Inkscape for Mac is licensed as freeware for Mac OS operating system without restrictions. It is in architecture / cad category and is available to all software users as a free download.
- Getting Inkscape to run in Mac OS is a littlemore complicated than what you're probably used towith other applications, so let's takea look at the process.Here at inkscape.org, I'll click onthe Mac OS Download button, and Iget some information explaining that Inkscaperequires something called XQuartz.XQuartz is software created by Applethat allows you to run certain cross platformapplications in Mac OS X.And since there's no version of Inkscapecapable of running directly in Mac OS, you needto install and run XQuartz to use Inkscape on a Mac.
Now it's called XQuartz because it connectsapplications to Quartz, which is the OS Xgraphics framework that creates the displaythat you see on your computer screenwhen you're using a Mac.XQuartz is also known as X11.It used to be included with OS X, but that'sno longer the case.Now you have to download and install it yourself.Now you can get XQuartz from this site,xquartz.macosforge.org.The current version works in Mac OS 10.6 or later,and if you have an earlier version, you can alsodownload it from this website.
I'm using Mac OS 10.10 Yosemite,so I'll click on the Quick Download link,and I'll open the download.I'll open the package, and continuethrough the installation process.I'll enter my admin password.When the installation is finished,I get a dialog telling me that I needto log out and log back in.
And then I need to restart my computer.Now that we've restarted our computer,we need to go get Inkscape.So I'll go to Safari, and go to inkscape.org.I'll go to the Download button, and choose Mac OS X,and click the Download link.When the download is done, I'll run the installer.I'll drag Inkscape to my Application folder.And then I'll double click on the Applicationsfolder to open it.
Let's locate Inkscape.Now, I can't just double click at this pointto launch Inkscape, because the Mac's built insecurity features will block it from running.So instead, I'll Control click or right clickon Inkscape, and choose Open from this menu.In the dialog box that appears, I get an alertthat Inkscape is from an unidentified developer,and am I sure that I really want to open it?Yes I am, so I'll click Open.And after a pause, I get a dialog boxtelling me that Inkscape might take a little while longerto build its font caches.
I'll click Okay.This process can actually take several minutes,so don't panic if you don't see anything happening.And then finally, Inkscape opens up.Next, I need to configure X11's inputand pasteboard settings to work with Inkscape.So I'll go to X11, and choose Preferences,and in the Input section, I'll select thebottom two check boxes, 'Enable key equivalents'and 'Option keys send Alt. L and Alt. R'.In Pasteboard Preferences,I'll select 'Enable syncing' and make surethat 'Update CLIPBOARD when Pasteboard changes'is also selected, right here.
At this point, Inkscape is ready to go,so I'll close that dialog box.And there's one last important point to remember.Inkscape is running in this XQuartz environment,so if you switch to another application,you have to return to the X11 app, not Inkscape,in order to resume your work.If I press Command tab to switch to the Finder,and I open a new Finder window.If I try to Command tab at this pointback to Inkscape, it doesn't really work.See how the Finder window stays on top of Inkscape?What I actually need to do is switch to X11,and that hides the other applications,and I can work in Inkscape.
Now that we've got Inkscape running,next we'll start getting familiar with the user interface.
Inkscape for Mac allows you to create vector-based drawings using advanced features like path editors and object sculpting. This open-source product is not native to modern Macs and requires X11 to be installed on your system. On a more positive note, the app comes with documentation that is very detailed and easy to follow.
Pros
Detailed documentation: We were impressed by the detailed documentation for Inkscape for Mac. It walks you through every feature along with practical examples and screenshots to help you learn more effortlessly.
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A large array of features: The software lets you create vector drawings using a grid that you can snap objects to and various object creation tools like polygons, circles, squares, etc. You can also sculpt objects and create paths that your objects should follow.
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Multiple format support: The software's default format is SVG, which is very robust and has advanced capabilities like creating animated images. Other supported formats include JPEG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, EPS, Postscript, etc.
Cons
X11 required: Since the software was built a long time ago, it requires additional software called X11 that no longer ships with OS X. The software is free of charge and can be downloaded separately by opening the X11 app on your Mac.
Outdated interface: If you're already used to drawing tools like Illustrator or Photoshop, you will find the app a bit odd since various features are not where you expect them to be. For example, the layers are located on the status bar and are presented in a dropdown menu. To make matters even worse, you cannot rearrange your toolbars.
Unintuitive shortcuts: Inkscape for Mac comes with keyboard shortcuts that employ the Control button as the main trigger and will go against the muscle memory of everyone who is used to Mac keyboard shortcuts. Fortunately you can change the shortcuts from the app's preferences.
Bottom Line
Despite its age, Inkscape for Mac still functions well and lets you produce usable content once you get comfortable with the interface and the available features. While products like Adobe Illustrator are much more professional and powerful, you don't have to pay a dime for this open-source offering, and the included guide can get you up to speed rather quickly.