Subscribe to our Best Free Vector Graphics Editor
To quote their website "Inkscape... uses 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." The current release is only at V0.46 and doesn't, for example, yet support SVG filter effects, animation, and SVG fonts. It is, however, totally usable. That usability is enhanced by an excellent user interface and the impressive set of tutorials that come with the product that help wean the user away from the world of digital images to the nodes, lines, curves and shapes that form the basis of vector editing. Overall a top product that will only get better. Highly recommended.
From the same stable as PhotoPlus (in the Best Free Digital Editor category) DrawPlus is drawing and graphics software that enables you to create vector graphics, family trees, room layouts and even web animations. This is the most current free version (version 4), however there are more up-to-date commercial versions.
Inkscape
Website: http://www.inkscape.org
Download page: http://sourceforge.net/projects/inkscape/
Author:
Date: 02/18/2008
Version: 0.46
Download File size: 33.4MB
License: GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 2, June 1991
Operating systems supported: Windows 2000/2003/XP
64 Bit Capable: n/a
Portable version available: no
Other languages supported: yes
Additional software required:
DrawPlus
Website: http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/DrawPlus/default.asp
Download page: http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/drawplus/
Author: Serif Europe Limited
Date: 02/18/2008 Version: 4
Download File size: 24.8MB
License: Free but requires registration
Operating systems supported: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP
64 Bit Capable: n/a
Portable version available: no
Other languages supported: no
Additional software required:
This software category is maintained by volunteer editor Paul Lawrence
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I have just tried Inkscape for repeat cloning to use as bitmap images in an aimp2 player skin. It works really well.
Managed to create one within 5 mins without reading any documentation at all. Intuitive with an attractive interface. Good recommendation.
By the way aimp2 player is very good too and the skinning programme very easy to use but with a few quirks.
Your website is excellent, am using many of your recommendations. I find that a lot of the free programmes are much easier to use than the payed for ones, which are often very bloated. The essence of all good design is simplicity.
Apparently Serif DrawPlus 4.0 has been superseded by Serif DrawPlus SE (95.1 Mb, requires registration).
lloonn
Here is a review of 20 vector graphics editors by Smashing Magazine.
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/12/05/20-vector-graphic-editors-rev...
Definitely worth a look.
in here we talk about freeware...
not payware...
isn't?
Is there a vector graphics program, that can handle multiple pages?
This is my biggest difficulty in finding a free successor to Freehand.
Is pencil the sort of thing your looking for?
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Category Editor for Gizmo's Tech Support Alert
ZonerDraw 3 is worth of mentioning too
Thanks for this pointer.
I've just checked with Erik from Zoner about ZonerDraw 3 as some websites reckoned this wasn't freeware, but he has confirmed that although this is quite an old product it is freely available from their website
I will be adding this to my list of reviews in the next few weeks.
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Category Editor for Gizmo's Tech Support Alert
Well, having to pay for DrawPlus does not classify it as *Free* software, does it?
DrawPlus ver 4 has been released for free. Ver 6 is $9. If you want the free one download the older version.
Do these work with VIsta???
I have used both Inkscape and serif products successfully on Vista Home Premium
Note: the mentioned cheap update for DrawPlus is to v6 from v4, NOT to the current version. Version 6 is quite a lot more capable than v4, but the current -- and very capable indeed -- version is DrawPlus X2. (I have heard suggestions that a registration of the free version may attract offers of discounts on X2, but can't substantiate them.)
I have received offers of substantial discounts on serif products by registering
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