Inkscape facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Inkscape

Inkscape 1.3 on Linux
Initial release	November 6, 2003; 21 years ago (2003-11-06)
Stable release	1.3.2  / 25 November 2023
Written in	C++ with gtkmm, Python (extensions)
Operating system	FreeBSD Linux macOS Windows
Platform	IA-32 and x64
Size	81.6 MB
Available in	90 languages
Type	Vector graphics editor
License	GPL-2.0-or-later

Inkscape is a free computer program for drawing and designing. It's a vector graphics editor, which means it creates images using math formulas instead of tiny dots (pixels). This makes your drawings look super clear and sharp, no matter how big you make them!

Inkscape works on many different computers, like Windows, macOS, and Linux. People use it for all sorts of cool projects, like making cartoons, logos, clip art, and even diagrams. It saves your work in a special format called Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), which many other programs and web browsers can open. You can also bring in or save your designs in other popular formats like PDF and PNG.

With Inkscape, you can draw basic shapes like rectangles, ellipses, and spirals. You can fill these shapes with colors, patterns, or cool color fades. You can also add borders to your shapes and make them see-through. Inkscape can even help you turn photos into drawings by tracing them. Once you've made shapes, you can easily move, spin, or stretch them to get them just right.

History of Inkscape

Inkscape started in 2003 from another project called Sodipodi. A "code fork" means that some developers decided to take the existing code and start a new, separate project. They wanted Inkscape to focus more on following the rules for SVG designs.

The name Inkscape comes from the words ink (like drawing with ink) and -scape (like a landscape or a view).

The developers also changed the computer language used to build Inkscape from C to C++. They made the program easier to use and added many new features. Since 2005, Inkscape has been part of the Google Summer of Code program, which helps students work on open-source projects.

Awesome Features for Drawing

Inkscape has many tools to help you create amazing vector art.

Creating Objects and Shapes

Inkscape 0.48.2, showing a rectangle (selected with the select tool), an ellipse, a star and two text objects

Inkscape lets you draw many kinds of shapes:

• Basic Shapes: You can easily make rectangles, circles, and arcs.
• Complex Shapes: There are also tools for 3D boxes, stars, polygons, and spirals.
• Special Tools: You can even create things like barcodes or gears!
• Colors and Borders: Fill your shapes with solid colors, patterns, or smooth color changes. You can also add borders and adjust how transparent they are.
• Freehand Drawing: Use tools like the "pencil" for freehand lines or a "brush" for calligraphic strokes, which work great with a graphics tablet.
• Text Tools: Add text to your drawings and change the font, size, and spacing. You can even make text follow a path or fit inside a shape.
• Layers: Organize your artwork using layers. This helps you keep different parts of your drawing separate and easy to manage. You can hide or lock layers too.
• Image Tracing: This cool feature lets you turn photos or other pixel-based images into vector drawings.
• Clones: Make copies of objects that stay connected to the original. If you change the original, all the clones update automatically!

Changing and Arranging Objects

You can easily change how objects look and where they are placed:

• Transformations: Move, spin, stretch, or slant any object. You can type in exact numbers for these changes.
• Grouping: Put several objects together into a group. This makes them act like one object, so you can move or change them all at once.
• Stacking Order: Decide which objects appear on top of others. This is called the Z-order. You can use layers or manually move objects up and down in the stack.
• Tiled Clones: This tool helps you create cool patterns by making many copies of an object in a symmetrical way.
• Masks and Clips: Use one shape to hide or show parts of another shape, creating interesting effects.

Working with Paths

Paths are the lines and curves that make up vector drawings. Inkscape has many tools to edit them:

• Node Editing: Change paths by moving or adjusting their "nodes" (the points that control the path's shape). You can make sharp corners or smooth curves.
• Tweak Tool: This tool lets you "sculpt" your drawings. You can push, pull, shrink, or rotate parts of an object or even whole objects.
• Path Offsets: Create a new path that is bigger or smaller than an existing one. This is great for making outlines or borders.
• Object to Path: Turn shapes or text into paths, so you can edit them in more detail.
• Simplify Path: Make a path simpler by reducing the number of nodes, while keeping its original shape.
• Path Operations: Combine or cut shapes using tools like "Union" (joining shapes) or "Difference" (cutting one shape out of another).
• Live Path Effects (LPE): These are special effects you can apply to paths. They are "live," meaning you can change them even after you've applied them.

Supported File Formats

Inkscape's main file type is SVG 1.1. It can also open and save files in many other formats.

Other Cool Features

• XML Editor: For advanced users, you can directly change the code behind your SVG drawing.
• Filters: Apply special effects like blurs or shadows to your objects.
• Command-line: You can use text commands to do things like convert files.
• Many Languages: Inkscape is available in over sixty different languages.
• Add-ons: You can add new tools and features to Inkscape using extensions.
• Math Diagrams: It can help you create diagrams for math and science.

Where Inkscape Works

Inkscape can be installed on many different computer systems:

• Windows: It works on Windows 7 and newer versions.
• macOS: You can use it on macOS 10.11 up to 10.15. Newer versions (1.3+) also work well with Apple's M1, M2, and M3 chips.
• Linux: Inkscape is available for almost all major Linux versions, like Debian, Ubuntu, and Fedora.

Inkscape also supports drawing tablets like Wacom, which makes drawing feel more natural.

Inkscape Versions Over Time

Inkscape has been updated many times since it first started. Each new version brings improvements and new features.

Gallery

• Screenshots
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  Splash page for v0.45

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  Main window

• 

  File menu

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  Edited an old SVG File

• Graphics created with Inkscape
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  Cathedral plan

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  PlayStation 3

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  Floral drawing

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  Simple Smile

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  Manga drawing

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  Raster to vector comparison

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  Delivery vehicle

See also

In Spanish: Inkscape para niños