If you are not so familiar with vector graphics and the software that can create them, you’re in luck. I’ve put together this brief guide full of everything you need to know about free vector software for windows 7 and make your own vectors for free. Not only will you find out about free vector software but also free vector graphics software free download and pay for purchase vector design software although I would highly recommend going for the free vector graphic software if cost is a factor.
Vector graphics are best for multimedia, images and presentations because they can be resized without losing quality. All sorts of people can use vector tools regardless of their level of knowledge and expertise. You do not need to have skills in computer programming to work with vector drawing software. In this article, we present you with 7 free vector graphics software for windows 7 that you may want to check out.
LibreOffice Draw
Draw is a powerful vector graphics editor. It lets you create your picture galleries and can be used to create any sketch from small vector graphics to complex graphic designs. It is a powerful diagramming tool used to create brochures, flowcharts posters, and other technical drawings. LibreOffice Draw lets you easily manipulate your vector sketches and use the objects in 3D as well. It is designed to support Mac, Linux, and Windows.
SVG-Edit
SVG-Edit is an open-source graphics editor used for creating images with a more scalable format. It is a cross-browser web-based tool driven by JavaScript. SVG-Edit allows users to directly create and manipulate the vector graphics online without installing any additional software. The SVG-Edit is supported by all the major browsers like Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Chrome, and Internet Explorer.
Lunacy
Platform: Windows
Download link: icons8.com/lunacy
At first, Lunacy was developed as a Sketch viewer for Windows, because the problem of opening .sketch files was always a nightmare for people who didn’t own Mac. But it’s quickly becoming a powerful tool on its own. With Lunacy, you can not only open .sketch files, but also perform multiple editing functions: organize pages and artboards, draw, join & align objects, and use typography.
Add to that export in PNG and SVG, support of CSS & XAML code and you’ll get a powerful vector editing tool without having to employ a bunch of crutches to make .sketch files work on Windows. A portable version comes as a bonus.
Pros:
- First fully-featured .sketch editor for Windows
- Constant updates
- Portable version
- Active development & support
Cons:
- Minor performance bugs
- Advanced features are yet to come
Inkscape
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Download link: inkscape.org
Inkscape is often called the GIMP of vector apps. It’s an open-source program with plenty of features that make you wonder why people aren’t selling it. And yet, it’s completely free. The app was released in 2003, and since then has become one of the most popular vector graphics software programs in the world. It’s available in 90 languages and across many platforms, including OS X and Linux.
The node workflow in Inkscape is similar to that of Adobe Illustrator and allows adding new nodes, as well as moving and editing them.
Helpful features like node aligning and symmetry are also available to use. Bezier curves and pencil tools work smoothly with graphic tablets, allowing users to create hand-drawn vector images of any complexity.
Inkscape also has image bitmap tracing, which is for converting rasterized images into vector paths. However, the feature is not as advanced as the one in Adobe Illustrator, and you may need some extra manipulations to make it work, or you’ll have to trace it manually.
Inkscape supports all popular formats, including SVG, EPS, JPG, PNG, PostScript and others.
The list of features the app has is beyond listing, and chances are it can do pretty much everything paid programs like Adobe Illustrator can do.
Full video tutorial here by Logos By Nick
At the very least Inkscape is nearly as good as Adobe Illustrator. Both programs share a very similar workflow and if you’re used to one of them, it makes it easier to make the switch. For logo designs and creating vector graphics, there won’t be much difference in whichever one of you use, apart from having an extra buck to spend on something else.
Tutorials: Inkscape’s website offers a wide variety of tutorials from beginner to advanced here. We also recommend Logos by Nick’s Youtube channel – it offers many excellent tips and workflows from a practicing designer.
Pros:
- Many features, solid AI alternative
- Works smoothly with tablets
- Multiple platforms (Linux included)
- Extensions
Cons:
- Rare performance issues with big files
- Some features are not intuitive – tutorials are needed
Vectr
Platform: Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Chrome OS, Web
Download link: vectr.com
Unlike Inkscape, Vectr is fresh blood in the yard. Which is good, because it means the development is shifted by industry demands, and not by the curse of bloatware.
This free vector art program was released just two years ago, but the pace of its development is truly magnificent. With all the features added recently, it’s hard to imagine what this product could be capable of in the future. However, developers are pressing that one thing stays unchanged – it will be forever free.
To compare Vectr and Inkscape is to make a great mistake – these two products are both in a league of their own. What Vectr lacks in features, it compensates for in intuitiveness. The learning curve on the program is non-existent: if you’re just starting in the design industry, you may be able to create your very first logo in five minutes after you start the program without having to skim through pages of tutorials.
Another advantage of the app is ubiquity – not only is it available on all popular platforms, but it also has a browser version with the same functionality as its desktop counterpart. That means you can work on your designs on your PC and then finish them in an internet cafe in the middle of nowhere.
The app allows all standard vector operations – creating and editing geometry shapes, curves, and paths. It supports multiple layers and pages, letting you organize your project. Vectr allows imports in AI, EPS, SVG, PNG, and JPEG file formats.
Another useful feature is the ability to share your projects simply by sending a URL to your colleagues, letting them view and edit it in a workflow similar to Google Docs. The development of full-scale collaboration with multiple people working on the same project simultaneously is currently underway, along with Marketplace and Versioning. You can literally watch the Vectr team’s backlog in the Open Roadmap.
Tutorials: vectr.com/tutorials
Pros:
- Cross-platform and browser versions
- Intuitive, easy to use interface
- Easy sharing of projects
- Integration with WordPress
Cons:
- Need to create an account
- Some people report crashes – the new features may be unstable
- Lacks advanced features
Conclusion:
Vector graphics are a great way to design any kind of drawing. There are many free vector graphics software for windows 7 that can help you with your designs. Unlike bitmap graphics which save images as a bunch of squares, vector graphics are actually a mathematical representation of the image allowing us to create the same image at any resolution.