Inkscape is a very simple yet powerful vector graphics program. You can create and edit any svg image and even include other images in it. It is easy to use – it took me about an hour to create this icon although I had no previous Inkscape knowledge. I also tried out some advanced functions as gradients and drawing bezier curves. It was really fun creating an icon, maybe I’ll create my own for [my fotoalbum](/2005/08/my-fotoalbum).
### Inkscape ###
An Inkscape package is already included in my favourite distribution [Ubuntu](http://www.ubuntulinux.org). If you’d like to have more information about Inkscape I’d like to redirect you to [the Inkscape Website](http://www.inkscape.org). There you’ll find news, an FAQ and most important tutorials to get to know how to work with Inkscape.
### The Icon ###
The icon uses the well known question mark to represent the help functionality. It has orange background because it is meant to be included into the [uni@klu homepage](http://www.uni-klu.ac.at) I’m helping out sometimes. I already did some icons on that page but never used a vector graphics program to do that (I used [The GIMP](http://www.gimp.org) instead).
It has some bezier reflections on the upper half and an oval reflection with gradient on the lower third of the icon. This way it has a very glassy look. This has not been my idea, many icon themes use this technique to create high quality icon sets. Personally I like flat icons more, but this one will hopefully be the first of a new set at uni@klu.
### The Source ###
If you’re interested you can have the Inkscape svg file. Just drop me a line and I’ll send it to you asap.
René's Blog 