Include an object into group
- Espermaschine
- Posts: 892
- Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:10 pm
Include an object into group
Lets say i have a bunch of objects in various z-orders.
Some of them are in a group, but i want to include more already existing objects into the group.
How can i achieve that without changing the position of the object or ungrouping the existing group ?
It appears to me, what i want is basically the same as moving the object to another layer, with the difference that the layer is not a layer but a group.
Some of them are in a group, but i want to include more already existing objects into the group.
How can i achieve that without changing the position of the object or ungrouping the existing group ?
It appears to me, what i want is basically the same as moving the object to another layer, with the difference that the layer is not a layer but a group.
- Espermaschine
- Posts: 892
- Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:10 pm
Re: Include an object into group
I found out you can use 'Cut' and then 'Paste into place', after entering the group.
The manual also states 'Shift + Ctrl +Alt + Left Mouseclick' can be used, but that doesnt seem to work for me....(except giving me a cramp in the hand)
Anybody knows what im doing wrong ?
The manual also states 'Shift + Ctrl +Alt + Left Mouseclick' can be used, but that doesnt seem to work for me....(except giving me a cramp in the hand)
Anybody knows what im doing wrong ?
Re: Include an object into group
I'm not sure if I understand the manual. Is Shift + Alt + Ctrl + click supposed to select the unselected object from beneath the group? It seems to select individual objects in a group (the one you click on with those 3 keys engaged) and adds successively the next lower object, and it even adds an object that's not in that group (below the group) to the selection.
I guess that's what it's suppose to do. But I'm not sure. I doesn't sound like it's supposed to add new objects to a group.
If I need to add another object to a group, I usually do the technique you described, about Cut/Paste in Place after entering the group.
I guess that's what it's suppose to do. But I'm not sure. I doesn't sound like it's supposed to add new objects to a group.
If I need to add another object to a group, I usually do the technique you described, about Cut/Paste in Place after entering the group.
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- Espermaschine
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- Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:10 pm
Re: Include an object into group
brynn wrote:I'm not sure if I understand the manual.
Me neither...
Im not sure what to make of the word toggle....
But if you divide the sentence from the manual into its two statements, it seems to say two things:
1. Add an unselected object within a Group to a selection.
2. Remove a selected object within a Group from a selection.
Re: Include an object into group
After trying it out and thinking about the text, I think it seems to allow you to add objects to your selection when:
- there's a group (which you did not enter)
- below it, there are other objects
- you want to select a few objects from inside the group, and a few objects from under the group
- there's a group (which you did not enter)
- below it, there are other objects
- you want to select a few objects from inside the group, and a few objects from under the group
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Inkscape FAQ - Learning Resources - Website with tutorials (German and English)
Inkscape FAQ - Learning Resources - Website with tutorials (German and English)
Re: Include an object into group
Btw. the XML editor allows you to move objects into groups, too, as an alternative (although Cut+Paste is easier, as the XML editor doesn't provide a great overview)
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Inkscape FAQ - Learning Resources - Website with tutorials (German and English)
- Espermaschine
- Posts: 892
- Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:10 pm
Re: Include an object into group
Moini wrote:After trying it out and thinking about the text, I think it seems to allow you to add objects to your selection when:
- there's a group (which you did not enter)
- below it, there are other objects
- you want to select a few objects from inside the group, and a few objects from under the group
I think you are correct. Thanks Moini !
Moini wrote:Btw. the XML editor allows you to move objects into groups, too, as an alternative
Could you explain that briefly, please ?
Might come in handy sometime.
Re: Include an object into group
Could you explain that briefly, please ?
A picture paints a thousand words

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Inkscape FAQ - Learning Resources - Website with tutorials (German and English)
Inkscape FAQ - Learning Resources - Website with tutorials (German and English)
Re: Include an object into group
And coming in 0.91 is the new object manager (not sure what the official name is). I suspect that will make it much easier, although I haven't tried it yet (only saw a screenshot).
Basics - Help menu > Tutorials
Manual - Inkscape: Guide to a Vector Drawing Program
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Manual - Inkscape: Guide to a Vector Drawing Program
Inkscape Community - Inkscape FAQ - Gallery
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- Espermaschine
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- Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:10 pm
Re: Include an object into group
The scary part for me was that it also allowed to put a rectangle into a rectangle... I'm not sure that's really valid SVG...
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Inkscape FAQ - Learning Resources - Website with tutorials (German and English)
Inkscape FAQ - Learning Resources - Website with tutorials (German and English)
- Espermaschine
- Posts: 892
- Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:10 pm
- Espermaschine
- Posts: 892
- Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:10 pm
Re: Include an object into group
Espermaschine wrote:It appears to me, what i want is basically the same as moving the object to another layer, with the difference that the layer is not a layer but a group.
I was wondering, i think Lazur said, that a layer is more or less the same as a group in Inkscape.
Wouldnt it be good, if there was an option to transform a group into a layer with one command ?
That would make including objects into a group easier, because one could use the already existing layer commands.
Re: Include an object into group
This works if you use the XML editor.
To turn a group into a layer, enter 'inkscape:groupmode' into the top line, and 'layer' into the text field, then click 'set'.
You've now created a sublayer.
Removing the attribute turns it back into a normal group.
To turn a group into a layer, enter 'inkscape:groupmode' into the top line, and 'layer' into the text field, then click 'set'.
You've now created a sublayer.
Removing the attribute turns it back into a normal group.
Something doesn't work? - Keeping an eye on the status bar can save you a lot of time!
Inkscape FAQ - Learning Resources - Website with tutorials (German and English)
Inkscape FAQ - Learning Resources - Website with tutorials (German and English)
- Espermaschine
- Posts: 892
- Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:10 pm
Re: Include an object into group
Lots of good things coming out of this thread !
Thanks again Moini !
EDIT: i think i need a screenshot, pls. Tried it but not sure where to place the text.
Thanks again Moini !
EDIT: i think i need a screenshot, pls. Tried it but not sure where to place the text.
Re: Include an object into group
Of course, here it is:
(for deletion, select the attribute from the list and click on the (in the screenshot) greyed-out button.)
(for deletion, select the attribute from the list and click on the (in the screenshot) greyed-out button.)
Something doesn't work? - Keeping an eye on the status bar can save you a lot of time!
Inkscape FAQ - Learning Resources - Website with tutorials (German and English)
Inkscape FAQ - Learning Resources - Website with tutorials (German and English)
- Espermaschine
- Posts: 892
- Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:10 pm
Re: Include an object into group
Oh, one new thing I just learnt in the German forum, which isn't documented anywhere (just FTR, in case someone else reads this):
if you select an SVG element (in the left section of the XML editor) and press * , all elements nested inside it will be displayed (unfolded).
if you select an SVG element (in the left section of the XML editor) and press * , all elements nested inside it will be displayed (unfolded).
Something doesn't work? - Keeping an eye on the status bar can save you a lot of time!
Inkscape FAQ - Learning Resources - Website with tutorials (German and English)
Inkscape FAQ - Learning Resources - Website with tutorials (German and English)
- Espermaschine
- Posts: 892
- Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:10 pm
Re: Include an object into group
Moini wrote:all elements nested inside it will be displayed (unfolded).
and the woman in red appears

Re: Include an object into group
You sure there is one in every SVG?
Something doesn't work? - Keeping an eye on the status bar can save you a lot of time!
Inkscape FAQ - Learning Resources - Website with tutorials (German and English)
Inkscape FAQ - Learning Resources - Website with tutorials (German and English)
- Espermaschine
- Posts: 892
- Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:10 pm
Re: Include an object into group
Moini wrote:You sure there is one in every SVG?
Only in Dillerkind's.