Cutting down inkscape to remove un wanted features

Dale,

Inkscape is too large for generic answers. If you want to remove particular features, you'd have to mention them. You'd also have to have a build environment ready too.

Please be more specific.

Hi Alexandre,

Many thanks for your prompt reply. I appreciate you interest. Not sure
how much more 'detail you need. If you want more just ask.

As I explained, I'm not a programmer so even 'a build environment ready '
doesn't mean much to me but already suggests removing components will be
tricky, so that's that on that score. However, I've thought a little more
and concluded that for the purpose I have in mind, the program needn't be
tinkered with internally at all; in fact, far better that it isn't- avoids
all kinds of problems. All that is needed is removal /disabling of various
menu items that launch functions that would never be needed- Means the
program remains intact but the tools are much fewer and menu options reduced
(hence less overwhelming for some-one unfamiliar with drawing packages). To
all intents and purposes the program would be used as if the user simply
didn't know of the existence the features removed from the menus.

In fact, the ideal solution would be a utility within Inkscape to switch
things on and off and save the result as a default setting, so when the
program is downloaded from the main project website or copied the settings
remain in place. Useful perhaps not only to me but possibly other users
wanting to customize the Inkscape user interface to produce a drawing tool
for people with different level of experience?. Does any thing of this sort
already exist?

Examples of the Tools to be 'disappeared' i.e. made unavailable, would be
the spiral tool, 3-D Box tool, calligraphic tool, stars and polygons tool,
tweak objects by painting and sculpting. But the main 'disappearances'
would be on the menus. I suspect that none of the extensions or filters
would be useful, and of the other menus many, many items could be made
unavailable.

Of course, experienced graphic users not intimidated by the full gamut of
tools could just download the full version (or if there was a utility with
in the program, switch things back on), Their illustrations in turn could
be opened and viewed by users of the 'disappeared' simple version and vice
versa.

Does this clarify? Can't be more specific at this early stage, I'd have to
use the program for the job to know exactly what features are redundant but
the account below, should give you an idea of what kind of functions that
need to remain and should have an idea of what I'm aiming at..

a very basic but powerful edit/ draw pen
with ability to create a small set of default templates
with ability to stretch and scale
with colouring/fill functions,
with layers,
ability to put in arrows
with text input,
ability to cut and paste in other graphics and photos and files from other
vector packages,
the ability to separate out various bits of the graphic, scale to size,
ability to convert to bitmap and export for print by conventional publishing
as bitmaps.

In short something to produce/edit and annotate coloured basic line drawings
and add photos. All these are present already, I just need to 'disappear'
all the other confusing.overwhelming mass of unneeded tools and functions.
I'd need to use the program for a job to know exactly what features are
redundant and that's where a utility within the program to switch things on
and off would be an ideal solution and would come into its own. I could then
test out various options myself and work out the best complement of tools
for the job in hand.

The only feature I think may be lacking in Inkscape is a word search
function. The user will have recorded their name or number, the date and
location in a specified box on their document file. I need to explore
Inkscape further to see if the text input functions offer any scope for a
database retrieval system based on information put into a text box, with in
the file, (similar to a DTP a word search function) . Such a function
would greatly enhance the value of the project as user could search a
database of files for anything submitted by person ..'x' or anything from a
particular area or part of the world etc. Again that aspect needs thinking
about and maybe an add on developed. But at a push, such search data can
just be put in the file header.

I hope this clarifies and I look forward to your reply,

I've cc'd this to pal of mine who may also have some ideas

Many thanks

Dale

----- Original Message -----
From: "Alexandre Prokoudine" <email address hidden>
To: <email address hidden>
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 10:01 PM
Subject: Re: [Question #206861]: Cutting down inkscape to remove un
wantedfeatures

Your question #206861 on Inkscape changed:
https://answers.launchpad.net/inkscape/+question/206861

    Status: Open => Needs information

Alexandre Prokoudine requested more information:
Dale,

Inkscape is too large for generic answers. If you want to remove
particular features, you'd have to mention them. You'd also have to
have a build environment ready too.

Please be more specific.

--
To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
this email or enter your reply at the following page:
https://answers.launchpad.net/inkscape/+question/206861

You received this question notification because you asked the question.

> The only feature I think may be lacking in Inkscape is a word search function.

'Edit > Find…' can search for text.

In the next major version (0.49), it will be possible to search for values for arbitrary attributes too, and the enhanced dialog will also allow to find & replace (both text content as well as attribute names and values).

Dale

You will have to compile Inkscape to get rid of menus or menu item features. This is not too difficult, just follow the instructions found in http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/Win32Port (I presume this is windows), if it's for Ubuntu Linux, I can build this for you if you wish.

The file you need to alter is src/menus-skeleton.h , just take out the lines that you don't want. Keep a copy of the original menus-skeleton.h just in case.

Roger

Roger

What I meant by 'take out' was comment out, using // , so for example to take out File - Save As, for example, find the line

" <verb verb-id=\"FileSaveAs\" />\n"

and change it to

//" <verb verb-id=\"FileSaveAs\" />\n"