Inkscape 1.4 is now available, delivering significant performance upgrades and new tools that will benefit digital artists, VFX professionals, and animators. This open-source vector graphics editor continues to push the boundaries of efficiency and versatility, making it a valuable asset for anyone working in digital production.
One of the most notable improvements in Inkscape 1.4 is its performance. Faster file opening and rendering times, especially with complex vector designs, reduce bottlenecks in the workflow. The renderer now supports high-DPI displays, ensuring sharper previews, crucial for artists working with fine details. Alongside performance boosts, Inkscape now supports a variety of file formats, including SVG, PDF, EPS, PS, PNG, and DXF, making it easy to integrate into broader pipelines. It even includes support for importing Affinity Designer files, allowing for seamless collaboration with users of Affinity tools, such as Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo. This is a significant addition for teams using mixed software environments, as Inkscape users can now handle Affinity files without losing any content.
Inkscape 1.4’s new features make it easier than ever to create, edit, and manage vector graphics. The Filter Gallery now features previews, categories, and search functions, allowing users to find the perfect filter quickly.
The Modular grids and improved axonometric grids make isometric designs and layout planning smoother, with flexible grid angles and modularity for icon creation. The Swatches dialog and palette file handling have been overhauled, introducing search capabilities, quicker access to layout controls, and support for various palette formats, including CIELAB, Adobe Color Book, and Adobe Swatch Exchange.
Another significant update is the Unified font browser preview, which can be enabled in the preferences. This feature allows artists to browse and preview fonts quickly, streamlining the typography process. Power users with CSS knowledge will appreciate the ability to customize handles through the new Customizable handles option, enabling control over the shape and style of UI elements. The Fast image clipping feature, enabled via the Shape Builder tool, allows raster images to be clipped into multiple sections, further improving the flexibility of Inkscape for mixed media work.
Moreover, Inkscape now supports internal links in exported PDF files, making it easier for artists to create interactive documents with navigational aids. The software has also received a visual refresh, featuring over 500 new icons in the Dash theme, giving the interface a modernized look. Additionally, Inkscape has added new templates for creating folding booklets, improved its extension speed, and introduced more keyboard shortcuts and command-line options.
Inkscape remains completely free to download, with optional donations encouraged to support development through their website. No subscription or payment is required, making it an ideal choice for both independent artists and professional studios. However, it is recommended to test these new features in your specific production environment to ensure they meet your workflow requirements.
For full details and official documentation, visit the Inkscape website here.
Price: Free (Donations welcome).
