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Adding a controlled soft focus to a photo

I'm assuming you've got Inkscape running.
I'm also assuming you've got some basic knowledge of how to use Inkscape.

import an image
From the toolbar:
From keyboard: Ctrl + I
From the menus: File → Import...


"select" it by clicking it once


Snap the image into place
From the menus: Extensions → Modify Path → Pixel Snap...
While this step is optional, it is recommended to align the pixels of your image with Inkscape's invisible grid to prevent the image from being exported in a fuzzy way. Now, I know this is a tutorial on making the image... fuzzy. But what we're looking for is a fuzziness that we control and not one imposed on us by the software.
--Thanks 'prkos' for that tip.


copy the image
From keyboard: Ctrl + C
From the menus: Edit → Copy


open layers dialogue
From the toolbar:
From keyboard: Ctrl + Shift + L
From the menus: Layers → Layer...

• Resize the dialogue box enough to see all its options.

create a new layer
From the menus: Layer → Add Layer...
From the Layers dialogue: click the + icon

• Give the new layer the name "SoftFocusEffect" for this tutorial.
• Click the Add button.
• Once the layer is created, do not close the Layers dialogue.

paste the copied image in place
From keyboard: Ctrl + Alt + V
From the menus: Edit → Paste In Place

• You won't see a difference at this point
• The copied image sits directly on top of original

open the Fill and Stroke dialogue box
From the toolbar:
From keyboard: Ctrl + Shift + F
From menus: Object → Fill and Stroke...


move the blur and opacity sliders till satisfied

• The sliders are in the Fill and Stroke dialogue box.
• Start by reducing Opacity to 50.0.
• Follow by raising Blur to 5.0.
• Continue to adjust sliders till you have the best look.

lock the SoftFocusEffect layer

• In the Layers dialogue box click the small lock icon left of "SoftFocusEffect"
• Click the image again.

export your image with soft focus
From the toolbar:
From keyboard: Ctrl + Shift + E
From menus: File → Export Bitmap...

• Export Area: leave it at "Selection"
• Bitmap Size: 300dpi for printing, 96dpi or 72dpi for webpages
• Filename: Use the Browse button choose where to save the file.

Note: if there's any improvement on this short tutorial that you can recommend, do not hesitate to suggest it.

I'd also do PixelSnap just after you import the photo, so it doesn't get blurred due to off-pixel grid placement.

Thank you for the tutorial!

nice effect.
could someone explain how to do 'pixelsnap', as I get that problem a lot, and it sounds useful?
thanks for the tut too.
dee

It can be found here:
http://code.google.com/p/pixelsnap/

You may have it installed in Inkscape as is.

Try this: Extensions > Modify Path > Pixel Snap...