Inkscape: How to Add Transparency in Shape of Object

**Problem: **I have a shape in Inkscape that I want to make transparent inside of another shape. For instance, I’ve got a box, but I want a circular, transparent whole in the middle. How do I go about embedding a transparent shape inside of another shape?

**Solution: **The easiest way to go about this is using the built-in Path tools.

• Create your base shape and the shape you would like to make the transparency
• Position the shape you’d like to be transparent over the base shape in the way you want it to appear.
• Select both objects using the shift + selection key
• Select Path > Difference or Path > Exclusion. Depending on your object type, one may not work. If it doesn’t try the other.
• Your object should now be transparent.