this post was submitted on 20 Sep 2026
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Inkscape needs help (programming.dev)
submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 15 hours ago) by Orwi@programming.dev to c/programming@programming.dev
 

The incoming version of Inkscape is a brilliantly engineered masterpiece designed to punch Adobe Illustrator in the face.

The scale of Inkscape 1.5 is hard to put into words.

  • A full port from GTK 3 to GTK 4
  • A new rendering engine
  • The Unified Font Browser becoming default,
  • Document Tabs being introduced,
  • Many long-standing issues finally being addressed,
  • New and changed dependencies across multiple target platforms.
  • UI/UX improvements

GTK 4 unlocks several possibilities, but it also exacts its own costs. This transition is definitely being felt in the amount and complexity of the work the developers have had to undertake.

Inkscape developers have been pouring their nights and weekends into 1.5 but they are currently feeling overwhelmed.

If you’re a C++ developer, particularly with graphics experience, Inkscape could use your help in pushing 1.5 forward.

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/work_items

Adobe has unlimited ressources. Inkscape relies on us

πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™

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[–] CoopaLoopa@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 11 hours ago (4 children)

I realize this is a FOSS post, but does anyone also use Affinity?

It's been my go-to for vectors and layouts. Not sure if there are other things that Inkscape does better.

[–] ilinamorato@lemmy.world 5 points 4 hours ago

I'm not willing to put all my eggs into another proprietary basket. Fool me six times...

[–] Slashme@lemmy.world 2 points 5 hours ago

does anyone also use Affinity?

Nope, only you.

[–] Symphonic@lemmy.world 3 points 7 hours ago

Yes, I use it regularly. And it's a very capable program. I use it in conjunction with GIMP.

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 10 points 11 hours ago* (last edited 11 hours ago) (1 children)

Affinity only works (easily) on Windows and Mac, from what I know it's difficult to get running on Linux.

Affinity was also bought out by a large investment company, so while it may be the better option now, it's virtually guaranteed to become just as enshittified as Adobe if they become popular. Only FLOSS protects us long-term.

[–] CoopaLoopa@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

Yeah, I know it's owned by Canva.

They've added a bunch of AI stuff that's behind their subscription, but for at least the last year, the program has been getting regularly improved with the promise of an iPad app soonβ„’.

It will for sure turn to shit in the future, but is pretty good in its current state.

[–] PokerChips@programming.dev 4 points 6 hours ago

I would assume that budding artists would have better time spent learning the techniques of a lasting open source tool like inkscape rather than a proprietary tool that will eventually disappoint you and waste your time.