The focus of this category is on software designed to create or edit vector graphics, which are graphical representations of mathematical objects, such as lines, curves, polygons, and so on.
Vector graphics may be generated through various programming languages, but they are most often created through vector illustration software, which is not known for short learning curves.
Unlike JPEGs, PNGs, and GIFs, vector graphics are not comprised of grids of pixels. Rather, vector graphics are defined by paths, which are defined by a beginning and an endpoint, along with other points, curves, and angles along the way. These paths can be a line, a curve, a curvey shape, or a triangle, which are used to create simple drawings or more complex diagrams. Paths may also be used to define the characters of typefaces.
Unlike raster graphics, which are defined by a specific number of dots, vector graphics can be scaled to a larger size without loss of quality. When a vector graphic is expanded, its edges remain smooth and clean, while the edges of a raster graphic will become pixelated or blocky. For this reason, vector graphics are ideal for logos because they can be made small enough to fit on a business card or expanded to fill a billboard.
Common vector graphic formats include AI, DRW, EPS, and SVG, with SVG being the most familiar format for vector graphics.
Vector graphics were first used in computer displays during the 1960s and 1970s because early computers didn't have the memory required to display raster graphics. Early arcade games, like Asteroids, were created with vector graphics. By the early 1980s, however, raster graphics had all but replaced the use of vector graphic technology in computers.
Vector graphics have made a comeback in the 2000s, not due to memory issues, but because of their scalable qualities. With the emphasis on responsive web design, the ability to scale a graphic to fit any screen display size have stirred a renewed interest in vector graphics.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) created a new graphics language called scalable vector graphics (SVG) as a royalty-free language containing vector shapes and text, and which can contain embedded raster graphics. SVG is also used in geographic information systems (GIS) applications to produce scalable and interactive maps.
Built on XML, SVG is text-based, always editable, and can be used with cascading style sheets (CSS). SVG is also capable of animating almost any part of an SVG image, and colors can be changed by editing the stroke or fill properties of the code that makes up the SVG file.
Because SVG is a form of XML, SVG graphics can be created in a text editor, although there are advantages in using a text editor that supports XML directly, and there are several XML editors on the market.
Most commonly, however, SVG developers are using vector drawing packages, which are the focus of resources in this category. Some of these applications include a facility to export or save SVG created in a text editor, while others have the ability to both open and save SVG images, and to allow the user to view both the image they have drawn and the corresponding source code, with any changes that are made reflected in real-time. Most vector graphics editors will allow for vector graphics to be exported to a raster format.
Well-known SVG graphics editors include Adobe Freehand, Adobe Illustrator, Corel Designer, CorelDRAW, Inkscape, and Xara Photo & Graphic Designer.
There are several others, as well. Potential users should compare the features of these editors to determine their availability for their OS platform, software license requirements and costs, features, user interface, and support for various vector and raster image formats for import and export.
Recommended Resources
Asymptote is a vector graphics language that provides a coordinate-based framework for technical drawing, with labels and equations typeset with LaTeX, the de-facto standard for typesetting mathematics. Its advantages and features are listed here, along with development credits, a gallery of 2D and 3D graphs, and WebGL movies. Documentation, a support wiki, a forum, tutorials, and a quick-reference are included, along with informational articles.
https://asymptote.sourceforge.io/
Compatible with Chrome OS, Linux, macOS, and Windows operating systems, the Boxy SVG editor uses SVG as its native document format, rendering SVG documents through a Chromium-based rendering engine, and has the ability to import AI, GIF, JPEG, PDF, PNG, and WebP files, and to export to GIF, HTML, JPEG, PNG, and WebP, while its Windows and macOS editions can also export to PDF. Developer tools, keyboard shortcuts, and fonts and photo libraries are featured.
https://boxy-svg.com/
Developed and marketed by Corel Corporation, CorelDRAW is a vector graphics editor, currently offered as the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, a professional graphic design software with vector illustration, layout, photo editing, and design tools. Windows and Mac versions are available, along with a Home and Student suite, and Store editions, each of which is highlighted here, along with its policies for free trials, special offers, tutorials, and support services.
https://www.coreldraw.com/en/
Gravit Designer / Gravit Designer PRO
Gravit Designer PRO is a full-featured vector graphic design application that supports all platforms and can be used for vector illustration, web and mobile app UI design, the creation of professional icons, branding graphics, logos, and illustrations, print projects, social media images, and image and photo editing. Its features are highlighted, user testimonials are posted to the site and its pricing is posted to the site, along with the availability of its free Gravit Designer product.
https://www.designer.io/
The vector graphics editing program may be tried online through the Google Chrome browser or installed on a desktop or Android mobile device. The full-featured vector editor allows users to create shapes quickly and intuitively, draw smooth lines that work well on tablet computers, organize color palettes and adjust colors, arrange created items, groups, and layers, and other editing tasks, with no special skills required. Suitable for logos, typography, and sketch inking, it is available free.
http://inker.co/
Released in 2003, Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor used to create or edit vector illustration, diagrams, charts, line art, charts, logos, and complex paintings, it primary vector graphics format is Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), although other formats can be imported and exported. Available for the FreeBSD, Linux, macOS, and Windows platforms, it is available under the terms of the GNU General Public License. Support services and a forum are available.
https://inkscape.org/
Written in Java, jPicEdt is an extensible, internationalized vector-based drawing editor for LaTeX and similar packages, which also includes a library of reusable high-level graphics primitives. Its features are listed, project samples are highlighted, and project activity, user ratings, and reviews. Hosted on SourceForge, the application is compatible with the Linux, macOS, and Windows operating systems. Installation instructions, developer notes, and documentation are put forth.
http://jpicedt.sourceforge.net/
Available for purchase online, the Sketsa SVG Editor is a cross-platform (Linux, Unix, Windows) vector drawing application that includes features for selecting, drawing, and editing objects, which can be saved in its native SVG file format, or exported or rasterized to JPEG, PNG, and PDF formats through plugins. Its full features are listed and illustrated in screenshots, development notes are posted, and available plugins are highlighted, with links to some.
https://www.kiyut.com/products/sketsa/
Released in 2009 and maintained by the SVG-Edit Team, the web-based vector graphics editor is free and open-source, under the MIT License. Used to create and edit scalable vector graphics (SVG) images from within a web browser, the JavaScript-based tool is also available as a browser add-on for Firefox, a Chrome extension, and a standalone widget for Opera. The two components of the application (svg-editor.js and svgcanvas.js) work cooperatively.
https://github.com/SVG-Edit/
Available as an online application, as well as a desktop program, across multiple platforms, Vectr is a free graphics editor that is used to create vector graphics, particularly 2D graphics for business cards, greeting cards, icons, illustrations, logos, brochures, posters, websites, and presentations. A user guide for the program is published to the site, explaining the use of the editor, dashboard, toolbar, workspace, and filters. Tutorials are also available, and press information is posted.
https://vectr.com/
Originally released as ArtWorks in the 1980s, Xara Photo & Graphic Designer is currently developed by Xara Group, a British software company. Its Windows version was previously marketed as Xara Studio, Xara X, and Xara Xtreme. The company also offers a pro version known as Xara Designer Pro. Its features are listed and shown in an informational video. Other resources include a gallery of images created with the program, templates, and examples.
https://www.xara.com/us/photo-graphic-designer/
