Inkscape 0.46 (33.45 MB)

A free, open-source, vectorized image-creator? You mean, like Adobe Illustrator, but smaller and at no cost? Could it be?

Indeed, Inkscape isn't the only one of its kind out there, although it seems like it at times, and it's definitely a solid assault on the Adobe juggernaut. Many of the now-essential tools found in the competition have made their way into Inkscape, including paths, text, markers, clones, alpha blending, transforms, gradients, patterns, and grouping. The app also supports Creative Commons metadata, node editing, layers, bitmap tracing, and direct XML editing. It does all this, and more, without hassles or an enormous footprint.

Other nice touches in the app include updating old industry standards--taking the CTRL Plus hot key for zooming in, and simplifying it so that all you need to hit is the Plus key, for instance. A small thing, but it shows the amount of effort being put into Inkscape. The latest version of the app addresses complaints about the lack of a shape library, for those of us who don't want to have to draw our own stars or triangles.

Overall, Inkscape isn't perfect, and it lacks a certain polish that those more familiar with big-name apps will probably expect. However, most of what it does, it does well. And since it's free, it's worth taking a chance on.