Creating a Polaroid frame using Inkscape Vector Graphics Editor

Updated: 20 Ramadan 1433H / 9th August 2012M, Kh.
5 Ramadan 1433H / 24th July 2012M, Ra.

17 Syaaban 1433H, Sa.

Assalamualaikum. This was an attempt to create a vector Polaroid frame using the Inkscape Vector Graphics Editor software. The results are shown in Pic 1, Pic 2 and Pic 3.

Pic 1 - Refer to Step D. Bunga-1. Encik Semut & Puan Bunga = Mr. Ant & Mrs. Flower.
Polaroid frame + outside Polaroid frame + drop shadow.

Pic 2 - Refer to Step E. Bunga-2.
Polaroid frame -- outside Polaroid frame + drop shadow.

Pic 3 - Refer to Step F. Bunga-3.
Polaroid frame -- outside Polaroid frame -- drop shadow.

Encik = Mr.
Semut = ant
Puan = Mrs.
Bunga = flower

A raster Polaroid frame guide has already been created some time ago. See this post:
Polaroid frame effect using GIMP
(http://ubuntudigest.blogspot.com/2010/05/polaroid-frame-effect-using-gimp.html)



Part A: Installing the Inkscape Vector Graphics Editor software

Pic 4 - More info on the Inkscape Vector Graphics Editor package as shown in Ubuntu Software Center.

1. Run Ubuntu Software Center.


2. In the search field, type in the search term:

inkscape

The search results will auto-filter as you type. See Pic 5.


3. Click on the Inkscape Vector Graphics Editor package.

Two buttons will appear, the More Info button and the Install button. See Pic 5.

To read more about the package and the available add-ons, click the More Info button. When ready to install, click the Install button.

To install straightaway, click the Install button.

Pic 5 - Refer to Step 3. Searching for the Inkscape package in Ubuntu Software Center.

4. The Authenticate window will appear prompting for your password to authenticate the installation action.

Type-in your password in the Password field, then click the Authenticate button.

Depending on your Internet connection, allow time for the package to be downloaded then installed into your system.

Pic 6 - Refer to Step 4. Authenticating the installation of the Inkscape package.

5. The Ubuntu Software Center window can be closed once the installation process is completed.



Part B: Creating a vector Polaroid frame

The measurements used are according to the dimensions of the Spectra Polaroid. See here:
Polaroid frame effect using GIMP
(http://ubuntudigest.blogspot.com/2010/05/polaroid-frame-effect-using-gimp.html)

Pic 7 - Screenshot of the Inkscape Vector Graphics Editor software.

6. Run Inkscape Vector Graphics Editor.


7. To set the canvas size, go to File > Document Properties... . See Pic 8.

The Document Properties (Shift+Ctrl+D) window will appear. See Pic 9.

In the window, on the Page tab, in the Custom size section, set the:

• Units: in

• Width: 4.00

• Height: 4.13

Then close the window.

At 100% zoom, the canvas will look like Pic 10.

Pic 8 - Refer to Step 7. Accessing the Document Properties (Shift+Ctrl+D) window.

Pic 9 - Refer to Step 7. Setting the size of the canvas.

Pic 10 - Refer to Step 7. The canvas with the new measurements. Compare canvas shape with Pic 7.

8. Save the work by clicking File > Save As... .

The Select file to save to window will appear. See Pic 11.

In the window:

• Give the file a name in the Name field.

• Save the file somewhere. I put it on the Desktop. (As of 9th August 2012M, i noticed that i've accidentally deleted the file ><)

• Make sure the format for the file is Inkscape SVG (*.svg).

Then click the Save button.

For the succeeding saves, use File > Save or simply use the Ctrl+S keyboard shortcut. Make saving your work frequently a habit. The easiest is to save after completing each Step -- right before proceeding to the next Step.

See here for more shortcuts:
Inkscape keys and mouse reference
(http://inkscape.org/doc/keys045.html)

Pic 11 - Refer to Step 8. Saving the file for the first time.

9. By default, the current layer you see on the canvas is named Layer 1. Lets rename this layer.


Method 1

9.1. Click Layer > Layers... . See Pic 12.

The Layers (Shift+Ctrl+L) dialog, see Pic 13, will appear on the right-hand side of the Inkscape window.

Pic 12 - Refer to Step 9. Accessing the Layers (Shift+Ctrl+L) dialog.

Pic 13 - Refer to Step 9.1. The Layers (Shift+Ctrl+L) dialog.

9.2. In the Layers (Shift+Ctrl+L) dialog, right-click the layer that needs to be renamed.

In the right-click menu select the Rename Layer... . See Pic 14.

The Rename Layer window will appear. See Pic 15.

Pic 14 - Refer to Step 9.2. Right-click menu.

9.3. In the window, see Pic 15:

• Change the Layer name from Layer 1 to Background.

Then click the Rename button.

Pic 15 - Refer to Step 9.3. The Rename Layer window.

Method 2

9.4. Follow Step 9.1.


9.5. In the Layers (Shift+Ctrl+L) dialog, see Pic 13, simply click on the layer's name to rename.

Then rename the layer.

Press the Enter button or click anywhere to accept the name change.
Press the Esc button to cancel the change.


Method 3

9.6. To rename the currently active layer, go to Layer > Rename Layer... . See Pic 16.

Pic 16 - Refer to Step 9.6. Accessing the Rename Layer window.

9.7. The Rename Layer window will appear. See Pic 17.

In the window:

• Change the Layer name from Layer 1 to Background.

Then click the Rename button.

Pic 17 - Refer to Step 9.7. The Rename Layer window.

10. Creating the Polaroid frame.


10.1. Create a new layer by clicking Layer > Add Layer... . See Pic 18.

The Add Layer window will appear. See Pic 19.

In the window:

• Name the layer as Polaroid frame in the Layer name field.

• Make sure the new layer is Above current in the Position field.

Then click the Add button.

Pic 18 - Refer to Step 10.1. Accessing the Add Layer window.

Pic 19 - Refer to Step 10.1. The Add Layer window.

10.2. Click the Rectangle tool icon in the left-hand side vertical toolbar. See Pic 20.

Create a rectangle on the canvas. I'll refer to this rectangle as Rectangle-1. See Pic 22.

Use the the Controls bar (the horizontal toolbar at the top of the Inkscape window) to set the dimensions of the Rectangle-1.

I set the dimension as, see Pic 21:

• X: 0.000 in

• Y: 0.000 in

• Make sure the padlock is unlocked.

• W: 4.000 in

• H: 4.125 in

Press the Enter button or click anywhere to accept the name change.
Press the Esc button to cancel the change.

Pic 20 - Refer to Step 10.2. The Rectangle tool icon in the left-hand side toolbar.

Pic 21 - Refer to Step 10.2. The dimensions of Rectangle-1.

11. To give Rectangle-1 some color make sure the Polaroid frame layer is active. Check the Layers (Shift+Ctrl+L) dialog.


11.1. Right-click Rectangle-1. In the right-click menu, select the Fill and Stroke. See Pic 22.

The Fill and Stroke (Shift+Ctrl+F) dialog, see Pic 23, will appear on the right-hand side of the Inkscape window.

Referring to Pic 23, select the Fill tab, then click the Linear gradient icon. A horizontal line (we will get back to this line in Step 12) will appear in the center of Rectangle-1, see Pic 28. Click the Edit... button.

The Gradient editor window will appear. See Pic 24.

Pic 22 - Refer to Step 11.1. Accessing the fill and stroke properties of Rectangle-1. Rectangle-1 is the Polaroid frame.

Pic 23 - Refer to Step 11.1. Accessing the Gradient editor window for Rectangle-1.

11.2. Creating the very light gray stop.

In the Gradient editor window, in the Stop Color section, under the RGB tab, type-in:

• R: 227

• G: 225

• B: 225

• A: 255

or

• RGBA: e3e1e1ff

e3e1e1 would be the hex (hexadecimal) color while ff would be the opacity (alpha).

Then click the Add stop button. See Pic 24.

Pic 24 - Refer to Step 11.2. Creating the light gray stop for Rectangle-1.

11.3. Creating the white stop.

Still in the Stop Color section, under the RGB tab, type-in:

• R: 255

• G: 255

• B: 255

• A: 255

or

• RGBA: ffffffff

Then click the Add stop button. See Pic 25.

Pic 25 - Refer to Step 11.3. Creating the white stop for Rectangle-1.

11.4. Deleting stops.

Still in the The Gradient editor window, check the drop-down menu for stops other than those mentioned in Step 11.2 and Step 11.3.

To delete those extra stops, click that extra stop in the drop-down menu. Then click the Delete stop button. See Pic 26.

You should have only two stops in the drop-down menu by the end of this step. See Pic 27.

The Gradient editor window can be closed when done.

To convert colors, see here:
Color converter - HEX to RGB and rgb to hex color converter
(http://www.yellowpipe.com/yis/tools/hex-to-rgb/color-converter.php/)

Pic 26 - Refer to Step 11.4. Deleting extra stops in Rectangle-1.

Pic 27 - Refer to Step 11.4. The two stops for Rectangle-1: the light gray and white stops.

11.5. Take note that we want the color to come from only the fill and that nothing comes from the stroke (outline).

Go to the Stroke paint tab and make sure the No paint icon is selected.


12. About the horizontal line mentioned in Step 11, see Pic 28.

If you don't see the line, make sure to select the Rectangle tool icon, see Pic 20, then click Rectangle-1.

The horizontal line (gradient line?) is used to control the direction of the gradient. Move the handles and you move the direction of the gradient.

Click-hold-drag the small square handle (start of linear gradient) of the horizontal line to the upper-left-hand side of the square.

Click-hold-drag the small circle handle (end of linear gradient) of the horizontal line to the lower-right-hand side of the square.

Move the handles around to get the gradient effect you want. Just switch the handles around if your handles do not match mine like in Pic 29. Or feel free to do it anyway you like :)

Pic 28 - Refer to Step 12. The horizontal line at the center of Rectangle-1 as mentioned in Step 11.1. The blue, circular shape you see in the screenshot is to demonstrate the opacity of the Polaroid frame.

Pic 29 - Refer to Step 12. Shifting the direction of the gradient.

13. Creating the photo area.

A new rectangle, namely Rectangle-2, will be created on top of Rectangle-1. See Pic 31.

Using Rectangle-2 as a "cookie cutter", a hole will be cut out in Rectangle-1.

The hole will be the photo area.


13.1. Click the Rectangle tool icon, see Pic 20.

Create Rectangle-2 on top of Rectangle-1.

In the Controls bar, set the dimensions of Rectangle-2 as, see Pic 30:

• X: 0.187 in
• Y: 1.063 in

• W: 3.625 in
• H: 2.875 in

Change the color of Rectangle-2 for better contrast if you need to. See Pic 31.

Pic 30 - Refer to Step 13.1. The dimensions of Rectangle-2.

Pic 31 - Refer to Step 13.1. Rectangle-2 is the "cookie cutter". Rectangle-1 is the Polaroid frame. The hole is the photo area.

13.2. Creating a hole the size of the photo area.

Select both rectangles either by

• Ctrl+A or
• click-hold-drag and select the whole canvas or
• press the Shift button to multiple-select.

Go to Path > Difference. See Pic 32.

A cut will be made instantaneously. See Pic 33.

Pic 32 - Refer to Step 13.2. The photo area before the cut. Notice the presence of Rectangle-2.

Pic 33 - Refer to Step 13.2. The photo area after the cut. Notice the absence of Rectangle-2.

14. Creating the drop shadow.


14.1. Take note that the Polaroid frame and the drop shadow will be automatically combined together permanently. It might be a good idea to make a duplicate of the Polaroid frame before proceeding further to avoid having to create the frame repeatedly. See Point D, Point E and Point F.

Right-click the Polaroid frame layer in the Layers (Shift+Ctrl+L) dialog. See Pic 34.

In the right-click menu select Duplicate Current Layer.

A new layer with the word "copy" at the end of the name will be created. See Pic 38.

Click the eye icon to show or hide the layer.

• An opened eye means the layer is visible.

• A closed eye means the layer is invisible.

Click the padlock icon to lock or unlock the layer.

• An unlocked padlock means the layer is editable.

• A locked padlock means the layer is uneditable.

Pic 34 - Refer to Step 14.1. Duplicating the Polaroid frame layer.

14.2. Go to Filters > Shadows and Glows > Drop Shadow... . See Pic 35.

The Drop Shadow window will appear. See Pic 36.

In the window, set as:

• Blur radius, px: 7.0

• Opacity, %: 80.0

• Horizontal offset, px: 8.0

• Vertical offset, px: 8.0

Put a tick in the Live preview box to see instantly the effect of the drop shadow settings. Then click the Apply button to apply the drop shadow effect.

Pic 35 - Refer to Step 14.2. Accessing the Drop Shadow window.

Pic 36 - Refer to Step 14.2. Dimensions of the drop shadow in the Drop Shadow window.

15. Creating the secondary frame (the frame outside the Polaroid frame).


15.1. Create a new layer for the secondary frame. See Step 10.1.

In the Add Layer window, see Pic 37:

• Name the layer as outside Polaroid frame in the Layer name field.

• Make sure the new layer is Below current in the Position field.

Then click the Add button.

At the moment this is the order of the layers in the Layers (Shift+Ctrl+L) dialog, see Pic 38:

• Polaroid frame copy

• Polaroid frame

• outside Polaroid frame

• Background

The layers can be rearranged by being raised or lowered using the buttons at the bottom of the Layers (Shift+Ctrl+L) dialog.

Pic 37 - Refer to Step 15.1. Creating a new layer for the secondary frame.

Pic 38 - Refer to Step 15.1. The layer arrangement in the Layers (Shift+Ctrl+L) dialog.

15.2. Create a new rectangle, namely Rectangle-3, on the outside Polaroid frame layer.

Using the Controls bar, make Rectangle-3 to this size, see Pic 39:

• W: 5.000 in

• H: 5.125 in

Pic 39 - Refer to Step 15.2. The dimensions of Rectangle-3.

15.3. To center Rectangle-3 on the canvas, go to Object > Align and Distribute... . See Pic 40.

The Align and Distribute (Ctrl+Shift+A) dialog will appear on the right-hand side of the Inkscape window.

Select everything on the canvas.

In the Align and Distribute (Ctrl+Shift+A) dialog, under the Align section, see Pic 41:
(i) Relative to: Smallest object Page

(ii) click the Center on vertical axis icon

(iii) click the Center on horizontal axis icon

Pic 40 - Refer to Step 15.3. Accessing the Align and Distribute (Ctrl+Shift+A) dialog.

Pic 41 - Refer to Step 15.3. Aligned Rectangle-3 with the Polaroid frame and drop shadow.

15.4. Changing the color and opacity of Rectangle-3.

Right-click Rectangle-3. In the right-click menu click the the Fill and Stroke. See Step 11 and Pic 22.

In the Fill and Stroke (Ctrl+Shift+F) window, on the Fill tab, make sure to select the Flat color icon. See Pic 42.

In the Flat color section, on the RGB tab type-in:

• R: 255

• G: 255

• B: 255

• A: 90

or

• RGBA: ffffff5a

Pic 42 - Refer to Step 15.4. Giving Rectangle-3 the proper color and opacity.

15.5. The photo area needs to be cutout, again, this time for Rectangle-3.

Simply repeat Step 13 because this step is similar to that step.

Change the colors of Rectangle-2 for better contrast if you need to.

Press the Shift button to multiple-select Rectangle-3 and Rectangle-2.

By the end of this step the frame will look something like Pic 43.

Pic 43 - Refer to Step 15.5. The photo area after the cut.

16. Enlarging the canvas to include Rectangle-3.

Click Rectangle-3.

Go to File > Document Properties... . See Pic 8.

The Document Properties (Ctrl+Shift+D) window will appear. See Pic 44.

On the Page tab, under the Custom size section, expand the Resize page to content... by clicking on the small triangle beside it.

Click the Resize page to drawing or selection button.

After clicking, the canvas size will automatically change to:

• Width: 5.00 in

• Height: 5.12 in

Close the Document Properties (Ctrl+Shift+D) window.

Pic 44 - Refer to Step 16. Resizing the canvas to accommodate Rectangle-3.

17. Placing the caption.


17.1. Just so we don't mess up anything in case something goes wrong, we will give the caption its very own layer. We will put the caption layer on the topmost of the layers.

Click the Polaroid frame layer in the Layers (Shift+Ctrl+L) dialog.
Then go to Layer > Add Layer... . See Pic 17.

The Add Layer window will appear.

In the window, see Pic 45:

• Layer name: Caption

• Position: Above current

Then click the Add button.

The arrangement of layers in the Layers (Shift+Ctrl+L) dialog at the moment is shown in Pic 46.

Pic 45 - Refer to Step 17.1. Creating a new layer for the caption.

Pic 46 - Refer to Step 17.1. Current layer arrangement in the Layers (Shift+Ctrl+L) dialog.

17.2. To add the text, click the Text tool icon, see Pic 47, which is in the left-hand side toolbar.

Click-hold-drag to create a text field in the lower part of the Polaroid frame.

=======
Update: 20 Syawal 1433H / 6 Sep 2012, Ju.

17. Click the cursor on the canvas to add text. Then type-in/paste your text.

Do not click-hold-drag as a way to add text. See Note-4.

Source: Ubuntu Digest: How to setup the Squiggle browser + add an underline in Inkscape
(http://ubuntudigest.blogspot.com/2012/08/how-to-setup-squiggle-browser-add.html)

=======

The Controls bar will turn into the text-formatting toolbar where you can change the properties of the text.

Type-in your text in the text field.

Adjust the text properties (text field, text type, text size and text alignment) to your taste.

I used, see Pic 47:

• Font: Freestyle Script

• Size: 40

• Alignment: Align left

• Font color: black

To edit the text, you can also go to Text > Text and Font... . See Pic 49.

The Text and Font (Ctrl+Shift+T) window will appear. See Pic 50.

Pic 47 - Refer to Step 17.2. The Text tool icon.

Pic 48 - Refer to Step 17.2. Properties of the caption text.

Pic 49 - Refer to Step 17.2. Accessing the Text and Font (Ctrl+Shift+T) window.

Pic 50 - Refer to Step 17.2. The Text and Font (Ctrl+Shift+T) window.

17.3. Changing the font color.


Method 1

(i) Using the Text tool, highlight the text.

(ii) At the bottom of the Inkscape window, right-click the color you want then select Set fill. See Pic 51.

If you want to give color to the outline of the text, select Set stroke instead.

Pic 51 - Refer to Step 17.3. Changing the font color.

Method 2

You can also use the Fill and Stroke (Ctrl+Shift+F) dialog. See Pic 23.

Go to the Fill tab to set the fill color.

Go to the Stroke tab to set the outline color.


18. A layer specially for the photo.


Method 1

In the Layers (Ctrl+Shift+L) dialog, click the Background layer to activate it (make it the current layer).

Then go to Layer > Add Layer... . See Pic 18.

In the Add Layer window, see Pic 52:

• Layer name: Photo here

• Position: Above current

Then click the Add button.

This should be the final arrangement of the layers in the Layers (Ctrl+Shift+L) dialog, see Pic 53:

• Caption

• Polaroid frame copy

•  Polaroid frame

• outside Polaroid frame

• Photo here

• Background

Pic 52 - Refer to Step 18. The Add Layer window for the Photo here layer.

Pic 53 - Refer to Step 18. The final arrangement of the layers in the Layers (Ctrl+Shift+L) dialog.

Method 2

If you do not want an extra layer, you can rename the Background layer to Photo here layer instead.

Simply click the layer's name in the Layers (Ctrl+Shift+L) dialog and rename.



Part C: How to use the frame

A. Importing a photo.


A.1. Click the Photo here layer in the Layers (Ctrl+Shift+L) dialog to activate it.


A.2. Go to File > Import... . See Pic 54.

The Select file to import window will appear. See Pic 55.

In the window, locate the photo then click the Open button.

Similarly you can simply drag-and-drop the photo onto the canvas.

In my case, the jpeg GDK pixbuf Input window appeared. See Pic 56.

For the:

• Link or embed image: i chose embed.

Then clicked the OK button.

Depending on the photo size, the importing process might take a few minutes.

Pic 54 - Refer to Point A. Accessing the Select file to import window.

Pic 55 - Refer to Point A. The Select file to import window.

Pic 56 - Refer to Point A. The jpeg GDK pixbuf Input window.

A.3. Once the photo is on the canvas, to resize the photo proportionally, press the Ctrl button, then click-hold-drag one of the handles of the photo to resize.

Pressing the Shift button will resize the photo along the axis corresponding to that particular handle.


B. To edit the caption, click the Text tool icon then click the text field on the canvas. See Step 17.2.


C. To save the file in another format (PNG).


C.1. When you are done editing and ready to export your work, go to File > Export Bitmap... . See Pic 57.

The Export Bitmap (Ctrl+Shift+E) window will appear. See Pic 58.

Pic 57 - Refer to Point C.1. Accessing the Export Bitmap (Ctrl+Shift+E) window.

C.2. In the Export Bitmap (Ctrl+Shift+E) window:


(i) under the Export area section, click the Page button. See Pic 58.

Regarding the:

• Page button -- exports according to the canvas size.

• Drawing button -- exports everything inside and outside the canvas area.

• Selection button -- exports according to the size of the selected object on the canvas

• Custom button

Pic 58 - Refer to Point C.2. The Export Bitmap (Ctrl+Shift+E) window.

(ii) Under the Bitmap size section, increase or decrease the size of the resulting document if you need to. Otherwise proceed straight to Step C.2.iii.


(iii) Under the Filename section, click the Browse button. See Pic 58.

The Select a filename for exporting window will appear. See Pic 59.

In the window, give the file a name and location. Then click the Save button. The window will disappear.

Pic 59 - Refer to Step C.2.iii. The Select a filename for exporting window.

(iv) Then click the Export button. See Pic 59.

The file will be saved using the PNG format.


D. To save the Polaroid frame + drop shadow + outside Polaroid frame. The result will look something like Pic 1.


D.1. Make sure at least the:

•  Caption layer,

•  Polaroid frame layer,

• outside Polaroid frame and

•  Photo here layer

are unlocked and visible. See Step 14.1.


D.2. Then follow Step C.

In Step C.2.iii, click the Page button.


E. To save the Polaroid frame + drop shadow -- outside Polaroid frame. The result will look something like Pic 2.


E.1. Make sure at least the:

• Caption layer,

• Polaroid frame layer and

• Photo here layer

are unlocked and visible. See Step 14.1.


E.2. Activate the Polaroid frame layer.

On the canvas, select the Polaroid frame.


E.3. Then follow Step C.

In Step C.2.iii, click the Selection button.


F. To save the Polaroid frame -- drop shadow -- outside Polaroid frame. The result will look something like Pic 3.


F.1. Make sure at least the:

• Caption layer,
  

• Polaroid frame copy layer and

• Photo here layer
  

are unlocked and visible. See Step 14.1.


F.2. Activate the Polaroid frame copy layer.

On the canvas, select the Polaroid frame.


F.3. Then follow Step C.

In Step C.2.iii, click the Selection button.



Wassalam.

How to install the Screen Ruler in Ubuntu 11.10 Oneiric Ocelot

24 Rejab 1433H, Kh.

Assalamualaikum. Here i am trying to fix the margins of my thesis according to the guidelines. The required margin measurements are:
- left: at least 40 mm
- top, right and bottom: at least 25 mm

The tricky part is, the page number (which must be positioned at the bottom-center of the page) has to be inside the text area. In other words, the page number is not within the 25 mm bottom-margin area; it must be above/before the bottom margin area.

If it was in LibreOffice Writer that would probably be easy because what-you-see-is-what-you-get. But i'm not using Writer. I'm using Kile where what-you-set-is-what-you-get. So how do i know i've set the measurements correctly?

Here's when i need an onscreen ruler.

Talking about onscreen rulers, if your system runs Ubuntu 11.10 and you go searching for an onscreen ruler in Ubuntu Software Center, among the search results is the KRuler software, see Pic 1. At the moment it measures in pixels (px) only.

Pic 1 - More info on the KRuler software in Ubuntu Software Center.

Some of us might or might not be familiar with the Screen Ruler software because it is available for Ubuntu 11.04 and Ubuntu 12.04 but unavailable for Ubuntu 11.10. More info on Screen Ruler is available in Synaptic Package Manager, see Pic 2.

In Ubuntu Software Center, you need to download then install the package in order to be able to read more info about the Screen Ruler package. See Pic 10.

Pic 2 - More info on the Screen Ruler software in Synaptic Package Manager.

So the whole time i was running Ubuntu 11.10, i didn't have the Screen Ruler... until i found out that i can install it even without the software being listed in Ubuntu Software Center or Synaptic Package Manager.

You might want to sit back and think first whether this installation will pose any risk to your system. Just saying to remind.

Pic 3 shows the version of Screen Ruler in my system. Pic 4 shows the version of my system. Pic 5 shows KRuler and Screen Ruler in action side by side.

Pic 3 - The Screen Ruler version running on my system.

Pic 4 - The Screen Ruler software running on Ubuntu 11.10.

Pic 5 - Screen Ruler in action with KRuler.

If you want Screen Ruler in your Ubuntu 11.10, here's how to install...


1. Go to this webpage, see Pic 6, which is the list of search results from the search term "screenruler":
Ubuntu -- Package Search Results -- screenruler
(http://packages.ubuntu.com/search?keywords=screenruler)

If you want to do your own searching, go here:
Ubuntu -- Ubuntu Packages Search
(http://packages.ubuntu.com/)

Pic 6 - Refer Step 1. The search results for a screen ruler.

2. From the list as seen in Pic 6, choose the package for your system.

Just in case you're new to Ubuntu and somewhat not sure what lucid, natty, precise and quantal mean:

• Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx
• Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal
• Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin
• Ubuntu 12.10 Quantal Quetzal

I chose this one:

precise (gnome): measure objects on screen with a variety of metrics [universe]
0.960+bzr41-1: all

The link for the package i chose goes here, see Pic 7:
Ubuntu -- Details of package screenruler in precise
(http://packages.ubuntu.com/precise/screenruler)

Pic 7 - Refer Step 2. Details of the Screen Ruler package for Ubuntu 12.04.

3. Referring to Pic 7, in the Download screenruler section, under the Architecture column, click the all link.

You will be taken to the download page, see Pic 8:
Ubuntu -- Package Download Selection -- screenruler_0.960+bzr41-1_all.deb
(http://packages.ubuntu.com/precise/all/screenruler/download)

Pic 8 - Refer Step 3. Choosing the download link.

4. Choose a mirror link then click the link.

The Opening screenruler_### window will appear, see Pic 9. Select the Save File option then click the OK button.

Pic 9 - Refer Step 4. Saving the Screen Ruler package before installing.

5. Once download is complete, open the folder where you saved the downloaded package. If you don't remember where you saved the file, try searching in the Downloads folder.

Double-click the package. Ubuntu Software Center will appear and handle the installation, see Pic 10. Click the Install button to start installing the package into your system.

If the Authenticate window appears, see Pic 11, type-in your password in the Password field then click the Authenticate button. Allow some time for the installation to take place.

You can start using the ruler once installation is completed.

Pic 10 - Refer Step 5. More info about the Screen Ruler package in Ubuntu Software Center.

Pic 11 - Refer Step 5. Authenticating the installation action.

Wassalam.

How to do a word count for a PDF file

17 Rejab 1433H, Khamis.

Assalamualaikum. My thesis needed a word count for what could have been its third proofread.

By the way i'm still running Ubuntu 11.10 Oneiric Ocelot. To know why i have not upgraded to Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin, read here:
My experience upgrading to 12.04 then downgrading to 11.10
(http://ubuntudigest.blogspot.com/2012/04/my-experience-upgrading-to-1204-then.html)

This post and the two previous posts:

• How to rotate, crop, delete and rearrange pages in a PDF file
(http://ubuntudigest.blogspot.com/2012/06/how-to-rotate-crop-delete-and-rearrange.html)


• How to convert files from PDF to Microsoft Word, online
(http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=802049)

were initially meant to be one very looong post. It was so long and covered at least three different things that i didn't know what to put as the title. Hence these three short subsequent posts.

This post refines the word count method mentioned in this thread:
Word Count in PDF file?
(http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=5024198#post5024198)



Part A: Installing PDF utilities (based on Poppler)

You will need to install PDF utilities (based on Poppler) before proceeding to Part B.

Pic 1 - PDF utilities in Ubuntu Software Center.

To install...


1. Run Ubuntu Software Center.


2. In the search field, type-in the search term "pdfinfo". The search results will auto-filter. See Pic 2.

Pic 2 - Refer Step 2. Searching for PDF utilities (based on Poppler).

3. Select the PDF utilities (based on Poppler), see Pic 2. Two buttons will auto-appear.

To install, click the Install button.

To read more, click the More Info button, see Pic 2. When ready to install, click the Install button.

Once the software is installed, the Install button will turn into the Remove button.


4. If an Authenticate window like that in Pic 3 appears prompting for your password, key-in your password in the Password field, then click the Authenticate button.

Pic 3 - Refer Step 4. Authenticating the installation.

Part B: Performing a word count for a PDF file

Need i to remind you that i've no idea how accurate the count is.


5. Run the Terminal from the same location as the PDF file. Right-click then select Open in Terminal from the menu. See Pic 4.

Pic 4 - Refer Step 5. Accessing the Terminal from the right-click menu.

If you do not have the Terminal shortcut in your right-click menu, you will need to run the Terminal then change the working directory. Read here how to change the directory:
UsingTheTerminal - Community Ubuntu Documentation
(https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal)

To add the Terminal shortcut in the right-click menu, read here:
How to add a Terminal shortcut in the right-click menu
(http://ubuntudigest.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-add-terminal-shorcut-in-righ.html)


6. In the Terminal type-in:

pdftotext nameof.pdf - | wc -w -

Source: Re: Word Count in pdf file? #5
(http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=5024198&postcount=5)

then press the Enter button. A number will appear below the commandline. See Pic 5.

pdftotext nameof.pdf - | tr -d '.' | wc -w -

Source: Re: Word Count in pdf file? #8
(http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=7063843&postcount=8)

then press the Enter button. A number will appear below the commandline. See Pic 5.


To paste into the Terminal, press: Ctrl + Shift + C
To copy from the Terminal, press: Ctrl + Shift + V

Pic 5 - Count. Count. Count.

Roughly, there are 25,109 to 25,120 words in my thesis according to Pic 5. Other methods/ softwares/ online services will produce varying numbers.

Wassalam.

How to rotate, crop, delete and rearrange pages in a PDF file

28 Rejab 1433H, Is.

Assalamualaikum. To remove, rotate, crop and re-arrange pages in a PDF file i use PDF-Shuffler. See Pic 1.



Part A: Installing PDF-Shuffler

You will need to install PDF-Shuffler on your machine first before proceeding to Part B.

Pic 1 - More info on PDF-Shuffler in Ubuntu Software Center.

1. To install, run Ubuntu Software Center.


2. In the search field, type-in the search term "shuffler". The search results will auto-filter. See Pic 2.

Pic 2 - Refer Step 2. Searching for the PDF-Shuffler package in Ubuntu Software Center.

3. Select the PDF-Shuffler package, see Pic 2. Two buttons will automatically appear.

To install, click the Install button. Once the software is installed, the Install button will turn into the Remove button. See Pic 2.

To read more about the package, click the More Info button, see Pic 2. When ready to install, click the Install button.


4. An Authenticate window will appear prompting for your password. Key-in your password in the Password field, then click the Authenticate button. See Pic 3.

Pic 3 - Refer Step 4. Password to allow installation of PDF-Shuffler.

Part B: Manipulating pages in a PDF file

This part will show you how to manipulate pages using PDF-Shuffler.

Pic 4 - The PDF-Shuffler software.

5. Run PDF-Shuffler.


6. To import your PDF file, you can:
(a) use the Import pdf button, see Pic 4, or
(b) simply drag-and-drop your file into PDF-Shuffler.

The imported document will look something like in Pic 5.

Pic 5 - Refer Step 6. Importing the document.

Pic 6 - Refer Step 6. The imported PDF document in PDF-Shuffler.

7. Simply click the page that needs to be modified. To multiple-select pages, hold the Shift button then click-hold-drag to select the pages. Referring to Pic 7, to:

Pic 7 - Refer Step 7. The features available in the right-click menu.

Rotate
Select the page that needs to be rotated, right-click then choose from the menu:
(a) Rotate Page(s) Clockwise, or
(b) Rotate Page(s) Counterclockwise
to rotate the page.

Delete
Select the page that needs to be deleted then:
(a) click the Delete Pages(s) button, or
(b) right-click then choose Delete Page(s) from the menu.

Crop
Select the page that needs to be cropped, right-click then choose Crop Page(s) from the menu.

The Crop Selected Page(s) window appears, see Pic 8. Enter the measurements needed to crop page then click the OK button.

To "uncrop" the cropped page, right-click then choose Crop Page(s) again. In the Crop Selected Page(s) window, change the measurements to zero then click the OK button.

Pic 8 - Refer Step 7. The crop margins.

Rearrange
Select the page that needs to be relocated then click-hold-drag the page to its new location.

Note that the "undo" / "redo" feature is not available in PDF-Shuffler.


8. To "save" your work, click the Export pdf button (refer to Pic 4).

The Export ... window will appear. Select the location and give the file a name then click the Save button (see Pic 8).

Pic 9 - Refer Step 8. Saving the edit.

Wassalam