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Inkscape launches versions 0.92.4 and 1.0 alpha

inkscape.org

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Re: Inkscape launches versions 0.92.4 and 1.0 alpha

#51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> there is always room for developers, too, especially those who can help with preparing the upcoming Inkscape 1.0 to be usable on MacOS. As few Inkscape volunteer developers use a Mac, the project needs someone who knows how to automatically package a .dmg file, to enable Mac users to test the alpha version, along with Mac equipment to run continuous integration jobs.

I would pay for a packaged Mac version that dropped Xquartz and fixed the painful hidden windows issue mentioned in gp.

There are plenty of freelance OS X developers out there that would be willing.

Re: Inkscape launches versions 0.92.4 and 1.0 alpha

#53
post #31
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Calling something vi like is either naivete or a really high praise. Can you elaborate please how it helps you be productive?

The productivity part is that it binds single keys directly (without meta keys like control, alt etc) to actions, so working with it is extremely fluid, almost like typing. There is almost nothing I need menus or gui buttons for, so I never have to take my eyes off the work. I often work with one hand on the keyboard and the other on the mouse and I just get into a flow where I have completely forgotten the human / c…

That sounds cool. Given that you use vim- I assume you're a programmer too- what do you use inkscape for?

Re: Inkscape launches versions 0.92.4 and 1.0 alpha

#54
post #33

I design all of my vector graphics in PowerPoint. If I want to export my PowerPoint graphics to SVG or PNG I can simply export to PDF, import into Inkscape, and re-export as SVG or PNG. Used it countless times to make T-shirt designs, logos, etc. Super convenient "free" alternative to Adobe Illustrator. (Most people have access to and know how to make vector graphics out of shapes in PowerPoint)

Do you have a tutorial?

Re: Inkscape launches versions 0.92.4 and 1.0 alpha

#55

I sure wish they'd make it run as a first class citizen on Mac, currently it uses XQuartz and I'm constantly having it open a file but I can't get to the windows: they flash, then go to some hidden desktop and you have to jump through hoops to try to get them to actually display. Horrible user experience and I have given up on recommending this to other because they all run into the same thing and get frustrated and…

I work at a fab lab. We love Inkscape and I train many people to use it each week. Our workshops are exclusively Inkscape focused. Illustrator takes a back seat.

On Mac, xQuartz is a bad sticking point. The unusual ctrl/cmd key swap is difficult to remember. The XQuartz preferences are difficult to parse and must be changed upon install — even I refer to the instructions on the Mac download page every time. A first class Mac app would make it a much easier sell.

We still use v 0.91 as 0.92 moved from 90 dpi svg to 96 dpi svg, to conform to web svg. This can cause problems with our laser cutter software. More important, opening files authored in 0.92 in 0.91 can change the physical size of the drawings. I believe the sizes remain correct if defined in a physical measurement (ie anything but pixels), but some extensions generate svgs whose dimensions are nevertheless affected when opened in the older software. This issue, and the occasional crashing on windows when pasting an image copied from elsewhere, are the only problems I face with this excellent software. Bravo!

Re: Inkscape launches versions 0.92.4 and 1.0 alpha

#56
post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would pay for a packaged Mac version that dropped Xquartz and fixed the painful hidden windows issue mentioned in gp.

There are plenty of freelance OS X developers out there that would be willing.

A recent mailing list post with some clues to get in touch and help : http://inkscape.13.x6.nabble.com/Inkscape-0-92-3-package-for...

Re: Inkscape launches versions 0.92.4 and 1.0 alpha

#57
post #53
post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The productivity part is that it binds single keys directly (without meta keys like control, alt etc) to actions, so working with it is extremely fluid, almost like typing. There is almost nothing I need menus or gui buttons for, so I never have to take my eyes off the work. I often work with one hand on the keyboard and the other on the mouse and I just get into a flow where I have completely forgotten the human / c…

That sounds cool. Given that you use vim- I assume you're a programmer too- what do you use inkscape for?

Svg icons,I expect.

Re: Inkscape launches versions 0.92.4 and 1.0 alpha

#60

I use inkscape at work in part of a large-ish application. We chose to use inkscape for part of an image generation toolkit because of the great command line options and the easy to modify source files. As for the UI, ever since .91 they have fixed my biggest concern, and I'm really happy for the team. Rarely feel the pain and need to reach for illustrator on a windows machine!

We have recently been playing with a laser cutter for protyping, and have been using different applications to get SVGs to the cutter. Illustrator has actually been a pain for this. Illustrator's SVG format does not retain the dimensions correctly. After trial and error, it turns out that the Illustrator SVG must be scaled 133%. SVGs coming out of Inkscape do not suffer from this problem. At this point, I have not us…

Just as a counterpoint, I had the exact opposite problem on my laser cutter. Inkscape SVGs were always the wrong size, while Illustrator ones were perfect. It ended up being a difference in the assumed resolution of SVGs in the control board firmware. Also, if you forget to save from Inkscape as a vanilla SVG, you end up with inkscape-specific tags that cause laser software to freak out.
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