Inkscape 0.48 Released

A new version of the free multi-platform vector graphics editor Inkscape has been released . In recent years, the bulk of changes in Inkscape has been implemented through participation in the Google Summer of Code program and collaboration with the Lyon Polytechnic, and this version was no exception. In addition, this time part of the work to improve the program was paid for by the user community itself through the LinuxFund organization.

The main changes in the new version are as follows:

• added a new Airbrush tool, spraying copies and clones of active selection;
• implemented simultaneous work with several contours (and their gradient fills);
• work with selected nodes is significantly simplified: the selection can be scaled, rotated, distorted;
• Redesigned typing tool: added superscript and subscripts, numerical control of kerning, tracking, etc .;
• sticking can now be done before starting drawing;
• about a dozen new extensions of effects were added, including cutting site layouts and creating presentations;
• as usual, a lot of errors were fixed.

It should be noted that despite the shorter preparation period for this version (nine months), work on the next one may be delayed again, since it is necessary to include in the main development branch the code of several Google Summer of Code projects this and last year, and then carefully test the result. Among these projects are porting object rendering to Cairo, which will give significant rendering acceleration (according to preliminary tests - from 50% and higher), as well as multi-threaded rendering of SVG filters. In addition, it is planned to implement rendering of SVG filters on OpenCL using cairo-gl.

A detailed illustrated review of Inkscape 0.48 can be found here . You can download assemblies for various systems from the program website .