Comparison of vector graphics editors: Difference between revisions

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* [[Adobe Flash]] (formerly a [[Macromedia]] product) has straightforward vector editing tools that make it easier for designers and illustrators to use. The most important of these tools are vector lines and fills with bitmap-like selectable areas, simple modification of curves via the "selection" or the control points/handles through "direct selection" tools. Flash uses [[Actionscript]] for [[Object-oriented programming|OOP]], and has full XML functionality through E4X support.

* [[Adobe FreeHand]] (formerly Macromedia Freehand and Aldus Freehand) is mainly used by professional graphic designers. The functionality of FreeHand includes the flexibility of the application in the wide design environment, catering to the output needs of both traditional image reproduction methods and to contemporary print and digital media with its page-layout capabilities and text attribute controls. Specific functions of FreeHand include a superior image-tracing operation for vector editing, page layout features within multiple-page documents, and embedding custom print-settings (such as variable halftone-screen specifications within a single graphic, etc.) to each document independent of auxiliary printer-drivers. User-operation is considered to be more suited for designers with an artistic background compared to designers with a technical background. When being marketed, FreeHand lacked the promotional backing, development and PR support in comparison to other similar products. FreeHand was transferred to the classic print group after Macromedia was purchased by Adobe in 2005. On May 16, 2007, Adobe announced that no further updates to Freehand would be developed but continues to sell FreeHand MX as a Macromedia product.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/store/index.cfm?store=OLS-US&view=ols_prod&category=/Applications/FreeHand&distributionMethod=FULL&nr=0#loc=en_us&category=/Applications/FreeHand&store=OLS-US&view=ols_prod|title=Adobe Store-North America: FreeHand MX|publisher=Adobe|access-date=3 March 2011}}</ref> FreeHand continues to run on [[Mac OS X Snow Leopard]] (using an Adobe fix) and on [[Windows 7]]. For [[macOS]], [[Affinity Designer]] is able to open version 10 & MX Freehand files.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://affinity.help/designer/en-US.lproj/index.html?page=/Appendix/fileformat.html?title=Import%20and%20export%20file%20formats|title=Import and export file formats - Affinity Designer Help|website=affinity.help|language=en|access-date=2018-08-06}}</ref>

* [[Adobe Illustrator]] is a commonly- used editor because of Adobe's market dominance, but is more expensive than other similar products.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.toptenreviews.com/best-graphic-design-software|title=Best Windows graphic design software|first=Rebecca Spear 06|last=March 2019|website=TopTenReviews|date=25 March 2021 }}</ref> It is primarily developed consistently in line with other Adobe products and is best integrated with Adobe's Creative Suite packages. The [[Adobe Illustrator Artwork|ai file format]] is proprietary, but some vector editors can open and save in that format. Illustrator imports over two dozen formats, including PSD, PDF and SVG, and exports AI, PDF, SVG, SVGZ, GIF, JPG, PNG, WBMP, and SWF. However, the user must be aware of unchecking the "Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities" option if he or she desires to generategenerating interoperable SVG files is desired.<ref name="Inkscape FAQ">{{cite web|url=http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/FAQ#I_exported_an_SVG_file_from_Adobe_Illustrator.2C_edited_it_in_Inkscape.2C_and_imported_back_to_AI.2C_but_there_my_changes_are_lost.21|title=Inkscape FAQ|website=inkscape.org}}</ref>

* [[Affinity Designer]] by [[Serif Europe]] (the successor to their previous product, [[DrawPlus]]) is non-subscription-based software that is often described as an alternative to [[Adobe Illustrator]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/illustrator-vs-affinity|title=Why I Use Affinity Designer Instead of Illustrator for Motion Design|work=School of Motion|access-date=2018-08-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://comparisons.financesonline.com/affinity-designer-vs-adobe-illustrator-cc|title=Affinity Designer vs Adobe Illustrator CC 2018 Comparison {{!}} FinancesOnline|website=Financesonline.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-08-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://99designs.com/blog/design-resources/affinity-designer-vs-adobe-illustrator-review/|title=Affinity Designer vs. Adobe Illustrator: can Designer replace Illustrator? - 99designs|date=2016-08-17|work=99designs|access-date=2018-08-06|language=en-US}}</ref> The application can open [[Portable Document Format]] (PDF), [[Adobe Photoshop]], and [[Adobe Illustrator]] files, as well as export to those formats and to the [[Scalable Vector Graphics]] (SVG) and [[Encapsulated PostScript]] (EPS) formats.<ref name="ER">{{cite news|url=http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/software/photo-editing/1402120/serif-affinity-designer|title=Serif Affinity Designer|last=Martin|first=Keith|date=November 27, 2014|work=Expert Reviews|access-date=December 25, 2015}}</ref> It also supports import from some Adobe Freehand files (specifically versions 10 & MX).<ref name=":0" />

* [[Apache OpenOffice|Apache OpenOffice Draw]] is the vector graphics editor of the Apache OpenOffice open source [[Productivity software#Office suite|office suite]]. It supports many import and export file formats and is available for multiple desktop operating systems.

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* [[Xara Photo & Graphic Designer]] and Designer Pro (formerly Xara Xtreme and Xtreme Pro) are vector graphics editors for Windows developed by [[Xara]]. Xara Photo & Graphic Designer has high usability compared to other similar products and has very fast rendering. Xara Photo & Graphic Designer (and earlier product [[ArtWorks]]) was the first vector graphics software product to provide fully [[antialias]]ed display, advanced gradient fill and transparency tools. The current version supports multi-page documents, and includes a capable integrated photo tool making it an option for any sort of DTP work. The Pro version includes extra features such as Pantone and color separation support, as well as comprehensive web page design features.

* [[Xara Xtreme LX]] is a partially open source version of Xara Photo & Graphic Designer for [[Linux]].

*[[Xfig]] is an Xlib, open source editor started by Supoj Sutanthavibul in 1985, and maintained by various people. It has a technical library. Its advantage is support for exporting of the [[TeX]] friendly files containing code for [[LaTeX]] (pict2e and epic/eepic macros packages), [[PGF/TikZ]], [[PSTricks|PStricks]], graphs and picture drawing scripts that allow inclusion of complicated graphics into various document formats (e.g. PDF).<ref>{{Cite web |title=LaTeX and Xfig |url=httphttps://mcj.sourceforge.net/latex_and_xfig.html |access-date=2022-04-27 |website=mcj.sourceforge.net}}</ref>

==General information==

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| [[Serif Europe]]

| 2014

| 12.96.32

| 20212022-0411-1308

| {{nonfree|$49.99 Windows and $19.99 for iPad}}

| {{Proprietary}}

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[[Category:Multimedia software comparisons|Vector graphics editors]]

[[Category:Vector graphics editors|*Comparison]]

[[Category:Graphics software]]