How to Use the Dropper Tool in Inkscape?

The Dropper tool in Inkscape allows users to quickly sample and apply colors from any object or image within their workspace. By selecting a target object, activating the Dropper tool, and clicking on the desired source color, you can instantly match hues across your vector design. This article provides a straightforward guide on how to locate the tool, use basic and advanced sampling shortcuts, and toggle settings like alpha channel lifting.

Activating the Dropper Tool

To begin sampling colors, you first need to select the object that you want to apply the new color to. Once your target object is highlighted, you can activate the Dropper tool using either of the following methods:

• Keyboard Shortcut: Press F7 or D on your keyboard.
• Tool Toolbar: Click the eyedropper icon located in the vertical toolbar on the left side of the screen.

Sampling and Applying Colors

With the Dropper tool active, move your cursor over the color you wish to copy. Inkscape provides a few different ways to sample based on your specific needs:

Standard Click (Fill Color)

Left-click once on the source color. The fill color of your selected object will instantly change to match the sampled color.

Shift-Click (Stroke Color)

Hold the Shift key while left-clicking on the source color. Instead of changing the fill, this applies the sampled color to the stroke (outline) of your selected object.

Click and Drag (Average Color)

If you are sampling from a gradient, a photograph, or a pixelated image, left-click and drag the cursor to create a circular selection box. Inkscape will calculate the average color within that radius and apply it to your object.

Advanced Tool Options

The controls bar at the top of the workspace offers two toggle options to customize how the Dropper tool behaves:

• Pick Alpha: When enabled, the tool samples both the color and its opacity (alpha channel). If disabled, the tool will only sample the visible color at 100% opacity, ignoring any transparency.
• Set Alpha: This determines whether the sampled opacity should be applied directly to the target object’s opacity settings.