All the vector images They play a very important role in the world of graphic design, being irreplaceable tools when creating precise and very well defined images. What makes them especially useful is that they will never look pixelated or blurry, no matter how much they are enlarged. Today We tell you everything about Inkscape, the free vector editor and how you can use it.
Inkscape is an open source tool that can be used by graphic designers for a wide variety of applications. It's a software compatible with the most important operating systems and quite intuitive to use, characteristics that have made it gain popularity among Internet users.
What is inkscape?
Today, Inkscape It is one of the best free vector graphics programs. It is capable of offering similar functions to those offered by its other major competitors, such as Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw.
This software was developed and released relatively recently. In its beginnings, which date back to just 2023, It was considered a simple alternative to other software with similar functions, we are referring to Sodipodi, another vector graphics editing software.
With Inkscape you will be able to generate and manipulate SVG files, to create illustrations, diagrams, logos and countless images of considerable complexity. All of these tools that Inkscape provides are extremely intuitive and simple to use.
What are the main functions of Inkscape?
create objects
You can draw freehand lines, draw Bézier curves as well as line segments and calligraphic line drawings.
Create all kinds of shapes like rectangles, squares, circles and others a little more complex such as ellipses, polygons, stars and spirals.
You can add texts and make settings in everything regarding these such as: alignment, direction, font, multiline.
You can create links, import, vectorization of raster images.
manipulate objects
From interactively affine transformations or also by specifying certain numerical values.
Hierarchically group objects and groups.
Align and distribute objects.
Filling and contours
Select colors (RGB, TLS, CMYK).
Perform the filled with solid colors, degradation, adding texture and using patterns.
Edit gradients on the canvas through controllers using a gradient editor, which can be linear or radial.
Copy and paste object style.
Colored pipette.
Text settings
Add texts with several lines.
Adjust space corresponding to each line as well as the space between each letter.
Modify the style, the colors used, as well as the size of the characters.
You can make use of vector fonts that have been installed on the system.
Route operations
It will be entirely possible node editing.
Convert all types of text objects, shapes or borders into paths.
Operations boolean.
Create external lines using displacements.
A vector image, understand what it is
To understand exactly what Inkscape is useful for, you should know what a vector image. This topic is not that simple, but the way we will explain it to you will surely be able to do it like a professional graphic design professional.
The first thing you should know is that an image in JPEG, GIF or even BMP format It is essentially made up of a grid of pixels. This makes them totally different from a vector image, which is made up of strokes. The strokes of these images have a starting point and an ending point, There are several additional points between both points, Such points are mostly curves and angles.
It is precisely this characteristic of vector images that is their main essence. Since it is not made up of a certain number of points, You will be able to expand it without it suffering any type of deformation. Its edges will always be smooth and precise. On the other hand, images in formats such as JPEG, GIF and BMP will immediately pixelate when enlarged by you.
What can you do with Inkscape?
Once you know and understand what exactly a vector image is, you can easily deduce some of its practical applications. For example, When a brand creates a logo, they are in the business cards They will be small in size, As in other components of the brand identity materials. But what happens when you want to enlarge them to be used on a large banner? That's where vector images play a key role.
That said, we can say that the fundamental uses of vector images are:
In creating logos for brands
As they are images that can be enlarged without losing any quality or sharpness, it is essential that when creating a logo, let's use software like Inkscape for their creation.
Make illustrations and images
Following the same logic as in the previous point, and regardless of the use you want to give to an illustration, We advise you that the image be vector.
Images for marketing or advertising projects
In any advertising campaign, an image is used in the most varied formats and sizes. They are used from small cards to huge banners., so it will be necessary for it to be able to be enlarged several times its size and still retain its quality. This will be what provides that professional touch that is sought in these cases.
Inkscape Compatible Operating Systems
This cross-platform software is available for almost all current major operating systems. This is mainly one of the main reasons why it is so popular, in addition of course to its open source license.
Inkscape is available with:
Windows.
MacOs.
Linux.
FreeBSD.
The availability of this software He also knows no language barriers., since there are more than 90 for which it can be used. The portable version of Inkscape consumes minimal mobile data, and its technical support is exceptional.
Today we tell you everything about Inkscape, the free vector editor, available to any user. It is a tool that will allow you to create vector images with great quality and sharpness. Let us know in the comments if you have used this vector editor before and what your experience has been. What other one would you recommend?
