It is over two years since I created my thread on introducing Inkscape to produce cutting files: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/80563-introduction-to-using-inkscape-to-produce-cutting-files/

A number of people have said they have found that thread useful, others have asked that I take things further. Going back over what I have written, that does not seem unreasonable, hence this thread has been born.

Inkscape is free to download and install: https://inkscape.org/en/. The latest version 0.91 seems far more stable than the previous version. It describes itself as "a professional vector graphics editor for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.". I use it for all sorts of things including CAD type 2D drawings even though it is not intended for CAD type applications. It's interface is typical of other commercial industry graphics packages such as Corel Draw and Adobe Illustrator. If you are not familiar with drawing using graphics packages then it is likely to seem strange at first, but stick with it and you will hopefully become more skilled as you use it, as with any software.

As with any scratchbuilt model there has to be a starting point. This usually takes the form of a scale drawing, or quite frequently by reference to original detailed General Arrangements. The more accurate the reference material, the more accurate the finished model. Obviously photographs of your given prototype help as some aspects are not always evident from drawings.

I will certainly start this topic fairly basic but will assume later on that the basics have been mastered. If you have not read my original Inkscape tutorial (http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/80563-introduction-to-using-inkscape-to-produce-cutting-files/) please do, at least for the basics, download and install the software and have a go. Hopefully this thread will help put the theory into practice and inspire you on to other things.

As with all my threads feel free to ask questions, but please keep to topic as it makes things easier for others to follow. May the adventure begin!