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From my own experience, I can say that Inkscape is a great free programme for making vector drawings. It’s been so much better than I thought it would be that I now see it as a real option to expensive programmes like Adobe Illustrator. Free vector illustration software called Inkscape works with a lot of different image files, including SVG, EPS, PostScript, JPG, PNG, BMP, and TIP. You can also export your work to PNG and other vector-based formats.
The many features and tools that Inkscape has really make it stand out. If you want to do creative design work, Inkscape has everything you need. It has a lot of shapes and paths, different text choices, markers, clones, and transparency effects (alpha). It also has more advanced features, like the ability to group items for better organisation and transformations, gradients, and patterns.
One great thing about Inkscape that I like is that it supports Creative Commons metadata, which makes adding licencing details to your work easier. It also lets you edit nodes precisely, handle layers effectively, perform complex path operations, trace bitmaps, use path-based text, make text flow around objects, edit XML directly, and offer many other useful features.
Inkscape Specifications
The vector graphics editor known as Inkscape is available for use on all three major operating systems: Windows, macOS, and Linux. In addition to a number of other file formats, such as PNG, PDF, and EPS, it is compatible with the Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| File formats | Inkscape can import and export a wide range of file formats, including SVG, SVGZ, PDF, EPS, AI, CDR, VSD, PNG, JPEG, GIF, and more. |
| Drawing tools | Inkscape provides a variety of drawing tools for creating and editing vector graphics, including pens, pencils, shapes, text, and more. |
| Fill and stroke | Inkscape allows you to fill and stroke your shapes with a variety of colors, gradients, and patterns. |
| Filters and effects | Inkscape provides a variety of filters and effects that can be applied to your shapes to create different looks. |
| Layers | Inkscape supports layers, which allow you to organize your drawing into different elements and make changes to individual layers without affecting the others. |
| Text tools | Inkscape provides a variety of text tools for creating and editing text, including font selection, kerning, tracking, and more. |
| Extensions | Inkscape supports extensions, which can be used to add new features and functionality to the software. |
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Inkscape review: Cluttered and Inconvenient Interface
The user interface of the Inkscape software, which is available for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux, is somewhat dated across all of its versions. It has been over 5 years since the last time it was updated. There is a panel with numerous functions located at the very top of the programme window. On the left, you will find fundamental tools, and on the right, you will find the command bar.
When taken together, all of this could make it seem challenging to a newcomer. Nevertheless, one of my favourite features of the editor is the ability to modify the user interface by removing or adding functions and tools. Simply navigate to the “View” menu and select the “Hide” option. This will remove any extraneous panels.
Inkscape review: Text Processing Tools and Functions
The printing process as well as preparing files for it is very easily managed by this free vector graphics software. In addition to the paragraph format, you can also easily construct individual text lines that do not contain any frames. To accomplish this, you will need to make use of the Flow Text tool, which can be put inside of any form. Additionally, when you use the Regular Text tool, you will have the ability to select whatever font you want as well as the size of that font.
Because streaming text generated by Inkscape will not be supported outside of the program, you will need to convert it into plain text before exporting it for use in web design, for example. In addition, if you copy and paste text from Illustrator or other program that use more complex printing techniques, Inkscape may insert gibberish instead of the text that you copied.
Inkscape review: Pricing
Inkscape from inkscape.org is easy to install on 32-bit and 64-bit Windows. It’s on the OS’s app store for easy installation and updating. Windows XP users are out of luck. GNU/Linux users can choose Flatpack, snap, or ppa. The download page provides release notes with screenshots of new features and known bugs.
I tested Inkscape on a MacBook Pro 2018 with a 2.9GHz Intel Core i9 processor and 32GB of RAM and a Surface Pro 3 running Windows 10 with a 2.5GHz Core i5 CPU and 8GB RAM. Installation is difficult for Mac users. The method is harder since you must install 0.92.2, a less stable version. You must also download XQuartz, a GUI application, to view it. High-resolution Retina monitors are not supported yet.
Inkscape review: Designing
Typography, Bezier illustration, exporting, and printing are common designer tasks, therefore I tested Inkscape. Inkscape’s text-handling facilities are basic, like word processors. Unlike word processors, frameless text lines and paragraphs are easy to create. The latter has line break and position boundaries in a text frame. Regular Text allows you run type along any path, while Flow Text helps you shape text.
Flow Text is not supported outside of Inkscape, therefore change it to Regular Text before exporting for website graphics. If you copy and paste text from Illustrator or other typographic software, Inkscape may paste gibberish. Inkscape’s Remove Manual Kerns option usually addresses issue by removing custom formatting.
Its formatting is less versatile than CorelDraw’s. Manually applying OpenType alternate styles and discretionary ligatures is tricky. Another difficulty is that Flow Text cannot create paragraph or character styles, and spot formatting can modify the entire content. Good spellcheck works better than Illustrator’s.
Inkscape review: Advanced Filters and Effects
During my testing of Inkscape for this review, I was pleasantly delighted to find that the programme is truly up to date with the most recent developments in the field of graphic design. Its vast collection of roughly 20 predefined filter categories that can be applied instantly stood out to me as a very useful feature. These filters allowed me to perform tasks such as easily converting text into Braille, creating a variety of barcodes or grids, and even constructing a calendar with only the press of a button.
Final Words
Inkscape is a powerful and flexible open-source vector graphics tool that should be praised for having a lot of features and being easy for both new and experienced users to use. It is a great choice for graphic artists, illustrators, and hobbyists because it is easy to use and has many tools for making and editing vector graphics. Also, the fact that it works on multiple platforms means that all people can access it.
Even though it doesn’t have as many advanced features as some paid alternatives, Inkscape is a great option for people who want a cheap vector graphic design program because it is regularly updated and has a strong community behind it. Overall, Inkscape is a great choice for anyone who wants a free vector graphics tool that can do a lot.
Inkscape review: The Good and Bad
Free vector graphics creation and editing tool Inkscape is available for Windows, Mac, and GNU/Linux. Inkscape may be for PC-based illustrators, subscription-averse designers, and those who can’t afford pricey software. If you’re used to CorelDRAW and Adobe Illustrator, expect a learning (or unlearning) curve.
The Good
- Free and complete.
- Cross-platform.
- A strong community and extension ecosystem.
- Good route and positioning tools.
The Bad
- Problematic Mac version.
- Interface visuals need a boost.
- Steep learning curve.
Questions and Answers
Some professional artists and graphic designers use Inkscape. Due to the fact that Inkscape isn’t the industry standard for graphic designers, you may use it as an alternative when job hunting.
Inkscape is a versatile piece of software that is utilised for a variety of different computer graphic projects, despite the fact that its primary purpose is illustration. The software programme Inkscape has a wide range of capabilities, some of which may come as a surprise. It can even be used for paper scrapbooking, as well as the creation of diagrams, logos, and other programmatic marketing materials and online graphics.