Softonic

Alternatives to Inkscape

Also available in other platforms

Program available in other languages

App specs

Related topics about Inkscape

New apps

More Programs

Help & Info about Inkscape for Windows

  • What is Inkscape?

    It is a digital image-editing program that is used to create and modify vector images. Due to its capabilities and tools, it is often considered a free alternative to Adobe Illustrator.

  • Is Inkscape free?

    Yes, as an open-source program, it is completely free, with no hidden payments or paid upgrades. The design community has also developed a number of free extensions for the program, which enhance its functionality.

  • Is Inkscape safe?

    As a reputable and widely-used program, it is generally considered to be safe. Moreover, there have been no reports of malicious software being included with the program. If you’re concerned about the integrity of this program, use an online or computer-based virus scanner to scan for malicious activity.

  • What is Inkscape used for?

    As a vector-editing program, it is particularly useful in situations where a designer needs the precision and scalability of vectors. For example, commercial printing typically requires the use of vector images to ensure the clarity of the final print. A vector-editing program is also useful for designing logos as these graphical assets often need to be exported at multiple sizes without the loss of quality.

  • Does Inkscape work on Mac?

    Yes, the current version of the program can be installed on computers using macOS and some versions of the Mac OS X operating systems. Older versions of Mac operating systems may be able to support previous version of the software. To install the program on a Mac, you will need to download and install the XQuartz package of software.

  • Can inkscape open AI files?

    The program can import many vector file formats, including Adobe Illustrator’s proprietary document format – files with the .ai extension. It can also open multiple other vector formats, including EPS, SVG and PDF.

  • Can Inkscape save as AI?

    No, the program no longer allows users to export files as Adobe Illustrator (AI) files. If you need to export your work to an Adobe Illustrator compatible file, select the SVG format. This format is compatible with most vector-based programs, so it represents a good choice for document storage.

  • Can Inkscape open PSD files?

    As Adobe Photoshop documents are not entirely vector-based, the program cannot open them natively. There is an extension available that allows the program to import PSD files; however, this extension only allows the vector-based shape layers in the file to be imported.

  • Does Inkscape have layers?

    Yes, like other graphic-editing software, the program uses layers, which can be added, removed, merged and modified using the Layers panel. Layers also support opacity settings and blending modes. These settings can be used to achieve different looks for your work based on the interaction of overlapping layers.

  • Does Inkscape have Live Trace?

    Yes, the program has a feature similar to Adobe Illustrator’s Live Trace, allowing users to convert bitmap images into vector paths. To vectorize an image, simply select it and activate the Trace Bitmap function via the Path menu. From the Trace Bitmap option box, you will be able to adjust the trace settings to achieve a desired result.

Explore more

Related Articles

Laws concerning the use of this software vary from country to country. We do not encourage or condone the use of this program if it is in violation of these laws.
Softonic

In Softonic we scan all the files hosted on our platform to assess and avoid any potential harm for your device. Our team performs checks each time a new file is uploaded and periodically reviews files to confirm or update their status. This comprehensive process allows us to set a status for any downloadable file as follows:

Clean

It’s extremely likely that this software program is clean.

What does this mean?

We have scanned the file and URLs associated with this software program in more than 50 of the world's leading antivirus services; no possible threat has been detected.

Warning

This software program is potentially malicious or may contain unwanted bundled software.

Why is the software program still available?

Based on our scan system, we have determined that these flags are possibly false positives.

What is a false positive?

It means a benign program is wrongfully flagged as malicious due to an overly broad detection signature or algorithm used in an antivirus program.

We’d like to highlight that from time to time, we may miss a potentially malicious software program. To continue promising you a malware-free catalog of programs and apps, our team has integrated a Report Software feature in every catalog page that loops your feedback back to us.

Flag any particular issues you may encounter and Softonic will address those concerns as soon as possible.