Edit vector graphics with Inkscape

When we mention graphics editors, we are normally talking about editing photos. But if you want to create illustrations from scratch, a vector-based editor, such as Inkscape, is better. Unlike photos, vector graphics are shapes that can be manipulated without any loss of quality.

Inkscape uses the file standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), but it can import files from a variety of sources including PDF. Illustrator AI files are supported though sadly Illustrator EPS files are not, unless Ghostscript is also installed.

Inkscape 0.48 has multipath editing, an improved text tool with better kerning and tracking, a new spray tool and a variety of bug fixes.

Installation is simple. There are plenty of templates in the New document menu. These cover DVD inserts, icons, business cards and presets for different video sizes. They are quite basic as templates go but do at least provide the bare bones of the different projects.

There are lots of different tools for creating shapes, whether you are creating them line by line or using the shapes preset tools. There is also a tool for creating 3D shapes and all the different perspective.

There are eight tutorial documents explaining the basics from shapes to calligraphy and the elements of design. More tutorials can be found on the Inkscape Tutorials blog.

The status bar at the bottom of the screen gives a quick one line explaination of the current command under the cursor.

A guide to Inkscape can be found here.