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Inkscape cheat sheet

Shift + Alt + B Trace Bitmap
Tools
Shift + Ctrl + 7 Path Effects
F1 + S Selector
Space Use Selector temporarily Toggle visibility
When the "Left mouse button pans when Space is
F12 Toggle dialogs
pressed" option is on in Preferences, Space+mouse
drag pans canvas instead of switching to Selector. Shortcuts within dialogs

F2 + N Node tool Esc Return to the canvas

Shift + F2 + W Tweak tool Ctrl + F4 Close the dialog

F3 + Z Zoom tool Tab Jump to next widget

F4 + R Rectangle tool Shift + Tab Jump to previous widget

Shift + F4 + X 3D box tool Enter Set the new value

F5 + E Ellipse/arc tool Ctrl + Enter In XML Editor, set attribute vallue

F6 + P Freehand (Pencil) tool Space + Enter Activate current button or list

Shift + F6 + B Bezier (Pen) tool Ctrl + Page Up In a multi-tab dialog, switch tabs

Ctrl + F6 + C Calligraphy tool

Shift + F7 + U Paint bucket tool Control bar
Ctrl + F1 + G Gradient tool Alt + X Jump to the first editable field
F7 + D Dropper tool
F8 + T Text tool Navigate
F9 + I Spiral tool Tab Jump to next field
Shift + F9 + * Star tool Shift + Tab Jump to previous field
Ctrl + F2 + O Connector tool
Double click on the tool buttons opens the Change values
Preferences dialog showing the
Up arrow Increase value by 0.1
page of the corresponding tool
Down arrow Decrease value by 0.1

Dialogs Page Up Increase value by 5.0

Page Down Decrease value by 5.0
Shift + Ctrl + F Fill and Stroke
Enter Accept the new value
Shift + Ctrl + W Swatches
Esc Cancel changes and return to
Shift + Ctrl + T Text and Font
canvas
Shift + Ctrl + M Transform
Esc or Ctrl + Z Cancel changes
Shift + Ctrl + L Layers
Shift + Ctrl + A Align and Distribute Canvas
Shift + Ctrl + O Object Properties
Ctrl + Arrow keys Scroll canvas
Shift + Ctrl + H Undo History
+ Zoom in
Shift + Ctrl + X XML Editor
- Zoom out
Shift + Ctrl + D Document Preferences
Alt + Z Activate zoom field
Shift + Ctrl + P Inkscape Preferences
The zoom field in the lower left corner of the window
Shift + Ctrl + E Export to PNG allows you to specify zoom level precisely.
Ctrl + F Find
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1 Zoom 1:1 Shift + Page Up Move to layer above

2 Zoom 1:2 Shift + Page Down Move to layer below
3 Zoom to selection Shift + Ctrl + Page Raise thelayer
4 Zoom to drawing Up

5 Zoom to page Shift + Ctrl + Page Lower the layer

Down
6 Zoom to page width
Shift + Ctrl + Home Raise the layer to the top
Shift + Ctrl + End Lower the layer to the bottom
File
Ctrl + N Create new document
Object
Ctrl + O Open an SVG document
Esc or Ctrl + Z Undo
Shift + Ctrl + E Export to PNG
Shift + Ctrl + Z or Redo
Ctrl + I Import bitmap or SVG
Ctrl + Y
Ctrl + P Print document
Ctrl + C Copy selection
Ctrl + S Save document
Ctrl + X Cut selection
Shift + Ctrl + S Save under a new name
Ctrl + V Paste clipboard
Shift + Ctrl + Alt + Save a copy
Ctrl + Alt + V Paste in place
S
Shift + Ctrl + V Paste style
Ctrl + Q Exit Inkscape
Ctrl + 7 Paste path effect
Ctrl + D Duplicate selection
Palette
Alt + D Clone object
Left click Set fill color on selection
Shift + Alt + D Unlink clone
Shift + Left click Set stroke color on selection
Shift + D Select original
Move the mouse + Drag fill color to objects
Alt + B Create a bitmap copy
Left click
Shift + Alt + B Trace bitmap
Shift Mouse drag can drag stroke color
to objects Alt + I Object(s) to pattern
Shift + Alt + I Pattern to object(s)
Window Shift + Ctrl + U or Group selected objects
Ctrl + G
Ctrl + R Toggle rulers
Ctrl + U Ungroup selected group(s)
Ctrl + B Toggle scrollbars
Home Raise selection to top
F11 Toggle fullscreen
Home or End Lower selection to bottom
F10 Main menu
Page Up Raise selection one step
Shift + F10 + Right Drop-down (context) menu
click Page Down Lower selection one step

Ctrl + F4 or Ctrl + Close document window

W Path
Ctrl + Tab Next document window Shift + Ctrl + C Convert selected object(s) to path
Shift + Ctrl + Tab Previous document window Ctrl + Alt + C Convert stroke to path
Ctrl + + Union
Layers Ctrl + - Difference
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Ctrl + * Intersection Ctrl + Alt + A select all (all layers)

Ctrl + ^ Exclusive OR (XOR) ! invert selection (current layer)
Ctrl + / Division (cut) Alt + ! invert selection (all layers)
Ctrl + Alt + / Cut path Esc deselect
Ctrl + ( Inset path (towards center) Backspace or Del delete selection
Ctrl + ) Outset path (away from center) Arrow keys move selection by the nudge
Alt + ( Inset path by 1 pixel distance

Alt + ) Outset path by 1 pixel Shift + Arrow keys move selection by 10x nudge
distance
Shift + Alt + ( Inset path by 10 pixels
Alt + Arrow keys move selection by 1 pixel
Shift + Alt + ) Outset path by 10 pixels
Alt + Shift + Arrow move selection by 10 pixels
The actual distance for pixel offsets depends on zoom
keys
level. Zoom in for finer adjustment. All the (, )
commands convert the object to path, if necessary, and . or > scale selection up by the scale step
produce regular path. , or < scale selection down by the scale
Ctrl + J Create dynamic offset step

Ctrl + Alt + J Create linked offset Ctrl + . or Ctrl + > scale selection to 200%

These commands produce an offset object, editable by Ctrl + , or Ctrl + < scale selection to 50%
the node tool, standalone or linked to the original. Alt + > scale selection up by 1 pixel
Shift + D Select source. Selecting a linked Alt + < scale selection down by 1 pixel
offset and giving this command will The actual size increment for pixel scaling depends
select the source path of the linked on zoom level. Zoom in for finer scaling.
offset
, rotate selection by the angle step
Ctrl + K Combine paths. This is different
Ctrl + [ or Ctrl + ] rotate selection by 90 degrees
from grouping in that combined
paths create one object. This is Alt + [ or Alt + ] rotate selection by 1 pixel
different from Union in that The actual angle for pixel rotation depends on zoom
overlapping areas are not affected. level. Zoom in for finer movement.
Whether overlapping areas are
H flip selection horizontally
filled is controlled by the Fill:
winding/alternating switch on the V flip selection vertically
Fill & Stroke dialog Left click select an object
Shift + Ctrl + K Break paths apart. This attempts to Shift + Left click toggle selection
break an object into constituent
Double click edit the object
paths; it will fail if the object is one
Ctrl + Left click select within group
solid path
Ctrl + Shift + Left toggle selection within group
Ctrl + L Simplify
click
Alt + Left click select under
Selector
Shift + Alt + Left toggle under
Tab select next object click
Shift + Tab select previous object - Alt + Left click or select under, in groups
Ctrl + A select all (current layer) - This Ctrl + Alt + Left
works on objects within the current click
layer (unless you change that in Shift + Ctrl + Alt + toggle under, in groups
preferences). Left click
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Ctrl + Enter enter group Shift + Tab select previous node

Ctrl + Backspace go to parent group/layer Ctrl + A select all nodes in subpath(s)
Left click + Move select multiple objects Ctrl + Alt + A select all nodes in path
the mouse ! invert selection in subpath(s)
Shift + Left click + add objects to selection Alt + ! invert selection in path
Move the mouse
Esc deselect all nodes
Left click + Move select and move
Arrow keys move selected node(s) by the
the mouse
nudge distance
Alt + Left click + move selected
Shift + Arrow keys move selected node(s) by 10x
Move the mouse
nudge distance
Ctrl + Left click + restrict movement to horizontal or
Alt + Arrow keys move selected node(s) by 1 pixel
Move the mouse vertical
Alt + Shift + Arrow move selected node(s) by 10 pixels
Shift + Left click + temporarily disable snapping
keys
Move the mouse
. or > contract/expand both handles by
Left click + Move drop a copy
scale step
the mouse
Left Ctrl + < or Left scale left handle by the scale step
Left click toggle scale/rotation handles
Ctrl + >
Left click + Move scale (scale handles)
Right Ctrl + < or scale right handle by the scale step
the mouse
Right Ctrl + >
Left click + Move rotate or skew (rotation handles)
Left Alt + < or Left scale left handle by 1 pixel
the mouse
Alt + >
Left click + Move scale
Right Alt + < or scale right handle by 1 pixel
the mouse
Right Alt + >
Ctrl + Left click + scale preserving aspect ratio
, rotate both handles by the angle
Move the mouse
step
Shift + Left click + symmetric transformation
Ctrl + [ or Left Ctrl rotate left handle by the angle step
Move the mouse
+]
Alt + Left click + slow movement
Ctrl + [ or Ctrl + ] rotate right handle by the angle
Move the mouse
step
Left click + Move rotate or skew
Left Alt + [ or Left rotate left handle by 1 pixel
the mouse
Alt + ]
Ctrl + Left click + snap skew angle
Right Alt + [ or rotate right handle by 1 pixel
Move the mouse
Right Alt + ]
Ctrl + Left click + snap rotation angle
. or > scale nodes up by the scale step
Move the mouse
, or < scale nodes down by the scale
Left click + Move move rotation center
step
the mouse
Alt + > scale nodes up by 1 pixel
Shift + Left click reset rotation center
Alt + < scale nodes down by 1 pixel
Esc cancel rubberband, move,
transformation , rotate nodes by the angle step
Alt + [ or Alt + ] rotate nodes by 1 pixel
Node tool H flip nodes horizontally

Tab select next node V flip nodes vertically

Shift + L make line
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Shift + U make curve Shift + Left click + rotate both handles

Shift + C make cusp Move the mouse

Shift + S make smooth Alt + Left click + lock the handle length
Move the mouse
Shift + Y make symmetric
Ctrl + Left click retract the handle
Ctrl + Left click toggle smooth/cusp/symmetric
Shift + R reverse path direction
Shift + J join selected nodes
Esc cancel rubberband or move
Shift + B break selected node(s)
Backspace or Del delete selected node(s)
Rectangle tool
Ctrl + Backspace delete without preserving shape
or Ctrl + Del Left click + Move draw a rectangle
the mouse
Alt + Left click or create/delete node
Ctrl + Alt + Left Ctrl + Left click + make a square or integer-ratio
click Move the mouse rectangle

Enter or Right create node Shift + Left click + draw around the starting point
click or clickclick Move the mouse

Insert insert new node(s) Left click click an object to select

Shift + D duplicate selected node(s) Alt + Left click or select under

Ctrl + Alt + Left
Left click click a non-selected object to select
click
Alt + Left click select under
Shift + Left click toggle selection
Shift + Left click toggle selection
Left click + Move drag a handle to resize or round
Left click select a node the mouse corners
Left click select two adjacent nodes Ctrl + Left click + lock width, height, or ratio (resize
Shift + Left click toggle selection Move the mouse handles)

Left click deselect Ctrl + Left click + lock the corner circular (rounding

Left click + Move select multiple nodes Move the mouse handles)

the mouse Esc deselect

Shift + Left click + add nodes to selection

Move the mouse Ellipse tool
Left click + Move move selected nodes
Left click + Move draw an ellipse
the mouse
the mouse
Ctrl + Left click + restrict movement to horizontal or
Ctrl + Left click + make circle or integer-ratio ellipse
Move the mouse vertical
Move the mouse
Ctrl + Alt + Left move along handles
Shift + Left click + draw around the starting point
click + Move the
Move the mouse
mouse
Left click click an object to select
Shift + Left click + temporarily disable snapping
Move the mouse Alt + Left click or select under
Ctrl + Alt + Left
Shift + Left click + drag out handle
click
Move the mouse
Shift + Left click toggle selection
Left click + Move move a node handle
the mouse Left click + Move drag a handle to resize, make arc
the mouse or segment
Ctrl + Left click + snap the handle to angle steps
Move the mouse Ctrl + Left click + lock circle (resize handles)
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Move the mouse Left click + Move roll/unroll from outside (outer
Ctrl + Left click + snap to angle steps (arc/segment the mouse handle)
Move the mouse handles) Shift + Left click + scale/rotate (outer handle)
Esc deselect Move the mouse
Ctrl + Left click + snap handles to angle steps
Move the mouse
Star tool
Esc deselect
Left click + Move draw a star
the mouse
Zoom tool
Ctrl + Left click + snap star to angle steps
Move the mouse Left click zoom in
Left click click an object to select Shift + Left click zoom out
Alt + Left click select under Left click + Move zoom into the area
Shift + Left click toggle selection the mouse

Left click + Move drag a handle to vary the star

the mouse shape Pencil tool
Ctrl + Left click + keep star rays radial (no skew) Left click + Move draw a freehand line
Move the mouse the mouse
Shift + Left click + round the star Shift + Left click + add to selected path
Move the mouse Move the mouse
Shift + Left click remove rounding Shift + Left click + temporarily disable snapping
Alt + Left click + randomize the star Move the mouse
Move the mouse
Alt + Left click or remove randomization Pen (Bezier) tool
Ctrl + Alt + Left
Left click create a sharp node
click
Shift + Left click add to selected path
Esc deselect
Left click + Move create a bezier node with two
the mouse handles
Spiral tool
Shift + Left click + move only one handle
Left click + Move draw a spiral Move the mouse
the mouse
Ctrl + Left click + snap the handle to angle steps
Ctrl + Left click + snap spiral to angle steps Move the mouse
Move the mouse
Arrow keys move last node by the nudge
Left click click an object to select distance
Alt + Left click select under Shift + Arrow keys move last node by 10x nudge
Shift + Left click toggle selection distance

Left click + Move roll/unroll from inside (inner handle) Alt + Arrow keys move last node by 1 pixel
the mouse Alt + Shift + Arrow move last node by 10 pixels
Alt + Left click + converge/diverge (inner handle) keys
Move the mouse Ctrl + snap last segment to angle steps
Alt + Left click or reset divergence (inner handle) Shift + L make last segment line
Ctrl + Alt + Left
Shift + U make last segment curve
click
Enter or Right finish current line
Shift + Left click zero inner radius (inner handle)
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click or clickclick
Text tool
Esc or Ctrl + Z cancel current line
Left click create/select a text object
Backspace or Del erase last segment of current line
Esc deselect the text object

Calligraphy Arrow keys move cursor by one character

Ctrl + Left arrow / move cursor by one word
Left click + Move draw a calligraphic line
Right arrow
the mouse
Ctrl + Up arrow / move cursor by one paragraph
Left arrow / Right adjust pen width
Down arrow
arrow
Home or End go to beginning/end of line
Up arrow / Down adjust pen angle
arrow Ctrl + Home or go to beginning/end of text
Ctrl + End
Esc deselect
Left click + Move create flowed text
Left click + Move create gradient
the mouse
the mouse
Left click + Move adjust frame size
Double click create default gradient
the mouse
Tab select next handle
Ctrl + Left click + lock width, height, or ratio of frame
Shift + Tab select previous handle Move the mouse
Arrow keys move selected handle by the Alt + W flow text into frame
nudge distance
Alt + Shift + W unflow text from frame
Shift + Arrow keys move selected handle by 10x
Shift + D select external frame
nudge distance
Shift + D select path from text
Alt + Arrow keys move selected handle by 1 pixel
Enter start a new line or paragraph
Alt + Shift + Arrow move selected handle by 10 pixels
keys Ctrl + U toggle Unicode entry

Esc deselect handle Ctrl + Space insert no-break space

Left click + Left open gradient editor Left click + Move select text
click the mouse

Shift + R reverse gradient definition Shift + Arrow keys select text by character

Left click click an object to select Ctrl + Shift + select text by word
Arrow keys
Alt + Left click select under
Shift + Home select to beginning of line
Shift + Left click toggle selection
Shift + End select to end of line
Ctrl + Shift + select to beginning of text
Dropper tool
Home
Left click pick fill color Ctrl + Shift + End select to end of text
Shift + Left click pick stroke color Double click select word
Left click + Move average fill color Click three times select line
the mouse (rapidly)
Shift + Left click + average stroke color Ctrl + A select all text
Move the mouse
Ctrl + B make selection bold
Alt + Left click pick inverse color
Ctrl + I make selection italic
Ctrl + C copy color
Alt + > expand line/paragraph by 1 pixel
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Shift + Alt + > expand line/paragraph by 10 pixels

Alt + < contract line/paragraph by 1 pixel
Shift + Alt + < contract line/paragraph by 10
pixels
Ctrl + Alt + > make the text object taller by 1
pixel
Shift + Ctrl + Alt + make the text object taller by 10
> pixels
Ctrl + Alt + < make the text object shorter by 1
pixel
Shift + Ctrl + Alt + make the text object shorter by 10
< pixels
Alt + Arrow keys shift characters by 1 pixel
Shift + Alt + Arrow shift characters by 10 pixels
keys
Ctrl + [ or Ctrl + ] rotate character(s) by 90 degrees
Alt + [ or Alt + ] rotate character(s) by 1 pixel

Last modification: 3/4/2021 11:35:25 AM

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