- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP/NT
- Date added: March 19, 2007
- Total Downloads: 62,389
- Downloads last week: 395
- See full specifications
A newer version of Inkscape is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 36 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
A free, open-source, vectorized image-creator? You mean, like Adobe Illustrator, but smaller and at no cost? Could it be?
Indeed, Inkscape isn't the only one of its kind out there, although it seems like it at times, and it's definitely a solid assault on the Adobe juggernaut. Many of the now-essential tools found in the competition have made their way into Inkscape, including paths, text, markers, clones, alpha blending, transforms, gradients, patterns, and grouping. The app also supports Creative Commons metadata, node editing, layers, bitmap tracing, and direct XML editing. It does all this, and more, without hassles or an enormous footprint.
Other nice touches in the app include updating old industry standards--taking the CTRL Plus hot key for zooming in, and simplifying it so that all you need to hit is the Plus key, for instance. A small thing, but it shows the amount of effort being put into Inkscape. The latest version of the app addresses complaints about the lack of a shape library, for those of us who don't want to have to draw our own stars or triangles.
Overall, Inkscape isn't perfect, and it lacks a certain polish that those more familiar with big-name apps will probably expect. However, most of what it does, it does well. And since it's free, it's worth taking a chance on.
Publisher's description
From Inkscape :Inkscape is an Open Source vector graphics editor, with capabilities similar to Illustrator, Freehand, CorelDraw, or Xara X using the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format. Supported SVG features include shapes, paths, text, markers, clones, alpha blending, transforms, gradients, patterns, and grouping. Inkscape also supports Creative Commons meta-data, node editing, layers, complex path operations, bitmap tracing, text-on-path, flowed text, direct XML editing, and more. It imports formats such as JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and others and exports PNG as well as multiple vector-based formats. Inkscape's main goal is to create a powerful and convenient drawing tool fully compliant with XML, SVG, and CSS standards. We also aim to maintain a thriving user and developer community by using open, community-oriented development process, and by making sure Inkcape is easy to learn, to use, and to extend.
What's new in this version:
Unknown bug fixes.
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User reviews of Inkscape 0.45
- Average user rating: 4.1 stars out of 36 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 11 user reviewsSee all 11 user reviews
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Version: Inkscape 0.45
Pros: I have installed this on a Vista machine and everything appears to work so far. It is not listed as compatible with Vista, so I don't know what bugs will appear along the way.
Cons: Rather complicated and not very intuitive program. VERY difficult for non-professional to grasp and use effectively. This shouldn't be, because a professional will be using a high dollar program with even more features than Inkscape and the home user or occasional user needs a simpler, more intuitive program.
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0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Inkscape 0.45
Pros: So far I haven't come across anything like Inkscape (that's free anyway) so it's pretty unique. Definitely a powerful tool. Inkscape is a great tool for graphic design, if you're getting into web design and don't want to pay for Fireworks, this is a must have (Do NOT use the GIMP or Paint! I can't stress enough how much better looking graphics are when they're designed in vector as opposed to bit map). Can work with SVG and export to PNG which you don't see everyday.
Cons: The interface is definitely more clunky than they could have made it, the work flow is a little slow because of this. It would also be nice if the layers worked a little more like Fireworks (They work like Flash layers instead). My main complaint is that it's very slow to render, even on a core duo processor.
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Inkscape 0.45
Pros: The best thing about this program besides the fact that it's free, is that vector is so much better than bitmap. If you zoom in 4x with Microsofts standard bitmap program, paint, you will see the pixels right away. This won't happen with Inkscape. With vector, lines aren't based on pixels, so the graphics are incredibly better.
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12 out of 13 people found this review helpful
Version: Inkscape 0.45
Pros: If you're looking for a bitmap tracer that is VERY close to perfection, then you've found what you're looking for!! It's tracing is very clear and precise when you alter the settings and such to your need. IT'S VERY EASY TO USE TOO!! I am saving a BUNDLE on finding this for FREE, instead of buying some other COSTLY software!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!
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0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Inkscape 0.45
"meh, its ok perferr paint.net or the gimp"
Pros: its free, powerful
Cons: high on resources, not the best of interfaces
- See all 11 user reviews Write review
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