Vector Graphics Editors allow users to interactively edit and compose Vector Graphics (primitives such as lines, points, curves etc forming the whole image). Vector Graphics Editors are best suited for creating Logos, Page Layout, Graphic Design, Illustrations like ClipArts etc, Where as Bitmap Editors (like GIMP or Adobe Photoshop) are more suited for Image Processing. Adjacent picture is taken from Wikipedia article on Vector Editors. A fine example that shows Bitmap Graphics are based on pixels and degrade as the Zoom factor increases where as Vector Graphics is not affected.

Most well known commercial Vector Graphics Editors are Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW and Xara Extreme (Except Linux version). They are very capable but expensive too. But, the Open Source community is not far behind. There are very good Free and Open Source Vector Graphics Editors and Here we list 3 of them.

Inkscape (For Linux, Mac OS and Windows)

• Inkscape is an Open Source Vector Graphics Editor using SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) file format. Comparable to CorelDRAW, Adobe Illustrator and Xara Extreme.
• Inkscape supports many advanced SVG features (markers, clones, alpha blending, etc.) and with a streamlined interface. It is very easy to edit nodes, perform complex path operations, trace bitmaps and much more in Inkscape. There is an active user and developer community that is open, community-oriented development.

Xara Extreme (For Linux)

Xara Xtreme for Linux is a powerful, general purpose graphics program for Unix platforms including Linux, FreeBSD and (in development) OS-X. It is however not free on Windows Platform.

• Is very fast, very slick to use.
• Offers some of the most powerful graphics tools available.
• Is simple to use and learn.
• Has a clean, un-cluttered user interface. Few floating dialogs, palettes, menus etc.
• Is able to create a huge range of outstanding graphics.
• Has a huge resource of learning material, tutorials, movies, tips and a very active enthusiastic and growing user community.

Skencil (For Unix Like and Mac OS)

Skencil is a Free Software interactive vector drawing appliction. Known to run on GNU/Linux and other UNIX-compatible systems, it is a flexible and powerful tool for illustrations, diagrams and other purposes.

It is developed using Python and very powerful with following features.

• Bézier Curves
• Transformed text and images
• Bézier curves, rectangles and ellipses can be used as guides
• Gradient fills
• Blend groups
• Writes EPS files
• Text along a path
• many more…

There are other Open Source Vector Graphics Editors like OpenOffice Draw, Scribus, Karbon14, SK1 etc. They are also worth exploring.

Which one do you like? Do you agree with us? Please comment.