In Inkscape, on Mac, can't kern type

I'm sorry but I don't know of any tool that can do that job 'automagically' for you. If you dare another attempt I'll try to guide you with more detailed instructions how to create and save the necessary file using TextEdit.

What keyboard layout/language do you use?
Do you have 2 option/alt keys left and right?
Any key combinations with <option> you regularly use to insert special characters when writing text? Do you need those in Inkscape?
Where did you get stuck following the instructions in the FAQ?
Which version of X11 did you install (menubar > X11 > About X11...)?

too torridly-technical? ;-)

Hi there - I just realise I also have this problem with Gimp... so I
really need it fixed. What would happen if I used another keyboard?

Well to answer your questions:

What keyboard layout/language do you use? English, standard I think.
Do you have 2 option/alt keys left and right? No, only on the left - it's a laptop.
Any key combinations with <option> you regularly use to insert special characters when writing text? Do you need those in Inkscape? No, none.
Where did you get stuck following the instructions in the FAQ? The first instruction into the Xterm resulted in it simply not recognising file or directory.
Which version of X11 did you install (menubar > X11 > About X11...)? 2.3.0 is what I have now...

Thanks for your help with this!

~suv wrote:
> Your question #71770 on Inkscape changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/inkscape/+question/71770
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> ~suv requested for more information:
> I'm sorry but I don't know of any tool that can do that job
> 'automagically' for you. If you dare another attempt I'll try to guide
> you with more detailed instructions how to create and save the necessary
> file using TextEdit.
>
> What keyboard layout/language do you use?
> Do you have 2 option/alt keys left and right?
> Any key combinations with <option> you regularly use to insert special characters when writing text? Do you need those in Inkscape?
> Where did you get stuck following the instructions in the FAQ?
> Which version of X11 did you install (menubar > X11 > About X11...)?
>
> too torridly-technical? ;-)
>
>

Hi Kate!
My point of reference is the Inkscape FAQ
<http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/FAQ#How_to_make_Alt.2Bclick_and_Alt.2Bdrag_work_.3F>,
not the inkscapeforum posting hence maybe some differences.

I will provide you with a minimal key mapping where only the left
<option> key is changed.

First - follow the FAQ about the mouse settings in X11. Then, quit
X11.app, and

1) open new document with TextEdit
2) make sure that the file format is 'Plain Text' (no styles toolbar)
3) copy & paste the following code (between the two '---' lines) into
the new document:

---
! ----------------------------------------------------------------------
! ~/.Xmodmap : key mapping file for Inkscape & GIMP
! remaps left <Option/Alt> to <Alt_L> to enable text kerning in Inkscape
! ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Keycode 66 = Alt_L
add mod1 = Alt_L

! ----------------------------------------------------------------------
---

4) TextEdit > File > Save As... Navigate to your Home Folder
5) enter Filename (without quotes) '.Xmodmap' (watch upper/lower case!)
6) uncheck 'If no extension is provided, use ".txt".'
7) uncheck 'Hide extension'
8) 'Save' -> Confirm the following popup message to 'Use "."'
9) restart X11 and test
10) report back ;-)

These 'dot-files' are not visible in the finder (in case you are worried
because it doesn't show up in your home folder). If you need to edit the
file later on, I can explain how to find it using the search function.

hth, ~suv