Hi there - sorry about the funny title but I don't know what the correct technical term is!

When you close down a project and then open up Inkscape the next time, all the settings that you previously used have been saved (it would appear).
Whilst I can see this is very useful, when you first start to use the software, it can be baffling (e.g. why can't I find the square I just created; answer, because on the last project you set the opacity tool to 0! LOL)

Is there a way when you open up a new project to remove the last used settings?

Thank you

Caroline

You'll probably be directed to save a default templates folder so each time you open Inkscape you'll get the same preferences.

I, on the other hand prefer to use multiple “default templates” since I use Inkscape for many different projects. It’s simply a matter of setting up an instance of Inkscape for each distinct purpose.

For instance, before I work on a wallpapers project, I set up the preferences and window size that I need and Save As... "wallpaper.svg". When I do screencasts, I use a much smaller window size and save as "screencast.svg". Now every time I do a project I choose the appropriate “desktop icon template” with their corresponding preferences and window sizes.

For regular projects, I usually set up the rectangle, ellipse, and star, tool tool with no stroke. Select each shape and use the corresponding dialog in preferences - This tools own style - Take from selection. I'll also change "Scrolling" in the preferences dialog for my particular work flow. These along with other changes I'm used to, I'll then save this svg as default.svg in my pictures directory and add a desktop icon. There are many way you can customize Inkscape to your work flow.

Each of these templates can be set as desktop icons or chosen through the file manager. This way you’re not restricted to one default template. But don’t forget to "Save As" a different name when you do your first "save as" as work progresses because if you don't, you'll lose the defaults you created. The key here is to set your preferences for each type of project.

Good luck, and if you need further info, just ask.

Ed

Jaws wrote:For regular projects, I usually set up the rectangle, ellipse, and star, tool tool with no stroke. Select each shape and use the corresponding dialog in preferences - This tools own style - Take from selection. (…) These along with other changes I'm used to, I'll then save this svg as default.svg (…)

Tool settings are not stored in the SVG file used as template, they are saved in the preferences file. Only settings from the 'Document properties' are stored with each SVG file (as well as any drawing content, guides and snap settings).

For more information about working with templates, please read Using templates in Inkscape - Libre Graphics World

chocwrap wrote:Whilst I can see this is very useful, when you first start to use the software, it can be baffling (e.g. why can't I find the square I just created; answer, because on the last project you set the opacity tool to 0! LOL)

Is there a way when you open up a new project to remove the last used settings?

Not with regard to the tools & style attributes (default, last used): those settings are saved in the preferences file and persist between sessions. You can reset Inkscape to use the default settings by renaming or deleting the preferences file (quit Inkscape first). The location of the file depends on the platform:

• Linux/Mac OS X

  Code: Select all

  ~/.config/inkscape/preferences.xml
• Windows

  Code: Select all

  %APPDATA%\Inkscape\preferences.xml
  (see e.g. here for default values of %APPDATA%)

Related feature requests for Inkscape:

• Bug #170572 “Revert to default settings”
• Bug #500961 “Preferences dialog / location of preferences.xml”

~suv wrote:Tool settings are not stored in the SVG file used as template, they are saved in the preferences file. Only settings from the 'Document properties' are stored with each SVG file (as well as any drawing content, guides and snap settings).

I never said I was saving anything as a template, I was talking about saving a file with the preferences you prefer and adding a desktop icon or just choosing that particular file in your file manager to launch Inkscape with your chosen settings for the project you're working on. Seems to work for me.

Perhaps I was miss understood by posting this line and loosely using the term template... "I, on the other hand prefer to use multiple “default templates” since I use Inkscape for many different projects." Should have said default files.

Clearly the first sentence in my post was misunderstood. Sorry, I don't need to learn about templates...

For more information about working with templates, please read Using templates in Inkscape - Libre Graphics World

Jaws wrote:I never said I was saving anything as a template, I was talking about saving a file with the preferences you prefer

I did understand that, but tool and style settings (e.g. the last used style attribute "opacity = 0" mentioned by the original poster) are not stored in any SVG file - be it a template or just a drawing file saved elsewhere (an Inkscape template is nothing else then a regular Inkscape SVG file stored in a special directory).

Then perhaps you missed that I mentioned...

But don’t forget to "Save As" a different name when you do your first "save as" as work progresses because if you don't, you'll lose the defaults you created.

Jaws wrote:Then perhaps you missed that I mentioned...

But don’t forget to "Save As" a different name when you do your first "save as" as work progresses because if you don't, you'll lose the defaults you created.

No. My point was: the value e.g. for the last used opacity setting [1] is stored in the preferences file, not in the drawing itself.

[Edit]
[1] or - from your example - the tool style settings ("I usually set up the rectangle, ellipse, and star, tool tool with no stroke.")
[/Edit]

Yes, you're right. I got so used to working with a certain set of preferences it carried over into my assumptions of document properties. Sorry for the misinformation.

Umm, right. I think I got that. Jaws, your explanation made sense to me. so I'll give that a go.

All I was trying to say was that as an inexperienced Inkscape user this is what I've done so far:

1. Opening up Inkscape
2. Started to create an image on the canvas
3. Added a drop-shadow or 2, perhaps some text with a stroke.
4. I then save this (& I know how to do this properly, thanks to you guys)
5. 2 days later, I start another project and open Inkscape
6. I create a circle and all of the settings - colour, stroke style, 0% opacity (if I've used it) - are there from the last project.
I simply wanted to know if I could remove all these saved settings before I started work on the next project.

I think you've given me the answer between you, so Thank You!

Confession time: I'm the sort of person who doesn't site down and work methodically through the manual when I first get some software - I tend to dive straight in. I pan to rectify this

Caroline