helped a lot.

[@misanthropicmusings4596]

Nick you've really opened my eyes to the power of this tool! Thanks -- you're awesome!

[@ItsNish101]

I need to go ahead and sign up for the Master Class

[@rainpluviophile7680]

Thanks sir for uploading about inkscape again.. I've learn so much how mastering beginner practice about inkscape from you video..

[@darylwayne611]

Amazing tutorial!! Thank you so much, this was very well taught. All the best!!

[@Scotlass92001]

This video made me get the classes. Thankful you are so easy to understand x

[@LogosByNick]

Thanks for enrolling! Hope you find them useful.

[@HipocratesR]

THanks a lot for your time and clear explanation

[@mubbi4291]

You are a life saver man!

[@lisamack4492]

Exactly what I've wanted to learn to create patterns from photos. You're a fine teacher!

[@AbiDArila-gm9bt]

thats awasome trick... Thanks you very much Nick for your knowlodge to share with us

[@beer1for2break3fast4]

Another excellent tutorial. Thank you Nick.

[@peterpotter871]

Man, You are a Rock Star of the graphic design. Appreciated your work ! Generally I don't Subscribe or comment However for your work I can't stop myself to do it :)

[@nhiathao7239]

Oh wow I learned something new. Thank you

[@AngelaEmery13]

Thank you! This is excellent information!

[@selailesu1448]

Thanks a Million!!! I'm so glad to have found your tutorial!

[@anaballesteros-sosa4007]

Thanks you. Very clear and easy to follow. Much appreciated🙂

[@ClaudioMalagrino]

Inkscape is so powerful. Who needs Adobe Illustrator?