Inkscape + AxiDraw: The Complete Plugin Setup Guide

The AxiDraw is at its best driven through Inkscape, and the official extension makes the connection seamless once it’s set up. If you’ve just unboxed your machine, this guide takes you from installation to your first clean plot. Getting Inkscape and AxiDraw talking is the foundation everything else builds on.

Step 1: Install Inkscape

Download Inkscape (free) and install it. The AxiDraw extension supports current Inkscape versions; if you’re on a very old release, update first.

Step 2: Install the AxiDraw extension

Download the AxiDraw software from Evil Mad Scientist’s site. Run the installer for your OS, or — if installing manually — copy the extension files into Inkscape’s user extensions folder. Restart Inkscape.

You’ll now find Extensions → AxiDraw Control (and AxiDraw Utilities) in the menu. If they’re missing, the files landed in the wrong folder — check Inkscape’s Edit → Preferences → System for the exact extensions path.

Step 3: Connect and test

Plug the AxiDraw into USB and power. Open Extensions → AxiDraw Control → Setup and use the toggle/cycle buttons to confirm the machine responds — the pen should lift and lower. If nothing happens, see the troubleshooting note below.

Step 4: Tune pen height

This is the most important setup step. In the Setup tab:

• Pen-down position — lower it until lines come out solid, but not so low the pen digs in or drags. Start conservative and adjust.
• Pen-up position — raise just enough to clear the paper cleanly without an exaggerated lift.

Mark your pen’s insertion depth in the clamp so changing pens doesn’t reset your tuning.

Step 5: Prepare your document

• Set the Inkscape document size to your paper size
• Place your art within the drawable area
• Make sure your design is strokes, not fills (plotters draw lines)
• Optionally run the file through vpype first for faster plots

Step 6: Plot

Open AxiDraw Control → Plot, confirm your speed and pen settings, and run. Watch the first few strokes, then let it go. The extension also supports layer-based plotting — name layers and plot them separately for multi-color work and pen changes.

Going further: the CLI and API

Once you’re comfortable, the AxiDraw’s real power is its command-line interface and Python API, which let you plot directly from scripts and generative code without touching Inkscape. But the Inkscape extension is the right place to start — master it first, and the rest follows naturally.

Troubleshooting connection issues

• Confirm the USB cable and port (try another port)
• Close any other app that might hold the serial connection
• Restart Inkscape after plugging in
• Reinstall the extension if menu items don’t appear

Get the connection and pen height dialed in once, and from then on plotting through Inkscape is a two-click routine.

Frequently asked questions

How do I install the AxiDraw plugin for Inkscape?

Download the AxiDraw extension from Evil Mad Scientist, run the installer (or copy the files into Inkscape's extensions folder), and restart Inkscape. The AxiDraw Control options then appear under Extensions.

Why isn't Inkscape detecting my AxiDraw?

Usually a USB or driver issue. Confirm the cable is connected, try a different port, and make sure no other program is holding the serial connection. Restarting Inkscape after plugging in often resolves it.

How do I set pen up and pen down height?

In the AxiDraw Control extension's Setup tab, use the pen-up and pen-down position sliders. Lower the pen-down value until lines are solid without the pen digging into the paper, and raise pen-up just enough to clear the page.