Making own Vector Library

[yetanotherpainter]

As it says in the docs I put svg file in symbols directory but my vector library docker does not showing additional item in the list.

What am I missing?

Is this vector file has to have some specific properties? I use InkScape to make it.

[AhabGreybeard]

Searching the forum for “vector library” gives this topic:

Make your own Vector Library the sneaky way

To make nice sophisticated vector libraries, you should use Inkscape (or similar applications) and spend time learning how to do it. However, you can make your own vector libraries by hand crafting .svg code like a rugged pioneer/explorer. Here is a starter kit: MyLittleVectorLibrary.zip one-shape.svg, two-shapes.svg and two-shapes-grouped.svg were made by Layer → Import/Export → Save Vector Layer as SVG with just that particular symbol of the library on the vector layer. Then, the .svg c…

It sounds like you didn’t make symbol tables inside the .svg file.
Inkscape will do that for you if you can remember the techniques, which I never can.
There are YouTube tutorials for the subject, that’s how I learned over two years ago but I can’t remember any of it for Inkscape.

[yetanotherpainter]

Thanks! I will take more careful look on this.

[kaichi1342]

When I made my vector library, I find it faster to just create a bunch of shape in inkscape, group them give that group a name. Then open the resulting SVG file in a notepad [I honestly just use notepad++].

Open one of the starter svg in notepad, [I made an empty svg, and copied the symbol tag from pepper and carrot].
Inside that symbol tag i just copied and paste whats inside my grouping in my first svg file.
Then i just duplicate that and and copy/replace / paste the next group file.

kinda seem complicated when dealing with text file, but with many symbols - like in my speech balloon set - I find it faster.

I honestly find the symbol way in inkscape cumbersome / I tried it that way and i just got confuse and my resulting vector library was not what i was expecting.

[tiar]

There is some possibly more detailed info how to achieve this here: https://www.reddit.com/r/krita/comments/8a5rw1/svg_problems/

[yetanotherpainter]

Interesting. So it is kinda multiple stage job.
Can it be done in different way? Meaning I take let say one of the files from Krita and empty it out. In inkscape I put my own objects.

[AhabGreybeard]

@kaichi1342 I agree that Inkscape feels cumbersome when making vector libraries and it was a process that I did not enjoy.

It does have one particular advantage: If you make the vector symbol artwork first, by whatever method and then arrange it neatly in a visual presentaion - you can then create the symbol tables and as well as functioning as a vector library in krita, it will display in an .svg viewer as you saw it when you made it.

This is a purely cosmetic advantage but it would be very useful for someone who wants to know what is inside the vector library, ‘at a glance’ before they decide to add it to the symbols folder and use it.

@kaichi1342

[I honestly just use notepad++]

It’s a multi tabbing, syntax highlighting editor, which is all you need

[AhabGreybeard]

@yetanotherpainter

@yetanotherpainter

Meaning I take let say one of the files from Krita and empty it out. In inkscape I put my own objects.

What you propose would be very confusing for you. If you’re going to use Inkscape then you should learn to do it properly in Inkscape from the start.

I recommend that you use something like Notepad++ to study the MyLittleVectorLibrary files so that you understand the basic structure, which is not at all complicated and then use what you learn to make your own simple vector library with three or four symbols in it.
You can make your symbols in krita and Layer → Export each one to .svg then using Notepad++, you can combine them into a vector library.

[kaichi1342]

A tuto on this process, inkscape way and notepad/text way might be due.
I might put a text one for how i do it, and maybe all inkscape way if i can recall it.

[AhabGreybeard]

For Inkscape, I watched this YouTube tutorial:
Creating symbol libraries in Inkscape - YouTube

As I remember, he missed out an important little detail that I eventually figured out. I can’t remember what that was though.

There is this follow up tutorial he made:
Inkscape - updating a symbol library - YouTube

Here is another one that seems well made but i haven’t watched it in detail:
Inkscape Tutorial - How to Create Icon Symbol Sets by VscorpianC - YouTube

As far as I can find, these Inkscape tutorials are very rare on YouTube but there may be written tutorials on various personal blogs and other websites so a Google search may find them.
If I did want to make a vector library for krita, I’d use Notepad++ (or whatever editor) and build it myself.

[kaichi1342]

Here is a hastily made guide.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tbSrvmq-RUOYNPLc8eIJpnqFNqCRhXfe/view?usp=sharing

@AhabGreybeard I hope you dont mind that I use your file as a starter for this tuto. It’s a lot more cleaner than what I have.

[AhabGreybeard]

@kaichi1342 I don’t mind at all. Whatever I post here (except for finished artwork) is for anybody to use in any way they want to.

I’m surprised that you used Inkscape to make the vector symbol artwork because I find it easier to use krita. It depends which you prefer I suppose.

I’m thinking about making a ‘totally minimal’ vector library example file that has only those components that are essential for a krita vector library.
i.e. minimal ‘administration’ items at the start and no visible elements code at the end.
If I ever do that, I’ll post it as a reply here or in a new Tutorial topic if this topic gets closed.

[kaichi1342]

Thank you.

@AhabGreybeard

I’m thinking about making a ‘totally minimal’ vector library example file that has only those components that are essential for a krita vector library.
i.e. minimal ‘administration’ items at the start and no visible elements code at the end.
If I ever do that, I’ll post it as a reply here or in a new Tutorial topic if this topic gets closed.

That would be great, would help in expanding the creation vector libraries.

@AhabGreybeard

I’m surprised that you used Inkscape to make the vector symbol artwork because I find it easier to use krita. It depends which you prefer I suppose.

For this one , I actually drew it in krita and bitmap trace it in inkscape.
I’m use to it - outside of krita , its the other software I use alot mostly for layouts and making icons.

[AhabGreybeard]

OK … Here is a minimal vector library that has only the essential elements needed to work in krita. It’s a stripped down variant of the initial My-Little-Vector-Library.svg file, with lots of comments to explain things.

Minimal-MLVL.svg