As you may have noticed by a a couple of my previous article, I have been taking an extensive interest in Vector Graphics recently. I have been experimenting with different tecniques and styles (I am a long way from perfect), and I have been using Inkscape (well, it is free). I am very impressed with it.
I didn’t know that there was that many free open source Vector Graphics Editors available (Windows, Mac, Unix…).
Here are my Top 10.

1. Inkscape 0.46 (http://inkscape.org/)

URL: http://inkscape.org/
Compatability: Linux, Windows 2000/2003/XP and MAC OSX.
Wiki: Inkscape Wiki.
Download: Inkscape Download

Inkscape supports many advanced SVG features (markers, clones, alpha blending, etc.) and great care is taken in designing a streamlined interface. It is very easy to edit nodes, perform complex path operations, trace bitmaps and much more. We also aim to maintain a thriving user and developer community by using open, community-oriented development.

2. Karbon14 (http://www.koffice.org/karbon/)

URL: http://www.koffice.org/karbon/.
Compatability: KDE.
Docs: koffice docs.
Download: Karbon14 Download.

Karbon14 allows artists to create complex drawings without losing image quality when zooming in on, or resizing the drawing.

3. Scribus v1.3.3.11 (http://www.scribus.net/)

URL: http://www.scribus.net/.
Compatability: Linux/Unix, MacOS X and Windows.
Wiki: Scribus Wiki.
Download: Scribus Download.

Underneath the modern and user friendly interface, Scribus supports professional publishing features, such as CMYK color, separations, ICC color management and versatile PDF creation.

4. Nodebox 1.9.4 (http://nodebox.net/)

URL: http://nodebox.net/code/index.php/Home.
Compatability: MacOS X.
Reference: Nodebox Reference.
Download: Nodebox Download.

NodeBox is a Mac OS X application that lets you create 2D visuals (static, animated or interactive) using Python programming code and export them as a PDF or a QuickTime movie. NodeBox is free and well-documented.

5. Skencil 0.6.17 (http://www.skencil.org/)

URL: http://www.skencil.org/.
Compatability: Known to run on GNU/Linux and other UNIX-compatible systems.
Docs: Skencil Docs.
Download: Skencil 0.6.17 Download.

Skencil is a Free Software interactive vector drawing appliction. Known to run on GNU/Linux and other UNIX-compatible systems, it is a flexible and powerful tool for illustrations, diagrams and other purposes.

And the rest…

6. Draw from openoffice.org.
7. Tgif 2-D drawing tool (For Linux and most UNIX platforms).
8. Xfig (on most UNIX-compatible platforms).
9. Ipe Extensible Drawing Editor (Visit homepage for installation instructions on many Platforms).
10. VRR Project (Unix).

5 Comments so far

1. kriszha on August 6, 2008 10:26 pm

   hi buddy, you have a excellent collection of vector graphics editor…. i love your post..!!!!!!!!!!

2. Web Design Zoo on August 30, 2008 4:00 am

   Really appreciate people writing quality articles like this, many thanks!

3. Jivad on September 22, 2008 8:56 am

   thanx for this download
   i’m from in Pakistan
   i see your website every day
   good luck my friends

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