: Drawing a double helix in Inkscape I've seen this How can I create a double helix? question but I am here to ask you how to create a double-helix in Inkscape, instead of illustrator. I have

@Sherry646

I have been "playing" with this kind of helix lately.
I use a PHP library that I developed to generate SVG and the image I generate is SVG.
If you talk about straight double helix, the solution is not difficult since it can be generated with my scripts and the helix is based on the mathematical expression:

x = r * cos(t);
y = r * sin(t);
z = k * t;


I also generate plasmid-like DNA helix i.e. circular double helix.
Please have a look at veleta.rosety.com
(Edited 2015/12/17) I have changed the script and instead of PHP I am currently producing the DNA on HTML5 canvas.

The resulting DNA Helix is in PNG format (once you are happy with the results you ca save it right-clicking on it)
Example

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@Cugini998

I discovered another way to do it which was easier for me:


Follow Wrzlprmft’s answer up to step 2:
Use Extensions → Generate from path → Extrude (mode: lines). It automatically makes the straight edges which you need.
Delete some nodes which you don't need.
Use the bucket tool to add the fill and the helix/spring/ribbon can be realized.

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@Reiling762

OK, here we go:


Create a rectangle and use Extensions → Render → Function Plotter with these settings:



You can use a finer sampling or a higher (integer) End X value, but the following should hold (with n being a small positive integer of your choice):


[Number of Samples] = [End X] × 4 × n + 1


You should get something like this:


Duplicate the sine wave, shift it horizontally (holding Ctrl) and make the duplicate red (for better distinction).


Duplicate the red sine and make the duplicate green.
Select the green sine and switch to the Edit Path by Nodes mode. Select all nodes fully in the lower half, Break path at selected nodes, select all nodes in the lower half once more and remove them:


Ensure that the green path is in front of the black one (press Pos1 while selecting it). Select the green path and the black path and Path → Cut Path. The green path should vanish and your black path should be split into several segments.
Select the red path, swich to Edit Path by Nodes mode, select all the uppermost nodes and Break Path at selected Nodes. (We won’t need this until the very last step, but now is the best time to do it.)
Activate snapping, Snap nodes or handles and Snap to smooth nodes from the snap panel.
Select a black segment somewhere in the middle and switch to the Edit Path by Nodes mode. Select an end point as follows and move it to the adjacent extremum of the red path such that it snaps:

——————→

Select the deformed path and Make selected segments lines.
Repeat with all analogous paths. (Yes, this is repetetory but unless your helix is very long, this is the quickest way.):


Select all the black segments and Path → Combine.
Repeat steps 3 to 10, exchanging red and black as well as upper and lower in the instructions. (Note that some steps could be skipped as they do nothing now.)


Select everything, make the path colour as you desire and use butt caps or round caps for the paths.
Use bucket fill between the paths. To make the fill cover everything, temporarily decrease the stroke width of your lines to a very low value and give the fill a stroke in the same colour as the fill.


Duplicate your helix, move it horizontally, and colour it as desired.
Ungroup and break apart everything. Align all the objects correctly.

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@BetL875

How scientifically accurate do you need this to be? If you only need an artistic representation, you can get away with something less complex and more figurative.

You could probably use the type tool and type out two "s"-es with a suitable font, convert them to paths, place them over each other appropriately and have the start of your helix that way.

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