Software can have a significant impact on our productivity and creativity. Most of us are using some sort of software in our work, whether for personal or business purposes. Software consists of a program and all the resources that enable it to be useful. One of the best software categories is vector graphics software. In this article, you will learn more about free vector drawing software mac.
Are you looking for the best vector graphics software for mac? Then you’re in the right place. Currently, there are many graphics software which are available online, that can provide you with free or premium features. However, an important thing to note is that not all these graphics softwares will be suitable for your computer and designing needs. That’s why we’ve created a list of top quality vector drawing software mac.
LibreOffice Draw
Another free vector software in the list is LibreOffice Draw which is from the parent company LibreOffice. This organization has launched open-source alternatives to all Microsoft Office products and excelled by launching a vector design software known as Draw. Many users claim that it contains lesser features than other vector graphics software but it is surely worth a try.
Features:
- Easy to create flowcharts and diagrams.
- Supports technical drawings and brochures
- Create network diagrams
Price: Free
Pixelmator
Pixelmator is a beautifully designed, easy-to-use, fast and powerful image editor. And it has been hugely successful, especially since the introduction of the Mac App Store. Pixelmator is one of very few apps today that can really compete with the power of Photoshop. Last year the Pixelmator Team also added vector drawing support to the app, and although it still has a long way to go (no gradients on vector shapes, or exporting to vector fomats yet) this is definitely one to keep your eye on in the future.
Sketch
From the makers of the popular font organization tool Fontcase, Bohemian Coding brings you Sketch. A few quirky bugs aside, this is a very elegant and powerful vector drawing tool. Pieter Omvlee (the creator) is very attentive to his customers’ requests and comments, and I can see a lot of potential for this app. For casual users of Illustrator, this could be a great lightweight alternative for you to consider, it also has good (but not perfect) support for the SVG vector format.
iDraw
This is the Mac version of iDraw for iPad, and when you start using it on a desktop or laptop, it really highlights how powerful both versions of this app actually are. Notable features include SVG import and export, shape and styles libraries, multiple layers, and boolean path combinations.
Gravit Designer
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS, Web
Download link: designer.io
We might be a bit subjective here. After all, Gravit used our icons. However, Gravit’s developers have much more to offer than having good taste.
On a feature-wise specter, Gravit falls precisely between Inkscape and Vectr. It has more features than the latter while staying as intuitive as the former. And, like all the apps mentioned in this article, it comes with no price attached. Talk about balance.
The app allows you to do everything you would expect from a vector software program: Create curves, edit paths, manage layers and use the knife function. It supports SVG, PDF, JPEG,.SKETCH and recently, EPS (finally!) formats for import and export. In addition, you can work on your projects across different platforms; Gravit Cloud allows seamless transition of files between desktop and online versions. A portable version is also available.
Among the other handy things that Gravit features, there are vector assets that are available within the app. Gravit Designer’s library of assets includes icons, shapes, emojis, and illustrations – all of which can be combined and modified for commercial and non-commercial use.
Gravit Youtube Channel
Even though the tool is free (according to developers, “there will definitely be areas in Gravit Designer in the foreseeable future, or areas surrounding Gravit Designer, that are subject to a charge”), bugs are being fixed and the most voted for features are being developed. You can see a full description of the new features in the Gravit Designer developers’ blog, along with a bunch of cool tutorials.
Tutorials: Youtube Playlist
Pros:
- Huge library of vector assets out-of-box
- Intuitive UI and workflow
- Browser and cross-platform versions, all connected with cloud
Cons:
- Not yet clear what features will stay free in the future
- No advanced features like the ones that can be found in AE or Inkscape
Artboard
Artboard is a simple and direct vector drawing app. From a professional designer’s point of view, this app may be lacking in some key areas, and it doesn’t have the same “Mac” feel that some of the other comparable apps in this roundup do. But at the end of the day if you want a simple, vector drawing app with lots of presets and editable vector clip art, this does the job.
Intaglio
In it’s own words, Intaglio retains the feel of MacDraw while harnessing the full capabilities of Quartz and CoreImage. Old timers soon feel right at home and those new to Mac drawing pick it up quickly. It’s safe to say that this app operates differently to most modern vector drawing apps, but it provides incredible control of the vector elements, can potentially create complex, photorealistic images, and has good import and export support.
Keynote
Keynote doesn’t need to be limited to creating snazzy slideshows and opening Power Point files. You may be surprised to find that Apple’s slideshow presentation software has a great set of vector drawing tools, and when you couple that with it’s ability to make clickable prototypes, Keynote becomes a very valuable tool.
Inker
Inker vector graphics editor is famous for creating typographies and logos. EPS and SVG export functions, gradients are the key designing features of the Inker online editor.
The vector graphics editor is easy to use and provides color palettes for adjusting colors. Inker supports all types of drawings, such as sketch inking, comics, logotype, etc.
Features of Inker:
- Arranging created artwork, layer, and group-wise
- Drawing smooth finished lines
- Option for creating shapes
- Organized color palette for adjusting colors
Free trial: NA
Inker Pricing: It’s a free vector graphics software.
Compatible OS: Mac OS, Android, Google Chrome and web-based
Hype
Hype is a tool for creating animated and interactive HTML5 web content, so although at it’s heart this isn’t a vector drawing app, the way it operates is very similar. And unlike some other apps, Hype uses HTML5, Javascript and CSS3 to render it’s content, making it an ideal tool for web designers. With one click you can have a web-ready, interactive document.
Acorn
From this roundup, Acorn has the highest overall rating on the Mac App Store, and it’s easy to see why. Upon first launching Acorn, it appears deceptively simple (only 12 tools), but then you start digging further into it, and it becomes apparent that this app has a lot going for it. Acorn is similar to Adobe Fireworks in that it combines vector drawing with bitmap editing. It also has layer styles! Not just layer styles either, but the ability to stack multiple instances, save presets and an impressive list of effects to choose from too (although some seem less practical than others).
Conclusion:
Vector graphics software allow you to create stunning illustrations and designs for all kinds of projects, covering everything from web design and logo design, to games and print work. This means you can find something relevant no matter what field you’re working in.