Inkscape Vs. Xara

[geminiguy]

InkScape has the upper hand, only that it is constantly being developed by hundreds to thousands of contributers from all over the world... all who are not limited by the "one company / one goal / one mind" theory. And most who do not require to be paid for their contributions. (this is where the open-source community really shines through)
I guess we will have to see where the competitiveness goes now that Magix is involved? Will development of Xara lag behind, under the thought that Xara is good enough as it is? Or will they strive to out do InkScape?
It will be very interesting to see.

[handrawn]

I use both too - and would agree - it is not an either/or.

you should check out the 0.46 version Paul - currently in pre-release ['probably final'] 3 - there are some nice new tools

[remi]

I remember this thread with some links to video tutorials about Inkscape's new features.

Remi

[RedWombat]

I haven't checked out Inkscape in awhile. I did find that the ClipArt link on the Inkscape website goes to openclipart.org Perhaps you could use the clip art in Xara.

I found that OpenClipart has a 132mg download of public domain clip art if you want it. Some clipart can be tacky, and I have no idea what's in it, but here's the link: http://openclipart.org/media/downloads

[steve.ledger]

I've invested a lot of time in XaraXtreme. I've also invested money in buying it and using it to earn some dollars. I don't care much if there's an OpenSource alternative that will be updated (read: changed) often because I've made XaraXtreme my choice of drawing tools. CorelDraw, Illustrator and InkScape are all on my system which are used mostly as viewers and/or converters.
Free clipart is occassionaly useful, however often I need to produce something for a customer which is unique and is 100% relative to their business, so I can't use stock props that already exists.

[Egg Bramhill]

I can agree with much that your stating Steve. We've probably followed similar paths. But to be honest the last time I compared Xara with CorelDraw was back in the days of Corel Xara and CorelDraw (version whatever) Corel had a "standard" vector drawing of a barn in a winter setting. In Corel it took minitues to render whilst in Artwork it took seconds (I just couldn't believe the rendering time compared to an Acorn Archemedes). I've never used Corel or Adobe since then so it's probably an unfair comparison. Never tried InkScape though I kep intending too.

I don't feel I could fairly judge the differences/advantages etc between these programs as I favour XXP by way of familiarity and usage. I do have Illustrator on my machine but a lot like you I use it as a file convector.

My original choice to choose Xara was it's speed, it's UI and the transparency tools. I've yet to be convinced, even several years down the line, that I was wrong. But I'm open to persuasion.

[handrawn]

Availor asked 'which is best xara or inkscape' - as a user of both I shall reply: 'which is best a flat bladed screwdriver or a cross headed one' - the answer to both questions is the same

[GeoBen]

me too... but the others have caught on most of these things. Xara still has the fastest rendering on the block, so far as I know. but InkScape has grown fast. still a tad kludgy and nowhere near as fast as Xara, but dollar for dollar (ahem) Inkscape can't be beat or matched. it transparency controls are damn good and its tracer, as I have mentioned before, slays XaraTrace.

i have both. use xara for much the same reasons... that InkScape is catching doesn't equate to my changing my primary app, yet. BUT... Xara is getting slooooowwww in making REAL advances in drawing (as opposed to stuff like page layout) while Inkscape improves regularly.

Why for instance does Xara NOT have hierachical layers like every other major illustration/DigArt app? just insane... i often use 30 or more layers. sure would be nice if i could have only those i am working on taking up screen space.

anyway....
back to work
geo.

[Ponny]

I see, the last post is form 2008. I compared InksCape 0.48.5 and Xara page & Layout designer 11.
Inskcape is not the last versino. The last in 0.91. Should be 0.49, but developers change numbering method.

Well, both tools a good. But each has some interresant features. For example InksCape has better mapulating with snapping objects to grids, or guides, or other objects.

You can snapping object's bounding box corners, or edges, or midpoints, or centres. Or combination of all this.

You can snap many thing to paths, to nodes..... You can choose to snap only to cusp nodes or smooth nodes or both.....

And many more. That is all, I can remmember at this moment. You have complete control about snapping.
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In other hand, text tools in inkscape is very basic. Really basic. Inkscape is almost unusable for any more intensive text work.
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I have impression, the working with xara is easier than with inkscape. I can't explain this, but I have impression, the work with xara is a little bit faster and easier.

Aha, what I wish to see in inkscape? Importing xara files. But xara file format is closed, so this is just a dream for now. Aha, about Xara, I wish to see option to import full inkscape SVG to xara. Another dream, maybe?


Ponny