How to Seperate Uploaded Images in Inkscape

Layering makes for an excellent way to organize your design elements when working on complex vector designs with lots of objects. What if you're working in Inkscape and you've already created the entirety of your pattern on a single layer though? Unfortunately there is no straight way to separate an image into layers in Inkscape. That's okay though, because this tin be washed manually using the cutting and paste part. In this tutorial we'll be going over a simple workflow for achieving this.

By comparison, Adobe Illustrator has a feature built in called Release To Layers which allows you to automatically carve up all of the elements on your workspace into private layers of their own. Inkscape has no such characteristic though, so we'll accept to do this manually using the cutting and paste system function.

There is one small caveat though — "pasting" is not a suitable pick if yous demand to ensure that your pattern elements remain in identify and aren't randomly repositioned on your canvas. Because of this we will use Paste In Place instead. Permit'due south get started!

Separate An Image Into Layers In Inkscape

To separate an image into layers in Inkscape you must manually movement each private design element into their own layer, either by cut and pasting or by using the Move To Layer function.

The following video tutorial will walk you through the entire process, step past step:

If yous'd like to follow along with what I'm doing in this tutorial then you can download the instance design here: example-design.zip

Keep on for the written tutorial.

Pace 1: Separate your design elements into groups

In order to separate an image into layers in Inkscape nosotros must first determine which design elements are going to be place where.

Y'all can choose to separate your elements individually, or you can make them into groups as I did for this demonstration:

Each of the design elements in this instance blueprint have been segmented into i of three groups. Each of these three groups will be cut and pasted into new layers that we volition create in the next step.

Step two: Open up the Layers carte du jour and add together as many new layers as needed

One time we've separated all of our design elements we tin begin creating new layers.

Open the Layers menu by navigating to:

Layer > Layers

Alternatively, you lot tin can employ the keyboard shortcut which is Command + Shift + 50

With the Layers menu opened, click the plus icon (+) in the bottom-left corner of the menu to add a new layer. Proper name the layer and determine if you'd like to place it above or beneath the layer currently selected.

Each of my three groups of objects will exist placed in ane of three layers, so I accept created three layers every bit depicted beneath:

If you lot'd like to learn more about how layers piece of work in Inkscape check out my tutorial here.

Step 3: Cut and paste each grouping of objects into its corresponding layer

All we take to practise at present to separate an image into layers in Inkscape is cut and paste them into their respective layers.

Select one group of objects and cut information technology by going to:

Edit > Cut

The design element should disappear momentarily. This is normal, do not panic.

Next, select the layer you'd like to place it in by clicking on it in the Layers menu, so paste it in place by navigating to:

Edit > Paste In Place

It's important that you cull "paste in place" over the standard "paste" selection every bit pasting in place will ensure that the blueprint element is not moved on the canvas. For whatever reason, choosing "paste" will place the chemical element in a random location that is dissimilar than its original location relative to the document's X and Y axis.

And that'due south all you lot have to practise! Simply echo this process with the balance of the design elements on your canvas to place them in their own designated layers and you lot're washed!

Keyboard Shortcuts

Navigating back and forth through the menu system to repeatedly cut and paste design elements can go a chip tedious if you're working with a lot of design elements that all need to be categorized into split up layers.

For this it is recommended that you use the keyboard shortcuts instead.

To cut, press Control + Ten on your keyboard.

To paste in identify, press Control + Alt + V on your keyboard.

Alternative To Cutting & Pasting

A user in the comments pointed out that at that place is a "Motility To Layer" role that can be used equally an alternative to cut and pasting. Only right-click on an object (or grouping of objects) and select Move To Layer.

Once selected, y'all volition be prompted to choose a layer to move it to:

Y'all will take to set upwardly the new layers beforehand, of course, but this is certainly a good alternative and an appreciated contribution to the lesson!

Conclusion

Knowing how to separate an image into layers in Inkscape is simply a matter of setting up your layers and and so manually moving them to their designated spot. This shouldn't be too wearisome of a job if you're non working with an overly complex design. All the same, a "release to layers" function (like that establish in Illustrator) could make this a lot easier!

If y'all have any questions or need clarification on whatsoever of the steps taken in this lesson simply get out a comment beneath.

Get A Principal of Inkscape!

Want to learn more than well-nigh how Inkscape works? Cheque out the Inkscape Principal Class – a comprehensive series of over 60 videos where I go over every tool, characteristic and office in Inkscape and explain what it is, how information technology works, and why it'southward useful.

Become A Chief of Adobe Illustrator!

Want to learn more about how Adobe Illustrator works? Cheque out my Illustrator Explainer Series - a comprehensive collection of over 100 videos where I go over every tool, feature and office and explicate what information technology is, how information technology works, and why it'southward useful.

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