Inkscape Reviews

Outstanding

Comments: I really like Inkscape, and for everyone looking for a vector design software I will advise this hands down.

Pros:

This is by far one of the best designing tools in the market, and even better this happens to be open source. Inkscape offers a set of tools meant to design freely, effortlessly and with a lower learning curve than other alternatives. Drawing or even editing vectors is very nice, and everything works smooth without overcharging any computer resource.

Cons:

I wish it has native Ilustrator files support, but there is not. Anyway, you can solve very easy this by changing the Ilustrator files to PDF. Then there is not a big deal about this.

The use of Inkscape.

Comments: Since I am predominantly a Linux user this program works well for me. I have used Adobe illustrator in windows on certain projects and I get just the same clean crisp duck with you could get it is much lighter on your resources so it performs faster the learning curve is very small I suggest that you actually graphic designer try it.

Pros:

My experience using Inkscape started about 11 years ago I did not have the money to pay for Adobe illustrator being a graphic designer I needed a tool that would give me the same functionality. as Adobe illustrator in my use of Inkscape I found that it had several features that Adobe illustrator lacked such as plugins that would allow you to do tracing and a lot more, I have enjoyed using it I think it is a very professional piece of software. Also, the learning curve is much lower than Adobe illustrator you can open up the program and give right to work.

Cons:

The cons of using Inkscape I have found are very few 1 is that when opening up a program Inkscape does not have tabs in its layout so if you start a new project it opens up a totally new window. I myself prefer layout of tabs it is a much cleaner look and it does not clutter up your desktop.

You get what you pay for.

Comments: Inkscape is a great solution for someone working alone or wanting to learn principles of vector graphic creation. I was surprised at how robust it is. That said, I need to be able output artwork and formats that my printers are going to easily be able to work with, without loss of I was surprised at how robust it is. That said, I need to be able to output artwork and formats that my printers are going to easily be able to work with, without loss of fidelity in translation.

Pros:

Number one, I appreciated that it was available free of charge. For a product that is open source, it has some powerful functionality.

Cons:

At the end of the day, working in a collaborative varmint or environments, it’s important to be working with similar tools. In my case, working with multiple teams of creatives means It is much easier to collaborate if we’re all using the same tool.

Great for SVG

Comments: Years ago I started using Inkscape seriously, to create things like logos and baners, after a short learning curve, the tool became very useful, and its use was almost daily for a while. However, when I started trying to create derivative works, from resources bought in asset stores, which usually come as AI or EPS, I started having problems. Today I use it in conjunction with the paid tools, because its support for SVG is really great, and some quick tasks are done in an easier way than in other software, such as converting to PNG, which is much less bureaucratic.

Pros:

The fact that Inkscape is free software and is great for editing SVG format makes it an indispensable tool.

Cons:

The most important thing for commercial use, which makes it impractical to use Inkscape alone is the limited support for .AI and .EPS files, as these are popular formats for distributing content in asset stores.

Without Inkscape I would have fail as a designer

Comments: Right now, Inkscape is indispensable for me and my design career. Even though Inkscape is an open-source and free application, that doesn't mean it's inferior to paid alternatives in any way. Sure, Illustrator has its great set of features, but Inkscape is nowhere lesser. I have not needed to switch to any other alternative. It gets the job done really well! Love it!

Pros:

It is very easy to use. It has a very friendly interface. It's really feature-packed. It has some out-of-the-box features equivalent to those in Adobe Illustrator but for free! It's open-source and get updated regularly. I love you can even work with PDF files natively. Also, I rely on the "trace bitmap" feature a lot: it's great to reuse royalty-free bitmaps on a quick design or just for inspiration. Inkscape is amazing and free!

Cons:

I WISH it supported the Adobe Illustrator format (ai) but it's too much to ask as that is a proprietary file format. Also, some fundamental actions are complicated to implement: for example, setting default document properties shouldn't require to save a file in a specific folder or exporting your artwork as a .jpeg file shouldn't require an extension; those actions should be more straight forward.

A free and professional work tool

Comments: Extremely happy with this amazing software. Amazing how it is still distributed for free.

Pros:

The thing I appreciate most is the speed of use. In addition to this, the available tools allow you to create very high quality graphic products while maintaining compatibility with any software. In over 10 years of use I have never regretted using it.

Cons:

In some projects, file processing can become a little slower, forcing you to split the work across multiple files. In some cases it may happen that the software crashes but a backup copy is always saved before closing the program.

Free Open Source Alternative

Comments: Recommended for those looking to move away from Adobe's subscription model.

Pros:

Provides most of the core functionality from other software such as Illustrator without the price tag. Allows for the conversion of Bitmap Images into Vector Images easily. Impressive compatibility with most other Vector Based software file types. Pairs well with GIMP as a free software package.

Cons:

UI can be unintuitive at times, lacks the customisability that other software allows for and does not support dark mode. Limited to PNG output for Bitmap Images. Text Editing can be finicky at times, particularly with Spacing between Baselines.

Amazing Vector

Comments: I have really enjoyed using and becoming familiar with the software and finding new uses for it.

Pros:

It is a great vector software and takes care of all of my vector creating needs. The designs are easy to export and use however needed.

Cons:

It is difficult to learn the layout and how to customize it when first setting up.

Great Adobe Substitute For Free!

Pros:

Inkscape has all the features I need to create my t-shirt designs for FREE. It's easier than Adobe & has lots of tutorials on YouTube

Cons:

I like the whole platform! No issues at all.

Cheap/Free alternative to Adobe Illustrator

Pros:

It is inexpensive in comparison to Illustrator while having a lot of the core functionality that the Adobe software provides.

Cons:

It is not as advanced as Illustrator, the features are less powerful.

Great free graphic design software

Comments: Inkscape has allowed me to create more detailed vector designs for use in my business at a quicker pace than using the Cricut Design Space software. I would recommend it to all Cricut users and to those just looking for an affordable graphic design software.

Pros:

As a free software, this program is great for anyone looking to do graphic design work but especially for beginners. I started using Inkscape as a way to design vector files for use with my Cricut machine. The Cricut Design Space software had a lot of limitations and was very slow for working with text, so I turned to Inkscape for almost all of my project designs. I can then easily save my vector files in .svg format to upload into Cricut Design Space for making my projects.

Cons:

Inkscape will occasionally crash and close while I'm using it, so be sure to save often. As a free software, this is a mild annoyance but not a deal breaker.

Top quality graphics editing software

Comments: It is full featured vector based graphic editing software with lots of extension available. Their website provides good manual for using the software. As a free alternative to Adobe Illustrator is came handy.

Pros:

It is great software for vector based graphics (SVG) creation and editing. It provide lots of vector editing tools. Most important tool in Inkscape is Node selection which is alternative to direct selection tool of Illustrator. It is free alternative to adobe Illustrator.

Cons:

Sometimes the processing is slow. User Interface is not user friendly. Require extensive learning curve. Issues with editing Illustrator files.

Best vector based editor for linux

Comments: My daily driver for most of the graphic design / laser engraving I do.

Pros:

Great for publishing, pre-print page layout and preparation, vector works and laser engraving. It even has a embroidery plugin that allows it to become fully functional embroidery software.

Cons:

nothing to say here, it is great alternative to the win / mac software, but available on any platform.

To Create High-Quality Vector Images for Free, Look No Further Than Inkscape

Comments: Because Inkscape is able to work with many different image formats, it has enabled me to convert raster images to vectors at work, making it possible to print high quality promotional material. Its ability to open and modify PDF and AI (Adobe Illustrator) files is a real plus, as designers will often send their work in those formats. I have encountered a few frustrations while using it, but my overall experience is definitely positive and I would recommend this software any day of the week to any person getting into vector graphics design. Inkscape is a polished piece of software, working as expected on all major platforms (Windows, MacOS and Linux). For some rare corner cases, it even provides a built-in XML editor, allowing you to edit textually any detail of your creation, which can surprisingly be easier to understand by abstracting away the user interface in a readable format. It can be overwhelming to learn how to use all of its features, but there are great resources available on Internet and in the "Help" menu in Inkscape, including a lengthy manual and tutorials ranging from basic to advanced level.

Pros:

One of the features I like the most about Inkscape, apart from the fact that it is an open source (free) software, is its ability to convert bitmap images to vectors, which can be done in a variety of ways depending on the desired result (brightness cutoff, edge detection, color quantization, etc.). The Bezier tool is also very intuitive to use, even more so than in other applications such as GIMP, which doesn't support paths and SVG as well as Inkscape. Using the Bezier, you can either draw an approximate path to be modified later or add precise curves along the way to minimize the work to be done after the path is created. Some tools, like Spray, Eraser and Gradient, provide some handy shortcuts to create absolutely interesting effects without much effort. For instance, Spray can take another object as a selection, the Eraser automatically redraws the modified paths without the erased part and the Gradient tool can take as an argument the average color in a selection. Most of the commonly used tools are present by default, but you can choose to move or remove many of them. Amongst those tools, there are many snapping behaviors available that can be turned on and off quickly along with many more windows that can pop up or be reduced on demand. It takes some time to get used to the way windows can be rearranged, but it provides greater flexibility down the road.

Cons:

Inkscape is filled with so many options that the default interface can look like a mess on small resolution screens: hopefully, it is possible to remove less used buttons by customizing the interface. Sometimes, when working with images that render a very high amount of details by applying filters, the software becomes slow and may unexpectedly crash. Unfortunately, it is a hard problem to avoid, the only available choice being to use as few filters as possible until the very end. Without using extensions, it is also hard to position guides according to your needs: you have to do manual calculations to make sure you can properly align guides between them. There are many ways to snap objects together, but it's still tricky to try to center a vertex from one object to the center point between two other points from only a portion of a second object: again, manual calculations need to be involved. On smaller screens of less than 17 inches, many long menus when selecting cover up to the bottom of the screen, making it impossible to read the description for each tool that appears in the bottom part of the main window that stays beneath the menu, leading to forceful experimentation in order to guess what each option does.

The best open source option for creating vector graphics

Comments: Compared to the minor setbacks, I recommend InkScape for all vector drawings.

Pros:

If you're looking to 'create' vector graphics, InkScape is very straightforward and simple to use. It has a well-arranged menu system and it allows you to do any 2D graphic that you'd otherwise create using expensive programs like Illustrator. It runs on most platforms - for me I need to use it on Windows and Ubuntu and it works without a flaw. It supports layers but you don't really need it since you can easily re-edit every single object even on the same layer. The fact that the files created are as SVGs allows the images to be directly opened on all modern web browsers. I truly admire the work of the developers here as this is a great open source program and you can just download it for free.

Cons:

These are the main drawbacks of InkScape: 1. You can only export images as PNG files if you need bitmap exports. Not even JPEG is possible. 2. 3D graphics are not possible. 3. Saving as other formats or importing from AI files is not always great. It seems a little buggy. 4. There is no way to know if your colours are print or screen-friendly. This is something that you find important especially for printing logos and art work. Despite these drawbacks, I always choose it as I find it very comfortable working with it.

Great Free Alternative to Adobe Illustrator

Comments: Overall, this program is great when paired with a paint program, something to support the vector. Gimp was really good to pair with it. I would definitely recommend

Pros:

Inkscape is a vector software that allows you to make clean logos, illustrations, infographics, etc. I only just downloaded this program about a week ago but I've already used it in my freelance illustration job. The other program I had been using was Gimp, another free software. But Gimp wasn't allowing me to create basic shapes. So I was able to save the file I was working on in Gimp as a .pdf file and then bring it over to Inkscape where I added boxes that were perfectly resizeable and did not anchor after you made them. I was able to go back and adjust the color of the boxes and also add and format text within them. It was beautiful. Inkscape is part of GNU which is the Free Software Movement put in place for just that-- freedom of software, bringing people from all walks of life into an equal platform. So that is why I chose to pair my previous Gimp software with this free Inkscape software as they are part of GNU Systems. Actually, Inkscape borrows some tools and coding from GIMP making it so easy and natural to jump between the two programs in one project. I'd go as far as to say that Inkscape is to Gimp what Adobe Illustrator is to Adobe Photoshop. Each is needed in it's own capacity, each tackle the same job at different angles.

Cons:

This is purely asthetic but one thing I was slightly put off by was the white layout. When I first logged into the program, it reminded me of Sticky Notes on my computer. It didn't have that Adobe-esque feel that Gimp had with basically the same dark design. It just didn't feel like it could hold up to creating numerous graphic layers and really tricky tool maneuvers. While obviously it is not Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape seems like it has a lot of essential features to pair up with Gimp, that when these two free programs are paired, the result is very similar to Adobe Suite products. It is a bit different in the tools area as AI. I wasn't able to figure out how to move objects onto different layers. It wasn't as intuitive as AI or Gimp, for that matter.

Inkscape Teached Me The Basics Of Logo Desgning

Comments: Even you face a little bit of trouble for figuring out the operations in Inkscape, I definitely recommend this for logo designing and vector graphics.Best platform which i used up to date for the same purposes.

Pros:

I started to using Inkscape from 2019.Inkscape works really well in making logos and vectors in a simple format.One of the best featurre it provides is called node editing.Its capability of handling node editing impressed me alot.I think Inkscape is the best designing software to start graphic designing , if you are not familiar with any other softwares like adobe illustrator.One of the best speciality of Inkscape is that , it is totally free and it works well in all major operating systeems like windows,mas o.s and linux.If you are running a business , this one is suited for small, medium and also well suited for freelancers .Even i didn't tried much about vector designing in Inkscape, i believe this one helps to learn about basics of vector designing more easily that otheer graphics softwares like corel draw.You can set and edit or convert nodes is the best thing about Inkscape.It also support path simplification with variable threshold, path insetting and outsetting, object creation,bitmap tracing etc.I always like to use the speciality of converting a real picture into good looking and creative logos using Bezier curve tool.If you are looking to learn logo making and digital vectors, i always recommend Inkscape.This one helped me alot to learning in designing some logos.

Cons:

If you are dealing with very large projects, it has some tendancy to freeze for sometime and this makes to feel bad while working on projects.It may be difficult to operate atfirst time after installation because of the new tools and features which are unfamiliar to a person who is a novice in digital graphics.So think it will take some time to figure out how Inscape is working.Even they provide tutorials about the working, most of people feel like an alien at the time of first use.Definitely i faced saving my work as in .jpeg or .gif format primarly and also it does not support .ai extension files.

A free and standard software for producing Vector art

Comments: I have really liked using it to produce logos and other vectorized images, since it has quite a lot of options that facilitate work. I would really recommend it to anyone interested in practicing vector art, especially if you cannot afford the more expensive softwares, since this one has all you could need to start.

Pros:

It is one of the standard softwares, and this makes it easy to find information and tutorials online, which facilitates understanding how it works. It also provides a few tutorials with the program itself, which is always good to have. It is also free, and open-source, so users can develop and change it if they need to. The webpage has quite a few suggestions regarding tutorials and key-bindings, which is great to have as a new user. The functionalities are quite extensive and useful, allowing users to produce shapes and lines that can be easily altered using nodes, without losing any of their quality. It has many predetermined shapes, but also has a few tools that allow users to draw the shapes they need. Pre-determined shapes can also be modified by the user to fit what they need. There are also countless options to work with regarding colors, gradients, position changes, grouping, selection, etc. There is even a selection tool that allows the user to select similar objects by their color or shape! It also allows to save the files in standard formats that can later be sent to others, or used in programs like Photoshop, which is a great option to have in case any further modification is needed that cannot be done in Inkscape itself. Overall, it has great tools that facilitate work quite nicely for users, both regular and new to the software.

Cons:

It is not very aesthetic-looking, and it can be a bit difficult to follow the tutorials, since many of its tools seem to have been moved around, and had their key-bindings changed, in later versions. This makes it hard for new users to find the tools or options they need for each piece, and can actually generate a lot of confusing when you start working with it.

Inkscape, a "Go To" for so many reasons...

Comments: Inkscape is really fantastic. It's always installed on my multiple work desktops. I have found Inkscape great for mocking up websites, and also doing perfectly formed layouts for printing. When I need to do some CNC work with my X-Carve, I throw the shapes together in Inkscape, export to an SVG, and I'm not long from rocking and rolling. There are very few programs that I've used the same way for so long, but I keep coming back to Inkscape.

Pros:

Free and Cross Platform! Inkscape gets the job done when I need vector graphics, SVGs, and more. I use it primarily for my room maps, rack layouts, network diagrams and more. As I've started doing a lot of CNC milling, I've found it very useful to do my designs in Inkscape, and then port them over!

Cons:

Learning curve makes it a slow start, when I have to shake off the rust. The software hasn't had a great deal of graphical updates, and still has the dated look it it. But this is only cosmetic.

1.0 Version Much Improved

Comments: I have been looking for quite awhile for a replacement for my Adobe Fireworks graphics program. I needed a tool that allowed me to easily manipulate graphics and create new content with ease. I'm not a graphics designer, so I don't need the power and complexity of Photoshop or Gimp, but something that will allow me to do some basic graphics manipulation with ease. Inkscape fits this need well. I also wanted something multiplatform since I work primarily on a Mac with an Ubuntu machine as my alternate. Inkscape runs great on each.

Pros:

I like the fact that I can insert basic shapes and manipulate existing images with relative ease. I'm a developer (not designer) so I do get artwork created by others that needs manipulating. Inkscape allows me to resize, reformat and do basic image manipulation with ease.

Cons:

I was using the beta 1.0 version previously and am happy to see the release of the official 1.0 version for the Mac that resolved a bunch of issues. I would welcome a more feature rich "magic wand" tool to select objects and be able to manipulate image boundaries. The software is powerful although with power comes complexity at times.

Some issues but free is hard to beat

Comments: We use it primarily to design pieces for laser cutting. Because of this we also have to teach others how to use it as well. Inkscape is buggy enough that laser cutting is challenging, but doable. Because it’s free, the headache is worth the payoff, but I prefer to use other software for more complicated tasks.

Pros:

Inkscape has tons of features, it’s free, and has a pretty decently sized user base. It is very comparable to other vector based software like Illustrator, has many of the same features, and is definitely a serviceable product.

Cons:

My biggest gripe with Inkscape is that the user manual is insufficient. Features are not very intuitive nor are they similar in function to similar tools from other software. Prepare to do a lot of googling and YouTubing if you want to learn how to use a tool or figure out if the function even exists in Inkscape.

Digital Design for All

Comments: I am a HUGE FAN of this program! Using Inkscape, in conjunction with GIMP, I have created a lot of quality content over the past few years-- all with no investment!

Pros:

Inkscape is extremely easy to use-- so easy, in fact, that I even train some of my clients on how to use this fantastic software to generate their own social content. The UI is clean, user-friendly, and plays wells with multiple display setups. Rendering is very powerful-- I have created physical & digital billboards, massive banner, and vehicle wraps all with this FREE, open-sourced software.

Cons:

Performance can be a minor issue on certain machines (runs incredibly well on Linux Mint). Little to no CMYK support, but if you find the right print shop and select appropriate colors, that can be a non-issue. Some complicated images can be a little glitchy both in the program and after export, but I can always find a quick workaround with little effort.

Inkscape does what others do for free

Comments: It's been a good experience so far. We got inkscape initially just to test its functions but our designers ended up fully adopting it, which is good thing.

Pros:

Firstly, it is open source and free which is a plus for some designers who can't afford the pro illustrators. It can handle object designs seamlessly because of its multiple parameters and features.

Cons:

Inkscape is a bit difficult to use, it really requires extra training to use. It's quite complex.

Amazing piece of vector editing software

Comments: Using it for over 10 years now. I can't imagine wanting it to change for different software.

Pros:

It's free and opensourced. I stopped using Corel Draw because Inkscape do the jobs I need much better.

Cons:

Not much support for large format printing

The best cost benefit!

Comments: I have used Inskape for many years, as a free option for anyone looking to do more professional work, Inkscape offers a wide range of features and is a great choice for graphic designers, artists, illustrators and other professionals who need to create vector-based images . Being free software, I often use Inkscape for free for personal and commercial use on various platforms such as Windows and Mac.

Pros:

What stands out most about Inkscape is that it is easy to use and that it supports various extensions and plugins, allowing the creation of new functionalities and features. For example, the program allows you to import files from other graphics programs, such as Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW. Furthermore, it supports a wide range of file formats including SVG, PDF, EPS, PNG, OpenDocument and many others.

Cons:

I have nothing negative to say about the program, as it has always met my needs perfectly.