Today I will be covering one of the most well known open source software available for Linux, Inkscape. This is a software that have won awards, been hailed as one of the best software available for the graphics manipulating community in the Linux world. It won the award for the best open source software in 2008 and since then has become more stable and gets what needs to be done quickly.
So what does it do? Inkscape is a vector drawing software as opposed to GIMP which is a raster image manipulation software. For those of you who didn't get it, vector drawings doesn't get pixelated when you zoom in as all the curves are defined by mathematical equations that doesn't loose its quality at higher zoom levels. On the other hand raster images get pixelated when you zoom on them as they are defined by pixels.
For even a better comparison for those of you reading this from Windows, Inkscape is to Adobe Illustrator or CoreDRAW and GIMP is to Adobe Photoshop. For Linux folks, chances are Inkscape is no new name but still, for a comparison sake, think of it as OpenOffice/LibreOffice Draw, only a zillion times much better. While Inkscape is not as good as a program of the much more expensive adobe suite and CorelDRAW, it gives both of these programs a good run for its money, while being free and open source.
I use Inkscape for a lot of things. Making logos, cliparts, layouts, business cards, posters and even used it to make CAD drawings until Draftsight, an open-source alternative to AutoCAD, came along. My experience with Inkscape has been very good, better than Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW and I been able to get things done faster and quicker. Inkscape is easy to learn and with the small learning curve it has the best way to learn it is get down and dirty, which is what I did.
Pros
Open source, cross platform. Work on Linux and show of your work in Windows
Small learning curve. If you know Illustrator, CorelDRAW or any other vector drawing program, you need not worry about getting started on Inkscape. If you want a learning guide, click here.
Good replacement for GIMP for doing a lot of work. GIMP, while is a good software, has its own faults and wrinkles. Chances are you'll find using Inkscape as a better alternative to somethings like making site designs, business cards, cliparts, icons etc.
Light on system resources. On my Acer Aspire 3680, (which is my benchmark laptop because of its old age), Inkscape runs very smoothly. On my HP the system resources hardly feels anything when I run Inkscape. It is also a super fast speed demon.
It can output files in a lot of forms. PNG and EPS is the one that I use a lot. Allows me to import my work into Window non-free programs when I need to.
The one feature in GIMP that most people whine about is its multiple window layout. While most people want a one window software like Adobe Photoshop, others feel more comfortable with the multiple window Mac look and feel software. Inkscape can be pimped to act like both. See the screenshots.
Cons
Its not bug free. Some bugs have been fixed, some are still around. While its not bug free, Inkscape has never crashed on me, leaving me stranded to redo my finished work
Cannot open or import default file extension for Adobe Illustrator (*.ai) or CorelDRAW (*.cdr). There is a work around by exporting in eps format in those programs and then opening them in Inkscape. Not the most neat and streamlined way of working.
Some extra knowledge needed to finish of a website layout so that its sliced properly and shows up as intended on a web browser
Preview
Inkscape. Looking nice and native
Maximised to fill entire window
A smiley in five minutes. All toolbars and dialogs in one window
I quickly forgot about GIMP and Adobe photoshop after I started using Inkscape, because those programs really didn't give what I want from them. With Inkscape, making layouts and designing in vector is a snap
, came along. My experience with Inkscape has been very good, better than Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW and I been able to get things done faster and quicker. Inkscape is easy to learn and with the small learning curve it has the best way to learn it is get down and dirty, which is what I did..
, (which is my benchmark laptop because of its old age), Inkscape runs very smoothly. On my HP the system resources hardly feels anything when I run Inkscape. It is also a super fast speed demon.
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