Inkscape 0.46

Inkscape is an open-source vector graphics editor similar to Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, Freehand, or Xara X. What sets Inkscape apart is its use of Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), an open XML-based W3C standard, as the native format.

In contrast to raster (bitmap) graphics editors such as Photoshop or Gimp, Inkscape stores its graphics in a vector format. Vector graphics is a resolution-independent description of the actual shapes and objects that you see in the image. A rasterization engine uses this information to determine how to plot each line and curve at any resolution or zoom level.

Contrast that to bitmap (raster) graphics which is always bound to a specific resolution and stores an image as a grid of pixels.

Inkscape can import and display bitmap images, too. An imported bitmap becomes yet another object in your vector graphics, and you can do with it everything you can do to other kinds of objects (move, transform, clip, etc.)

While Inkscape does not have all the features of the leading vector editors, the latest versions provide for a large portion of basic vector graphics editing capabilities. People report successfully using Inkscape in a lot of very different projects (web graphics, technical diagrams, icons, creative art, logos, maps).

Highlights in this release:
* Paintbucket tool
* Tweak tool
* 3D Box tool
* Live path effects
* Color management
* New SVG filters and UI
* Native PDF and AI import
* XAML import/export
* Open Clip Art Library integration (import/export)
* Stock patterns
* Bitmap editing extension effects
* Full on-canvas gradient editing
* Engraver's Toolbox in the Calligraphic tool
* Touch selection
* Dockable dialogs
* Command-line access to verbs
* Snapping made usable
* "3D" / axonometric grid
* Angled guidelines
* Conversion of objects to guidelines
* Significant speed and interactivity improvements
* Hundreds of smaller features and bugfixes

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