Create planet vectors using Inkscape
I'm going to show you how to create planet vectors using Inkscape. This planetary vector is certainly easy to create and is also fun! In this tutorial you will learn about path functions. Follow the Illustrator tutorial instead.
Create planet vectors using Inkscape: Creating the shapes
Let’s grab the circles and ellipses tool and while holding shift and Ctrl, drag to create a perfect circle. Secondly, let’s colour it blue. Then we’ll also go to Path-->Object to Path to finalize the shape into something we can edit and manipulate.
Duplicate this circle. Additionally squish it flatter and wider into an oval and also give it a light blue colour for now. Duplicate this oval shape again and also scale it within the blue oval. Use green colour.
Create planet vectors using Inkscape: Difference
Select both oval shapes and go to Path-->Difference. Now as a result we have a shape that is oval with the center punched out.
Align the oval shape with the circle shape using the vertical and horizontal alignment.
Division
Next we will use the circle to punch through the oval. Duplicate the circle by pressing “Ctrl” + D or alternatively right click and duplicate. With this circle selected go down to the bottom left of the screen and click “X”. This will certainly remove the fill. Notice the bounding box is still there despite this circle having no fill or stroke. With this invisible circle selected, press “shift” to select the oval. With both objects selected go to Path-->Division.
Finalizing
Now our oval shape is divided into the pieces we need. Delete the top portion. Select the bottom portion and duplicate it. Give the duplicated bottom piece a 12 px white stroke. Go to Path-->Stroke to Path to finalize it and thus changing it to a fill. Select the white object and the dark blue circle, go to Path-->Difference.
Finally, we will rejoin the light blue oval shapes together. Select all light blue pieces and go to Path-->Union. Group everything together and you likely have a fine looking planet! View other graphic design tutorials.
