Four drawing programs
Excellent
All of these tools support exporting to PNG format and to lossless scalable SVG files. Those who want to embed drawings in HTML documents will benefit from the fact that the W3C standard for SVG [5] includes effect filters as well as basic shapes. You can, for example, create soft drop shadows in Inkscape or Karbon. When saving, Inkscape users should be sure to select the Plain SVG format, which cuts a better figure in the browser than the native Inkscape SVG.
Inkscape is without a doubt the most powerful drawing program in the test (Table 1). Over the years the developers have implemented many features. For example, it's possible to insert kinks into otherwise smooth Bezier curves in a quick and effortless way that not even professional programs like Adobe Illustrator achieve. However, the numerous functions extend the learning curve.
Table 1
Features at a Glance
| Inkscape | Calligra Karbon | LibreOffice Draw | sK1 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Learning curve |
Steep, but good manual |
Unconventional, documentation missing |
Medium |
Flat |
Circles/ellipses/arcs |
+ |
++ |
+ |
+ |
Edge rounding |
++ (Asymmetrical too) |
++ (Asymmetrical too) |
+ |
+ |
Freehand curves |
++ (Automatic and subsequent smoothing) |
– |
– (Smoothing factor not adjustable) |
– |
Bezier curves |
++ (Pointy nodes directly when drawing) |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Grid lock |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Object snap |
++ (But difficult to operate) |
– |
+ |
+ |
Aligning/distributing |
++ |
– (Only aligning) |
+ |
– (Only aligning) |
Shape templates |
– |
+ |
++ |
– |
Object connectors (flow diagrams) |
+ |
– |
++ |
– |
Clip art |
+ (Search for open clip art) |
– |
++ (Installed) |
– |
Multiple-page documents |
– |
– |
+ |
+ |
CMYK colors (offset printing) |
+ |
– |
– |
+ |
Export/Import |
||||
Read bitmaps |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Write bitmaps |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Read SVG |
++ (Understands many SVG filter effects) |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Write SVG |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Read PDF |
+ |
– (Artifacts when importing) |
+ |
– |
Write PDF |
+ |
+ |
++ (Compression settings) |
+ |
If you want to sketch something quickly, however, you should turn to one of the less bloated applications. Karbon, like LibreOffice Draw, provides prebuilt shape templates, but there are far fewer of them. Instead, the KDE program scores points with a powerful freehand tool. Exchanging data with other Calligra components works well. Some deductions in scoring were made because of the inadequate documentation.
Draw impresses with a wealth of ready-made templates that leave nothing to be desired. Additionally, users can customize most templates to suit their own needs. The software is better suited than other candidates for flowcharts and pie charts – optionally with a sophisticated 3D look. Drawings created with Draw can migrate to other LibreOffice modules without a detour and without exporting. Anyone using the free office package for documentation should take a look at the drawing components.
sK1 is the leanest program in the test and is suitable for anyone who just wants to sketch or draw something quickly. It is a shame that the clear and handy software does not provide a freehand drawing tool, because drawing is often more intuitive with such a tool than with Bezier curves.
Infos
- Inkscape: https://inkscape.org
- Calligra Karbon: https://www.calligra.org/karbon
- LibreOffice Draw: https://www.libreoffice.org/discover/draw
- sK1: http://sk1project.org
- W3C to scalable vector graphics: http://www.w3.org/TR/SVG
« Previous 1 2 3 4
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs