Vector graphics are growing in popularity, and for a good reason. There’s a lot of choice when it comes to software that you can use to create vector graphics yourself. Below I’ve listed a few free software options that you can use to create vector images yourself or use them as inspiration.
With the prevalence of digital artwork, vector graphics creation is more important than ever. Vector graphics are needed for creating logos, icons, website design, business card design and many other uses. There are many free software options to help you create vector graphics.
Inkscape
If you are looking for powerful and free vector graphics software, then Inkscape is an ideal choice for you. For Linux, Windows, and macOS, this app works as a professional vector graphics editor.
The interface of this software is transparent, stable, and consistent. The users get various tooltips along with useful information from this versatile and flexible software. Design professionals and hobbyists create a wide variety of graphics like icons, logos, illustrations, maps, diagrams, and web graphics from this open-source vector drawing tool.
With the add-ons feature, the users can customize the functionality of this tool. The graphic designers will find it a hugely adaptable and excellent tool.
This tool produces highly professional vector graphics documents. You will find a fast and easy interface.
(Source:Inkscape)
Highlights:
- Import/Export- It can import and export various file formats that include SVG, AI, PDF, PS, PNG, and EPS.
- Object Creation- It provides various tools for drawing and shapes. You will get embedded bitmaps, text tool, and clones.
- Object manipulation- It works on transformations, Z-order operations that include raising and lowering, grouping objects, layers, and alignment and distribution commands.
- Fill and stroke – You will get color selector, color picker tool, copy/paste style, pattern fills, path makers, dashed strokes, and the gradient editor.
- File formats – It follows SVG format file generation and editing. For export and conversions, it commands line options.
- Create and edits- You can create and edit graphics, logos, diagrams, cartoons, and illustrations that you can scale to a larger or smaller size.
- Vector images – You can convert slogans and easy designs into vector images. You will find the method easy and fast.
Krita
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Krita is an open-source graphics editor that has historically specialized in raster graphics editing. However, an update in Krita 4.0 meant that it’s had an overhaul of the vector tools at its disposal and has become a pretty handy app for the creation of vector graphics.
You can create vector layers, draw all kinds of special shapes, and use the calligraphy and text tool to make more bespoke vectors resembling brush strokes and other fine shapes.
A big part of Krita’s recent development has been its move from the ODG to the more popular SVG file format, which makes it much more versatile for importing and exporting vector graphics.
Boxy SVG
Platforms: Web app, macOS, Linux, Chrome
Boxy SVG may not be a terribly complex app with a ton of tools and tweaks for you to make, but that’s its strength. It’s very simple to use and can be either downloaded as a desktop app or used through your browser.
You’ll find all the drawing tools you need to create elegant vector images using pens, shapes, curves and text. If you want to dig a bit deeper, there are also various options based around typography, geometry, masks, and (crucially) the option to export your SVGs in other formats.
With its sparing and non-overwhelming amount of options and UI elements, BoxySVG is a great lightweight tool if you want to get straight into making vectors with minimal messing around.
YouiDraw
YouiDraw is the open-source vector graphics software that provides a variety of customizable textured brushes to the users. This free vector drawing tool offers modern tools like a pencil for the plain line or sketchy and different color options.
With different color and border size, users can shape new text. This tool is easy to use, very convenient and simple online drawing tool. Its logo design includes lots of features like quick styles, freehand logo tools, graphic templates, and vector logo effects.
The typical users of this software are Startups, agencies, enterprises, and SMEs. It works on HTML5 canvas with Google Drive. Anywhere or anytime, you can access your work. You will find this tool a powerful vector graphic design solution on the web. In various environments, you can express your style and creativity. The software can be integrated with almost all web applications.
Highlights:
- Drawing- It serves as a powerful vector graphic design solution on the web. You can express your style and creativity with this feature.
- Logo Creator- It creates high-quality vector graphics, icons, website elements, HTML5 logos, and buttons.
- Painter- You can work with dozens of customizable brushes, paper textures that seem to be real.
- Template & Style – The different styles and templates graphics will help in improving work efficiency. You will enjoy gradient, simple, and artistic styles.
- Tools- To point edit mode, straight line and curve arc, you can use a pen, pencil, brush, and switch elements.
- Text and shapes- With text button, you can create a shape into canvas, rectangle, ellipse, convex, concave, gear, round-corner rectangle.
- Transform- You can change the size, scale, and position, rotate, skew for the desired shape or text.
- Shape combine- It holds five different combine mode: Union, Intersect, Exclude, divide, and subtract.
Synfig Studio
Synfig Studio is powerful 2D animation open-source vector graphics software. It works with high dynamic range imaging. You will find that it holds the ability to design the animation in the front-end and at a later time render it with the backend.
With less resources and people, it supports a multitude of layers of different types. You can apply real-time effects to layers or a group of layers. This free vector graphics tool allows experienced animators to create high-quality animations.
You can apply gradients, geometric, fractal, distortions, filters, fractal, and transformation to your animations as it supports a multitude of layers. You can enjoy fast and efficient animation with this app.
(Source: Synfig Studio)
Highlights:
- Vector Tweening- It provides powerful tools to have full control of your vector artwork. Automatically, it calculates in-between frames.
- Layers and filters- It offers 50+ layers to create artwork and animation. You can choose from various layer types like geometric, filters, gradients, distortions, transformations, and fractals.
- Bones – With bitmap images, you can create pattern images. The bone system allows you to control your vector artwork.
- Advanced Controls- You can create sophisticated character puppets and other types of dynamic structures. Directly or through mathematical expressions, you can link parameters of various layers.
- Cross Platforms- It is a cross-platform that works on Windows, OS X, Mac, and Linux.
- Sound support- You can sync sounds music and narration to your videos with this feature.
JumpStory
Key benefits of using JumpStory
Images – Search authentic & high-performing photos
Videos – Find inspiring and high-resolution videos
Illustrations – Search great illustrations & backgrounds
Vectors – Find flexible vectors for your project
Icons – Search for professional icons
Simple license – International standard license on all images
Unlimited – Search & use as much as you want
Image archive – Store the images you like and access them later
Daily updates – New sources are added daily
Background removal – Automatic background removal with one click
Image editor – Crop, resize, add text, adjust contrast etc.
Many formats – All common formats and free image converter.
Conclusion:
Vector graphics may look advanced but in reality the concept can be understood by any beginner. Vector graphics is essentially a drawing that uses mathematical formulae to represent lines instead of dots. Vector graphics have become, in my opinion, the best way to learn software to create vector images. Learning vector graphics has been a hugely valuable skill for me throughout my career. I’ve found that vector art is much more portable and can be maintained much easier than raster images.