Vector graphics with Inkscape

Inkscape is a drawing tool that uses the Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) specification for its native format, and also exports to PNG, as well as saving in Adobe Illustrator format, PostScript, Encapsulated PostScript and PovRay formats. Inkscape will open or import graphics from Adobe Illustrator and Dia, other programs' SVG documents and a wide array of bitmap graphics formats. Inkscape runs on Linux, Windows and Mac OS X.

We installed the Inkscape static RPM on a SUSE 9.2 system to see what the program is capable of, and whether Inkscape was stable and feature-complete enough for productive use. The Inkscape download page on SourceForge includes source packages, RPMs and Windows binaries.

To test Inkscape we started off by creating basic shapes using Inkscape's rectangle and ellipse tools and fiddling with color fills, stroke styles, rotation and so forth just to get a feel for Inkscape's tools. It took about fifteen minutes for this writer to get comfortable with the Inkscape interface.

With an application like Inkscape, using a mouse (or tablet) is almost unavoidable. However, Inkscape's shortcut keys allow the user to perform a lot of actions, such as selecting different tools or raising and lowering an object from one layer to another, from the keyboard -- rather than having to grab the mouse to switch between tools or adjust layers. For example, to toggle the current tool from Inkscape's path tool to the select tool, all that's necessary is to hit the space bar or F1. To move an object up one layer, simply hit "Page Up" or "Page Down" to move it lower.

Speaking of layers, layer management is one of the major new features in Inkscape with the 0.40 release, according to the release notes.

Another new feature in 0.40 is a "text-on-path" feature. This allows the user to conform text to a path -- which is useful for creating interesting logos and other artwork that requires text to wrap text to a shape other than a rectangle. The feature is certainly easy to use. All that's required is to select a path and the text object that is to conform to the path. Rectangles, ellipses and other objects must be converted to a path before the user can wrap text to fit that object. By manipulating that object, the user can change the flow of the text even if the text has been removed from the object or if the object is "invisible" because there is no fill color or stroke color associated with the object. The only thing we couldn't figure out was how to specify a starting point on a path for the text.

We also enjoyed Inkscape's "Trace Bitmap" feature, which allows the user to trace an imported bitmap. By importing a photo or other bitmap, it's possible to create an scalable object that can then be turned into paths or otherwise edited in Inkscape. Inkscape has incorporated the potrace utility for this. The trace bitmap feature works best with line art, but can be used to produce some fun effects with photos or other artwork.

Inkscape's performance and stability are excellent. We created a number of documents using Inkscape, exported our documents and some of the Inkscape tutorials to PNG, EPS and PS, and didn't see any glitches. The program never crashed while we were testing, and all of the features that are currently in Inkscape seem to work as advertised. We did notice that some detail was lost when exporting to EPS from the tutorials, but this may not be an Inkscape limitation.

Though Inkscape doesn't have a full user manual at this stage, it does include several useful tutorials for basic and advanced concepts when working with Inkscape, as well as an excellent man page. It also features an "Elements of Design" document, which may be useful for users who lack a background in art and design. The Inkscape interface also features context help for most tools as well as context-sensitive tips in the bottom status bar.

For the most part, this writer found the interface to be straightforward and intuitive. The "Vacuum Defs" item under the File menu was a bit of a puzzler at first, though it was finally determined that it was for removing unused information from the defs tags in a document. We presume this is a good thing.

Some of Inkscape's functions can be used without even needing to start the Inkscape GUI. For example, inkscape file.svg -e file.png will convert an SVG file to a PNG. This can be particularly useful for users who wish to convert a number of SVG files into PNG format.

SVG experts can edit an SVG document directly, if they so choose, by using Inkscape's built-in XML editor. Very few users will be likely to need this tool, but it's there for those who need or want to edit a document's elements directly.

Inkscape may not be at the same level of functionality as Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw, but it's certainly capable of creating some excellent graphics -- even if this writer isn't quite up to the task of fully exploiting its potential. With other open source applications like The Gimp and Scribus, Linux is a serious contender for users who are looking for a desktop publishing platform.