has anyone used inkscape?

Hi,

I'm trying to avoid buying illustrator because its £600 pounds, which is incredibly expensive. We only need it for occasional use (we're a fashion company and we need it to design cutting patterns and stuff like that), i'm wondering if anyone has used inkscape, and if its almost as good as illustrator? also, what about compatibility, do illustrator files open properly, and vice versa?

thanks in advance

 

I have no idea if it's compatible with Illustrator, but I really like the program. I just do basic vector art with it though, no serious design work that would require exact measurements.

 

the samples etc look damn impressive, measurements etc would be very important since we'd be using it to create the master paper patterns for cutting patterns for the dresses/suits.

 

Have you consider the much cheaper coreldraw, or better yet (for the purpose you mentioned) Xara Xtreme?

 

why do you say xara xtreme is better for the purpose i'm using it for?

 

It's easy to use, it does what you wanted to do with it i.e. create label, and print it. Illustrator and even Coreldraw are created for what you wanted to do and then some other things.

 

and your opinion is both corel draw and xara xtreme would be better options than inkscape?

 

the only way to know is to try them. yourself.

 

@afhstingray: Seconded. Inkscape is free... why not try it and see if it meets your needs? If not, then start trying the other software. Nobody here can tell you what will fit your needs better than you can.

 

there in lies the problem. i wont be using it. i'm in the process of hiring someone, most of the candidates use illustrator. i personally have no clue abotu these software as i'm not into the design field, so was hoping that someone here has used them and could give recommendations.

 

if you yourself 'have no clue' then you shouldn't be trying to pre-define the tools that someone else should be using.

If you don't care, then let your designer use the tools that THEY are happy with.

If the designer is either incompetent or untrustworthy, then you shouldn't be hiring them.

 

the issue is money though, right?

i've used inkscape, its pretty good.
Its sort of like the gimp.
You could probably make someone use it, I would say that it shouldnt be a problem. and if it is a problem then that shows something about your designers' willingness to learn new things.

It works a lot like illustrator I think (illustrator being the one I cant remember as well) but it doesn't save in the adobe format. It uses more standardized .SVG images which illustrator should be able to open.
I think all the measurements are pretty exact.

 

If most of them use Illustrator, then it's even better. Just hire someone (who's qualified, from their portfolio) who has experience with other free or cheaper software, whether that's Inkscape, or Xara, or CorelDraw or what ever you're willing to pay.

I personally have no experience what so ever with Inkscape, and it could be good enough for the task. But I've used CorelDraw and Xara, and I can tell you that if all I wanted to do is draw and design, and print (although printing is a problem from what I've heard if you're using non-standard software i.e. Illustrator, but if you have your own printer then no problem here), then Xara is good enough and I wouldn't have purchased CorelDraw.

 

firstly, if they were paying for the tools, i wouldnt have a problem with that. secondly, i'm not here looking for hiring advice. if you have some useful input regarding the capabilities of inkscape vs illustrator, would be very grateful.

i know what needs to be done, i'm seeking advice on the software tools we could use to get the job done.

special thanks to niffcreature for providing great advice. +rep