Inkscape for Windows

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

Inkscape stores its graphics as vectors, which is a different format from raster (bitmap), graphics editors like Photoshop or Gimp. Vector graphics is a resolution-independent description of the actual shapes and objects that you see in the image. This information is used by rasterization engines to determine how to plot each curve and line at any zoom level or resolution.

Contrast this with bitmap (raster graphics), which is bound to a particular resolution and stores an image in a grid of pixels.

Inkscape can also import and display bitmap images. Imported bitmaps can be used as objects in vector graphics. You can move, transform, clip, and so on.

Although Inkscape doesn't have all the features found in the top vector editors, the latest versions offer a lot of basic vector graphics editing capabilities. Inkscape is used successfully by many people in a variety of projects, including web graphics, technical diagrams and icons, logos, and maps.