this post was submitted on 20 Sep 2026
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Inkscape needs help (programming.dev)
submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by Orwi@programming.dev to c/programming@programming.dev
53 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

The incoming version of Inkscape is a brilliantly engineered masterpiece designed to punch Adobe Illustrator in the face.

The scale of Inkscape 1.5 is hard to put into words.

  • A full port from GTK 3 to GTK 4
  • A new rendering engine
  • The Unified Font Browser becoming default,
  • Document Tabs being introduced,
  • Many long-standing issues finally being addressed,
  • New and changed dependencies across multiple target platforms.
  • UI/UX improvements

GTK 4 unlocks several possibilities, but it also exacts its own costs. This transition is definitely being felt in the amount and complexity of the work the developers have had to undertake.

Inkscape developers have been pouring their nights and weekends into 1.5 but they are currently feeling overwhelmed.

If you’re a C++ developer, particularly with graphics experience, Inkscape could use your help in pushing 1.5 forward.

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/work_items

Adobe has unlimited ressources. Inkscape relies on us

πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™

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[–] neversaydie@programming.dev 99 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Unfortunately I'm neither good with C++ nor with graphics, but Inkscape is a great piece of software, all the best to them

[–] grranibal@lemmy.zip 32 points 2 weeks ago

Same, I’m thankful for the work they are doing

[–] theherk@lemmy.world 65 points 2 weeks ago

Inkscape is one of the go-to best-in-class FOSS applications.

[–] MonkeMischief@lemmy.today 25 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

If you’re a C++ developer, particularly with graphics experience, Inkscape could use your help in pushing 1.5 forward. https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/work_items Adobe has unlimited resources. Inkscape relies on us

I definitely don't fit that criteria, but, we could always stand to pitch a few bucks towards our favorite open source projects to help them thrive! Even in these trying times, we could all skip 1 or 2 takeout coffees for this! :)

Edit: This header picture tho... adventurer has like 6 swords sticking up through him? This isn't slop, right? :( I'm looking really closely but I can't tell anymore.

[–] ztpq@slrpnk.net 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Yeah the monster's horns don't make any sense either and the arms are off too.

I'm gonna guess OP just took an existing image without looking too closely. It happens, unfortunately a lot nowadays with how the internet is being flooded.

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[–] bananabenana@lemmy.world 23 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

God I love Inkscape. One of my top pieces of software. I use it for scientific publications too

[–] mcv@lemmy.zip 4 points 2 weeks ago

I recently started using it for RPG maps. I tried using Krita at first, but it can't snap to a hex grid properly. I got very frustrated working on digital maps until I discovered Inkscape. It has a very different approach where you create individual hex polygons and clone them, but they snap perfectly and the workflow is far more convenient.

[–] maniacalmanicmania@aussie.zone 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

For layout or for something more scientific?

[–] bananabenana@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago

Layout + custom icons and diagrams. Explainer figures etc.

[–] Kangae_Hishiryo@scribe.disroot.org 17 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (3 children)

I'm not programmer but I'm music producer. I could create one song for them so they can make a video looking to reach more people. Also I can create some SFX for them, like for the UI, the splash screen, etc.

But I also feel insecure whether they'll welcome this or if I'll only add burden to them.

Any advice? I really want to start contributing to FOSS projects but at the same time I don't really feel prepared.

[–] hooferboof@lemmy.world 10 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Its hard to be totally prepared until you already have enough experience to know, if you show up and put in work and stick with it youd be shocked how quickly you become one of the "experts" propping the whole thing up πŸ˜‰

[–] Kangae_Hishiryo@scribe.disroot.org 2 points 2 weeks ago

It sounds reasonable. Thanks!

[–] crypt0cler1c@infosec.pub 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

It's open source just send it over or add it to the repository make a pull request. Worst case scenario, it gets ignored and you just did some practice.

[–] Kangae_Hishiryo@scribe.disroot.org 4 points 2 weeks ago

It's fair, and now that I think about it that way it's reasonable.

Thanks for the advice!

[–] MonkeMischief@lemmy.today 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Sounds fun! Like how OpenSUSE has music video parody songs :D

[–] Kangae_Hishiryo@scribe.disroot.org 2 points 2 weeks ago

Yeah yeah! I love these!!

[–] HerbGrower@slrpnk.net 15 points 2 weeks ago

I dont do much graphical stuff in general but inkscape (and gimp) has been nice to use when I have needed it.

[–] Koarnine@pawb.social 12 points 2 weeks ago

I love love love Inkscape, use it on a daily basis. This is so exciting, is there a way to donate perhaps?

[–] hanrahan@slrpnk.net 10 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

im no developer but am a casual Inkscape user, love it. What's the best way to chip in a few $ to help?

[–] lordziv@lemmy.nz 3 points 2 weeks ago

A lot of Open Source projects like this will usually have a sponsor button on their GitHub repo where you can choose an amount to give but I think you might need a GitHub account first :)

[–] pinchcramp@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 week ago

You can support Martin Owens who is one of the main Inkscape developers directly on Liberapay or Patreon. He has a YouTube channel where he does community outreach and talks about the work he's been doing.

I am not affiliated with the project, but I do have a recurring donation of a few bucks a month to him.

[–] spartanatreyu@programming.dev 7 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (4 children)

I love the idea of inkscape but can't get into it due to a continent sized papercut:

~~I can't put my cursor on part of the image then scroll to zoom in or out, not even holding a button while scrolling.~~

~~The only zoom it lets me do is drag a box on the screen (which is useless for fine details, or annoying when I only want to zoom in a few %), or zoom in/out by a large fixed amount then need to pan to find where I wanted to focus on in the first place.~~

~~I sure hope the new version fixes that.~~

Otherwise, I'm holding out for graphite

Edit: WTF? I disabled my computer's magnifier and I finally have a normal zoom in/out in inkscape.

Why did they set the shortcut to the default shortcut for magnifier?

And how do I change inkscape's shortcut?

[–] Nindelofocho@lemmy.world 9 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

That is weird ive always zoomed with i think ctrl+scrollwheel its almost my main way of navigation: zoom out from cursor move cursor where I want to zoom and then scroll back in

[–] spartanatreyu@programming.dev 3 points 2 weeks ago

Dude, you just helped me. I edited my original comment

[–] schnurrito@discuss.tchncs.de 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Not sure I understood your problem well and I don't have Inkscape in front of me right now, but I am pretty sure Ctrl+scrollwheel does zoom?!

[–] spartanatreyu@programming.dev 2 points 2 weeks ago

Dude, you just helped me. I edited my original comment

[–] vala@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

On my system (arch+gnome) the mouse wheel zooms the image.

[–] spartanatreyu@programming.dev 2 points 2 weeks ago

Dude, you just helped me. I edited my original comment

[–] Slashme@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I primarily zoom in incscape in two ways:

  1. Using the mouse - it zooms to mouse position, so control-scroll is brilliant - even for navigating: scroll out until you see where you want to go, put the mouse there and scroll in.

  2. Using the keyboard (this is incredibly powerful):

  • 3: Fit selected object in the window
  • 4: Fit all objects in the window
  • 5: Fit the page in the window
  • 6: Fit page width.
  • 1 and 2: I seldom use these, but they're for 50% zoom and 100% zoom.
    • and -: They zoom in and out.

So often, I'll click on an object, then press 3 to fit in in the window, and then hit - a few times to see the context better. Perfect.

[–] spartanatreyu@programming.dev 2 points 2 weeks ago

The keyboard shortcuts aren't good enough, but the mouse zoom wasn't working for me, I've updated my original comment

[–] pnwpixel@programming.dev 4 points 2 weeks ago

I'm doing my part on Mastodon to spread the word. If you're on there, boost my post or start up your own.

https://veganism.social/@mattwebbdev/117311062704363151

[–] MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)
  • A full port from GTK 3 to GTK 4

Uh oh. Will it work outside of Gnome? Menubar toggle-able?

Then again, the software itself isn't made by Gnome (unlike Gtk, and SimpleScan, Pavucontrol), so that's likely the case.

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 2 points 2 weeks ago

Toolkits don't limit where software will run, it can be used on any distro with any desktop environment.

[–] anarchy79@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

We have GTK4?

[–] ripcord@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

For 6 years now

[–] antianarchist@sopuli.xyz 4 points 2 weeks ago

Thanks for the info! Unfortunately I cannot help with the C++ part, but maybe I can improve something with the ci/cd/cs pipeline. Also I hope 1.5 is going to run smooth on linux with GTK4

[–] CoopaLoopa@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

I realize this is a FOSS post, but does anyone also use Affinity?

It's been my go-to for vectors and layouts. Not sure if there are other things that Inkscape does better.

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 11 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Affinity only works (easily) on Windows and Mac, from what I know it's difficult to get running on Linux.

Affinity was also bought out by a large investment company, so while it may be the better option now, it's virtually guaranteed to become just as enshittified as Adobe if they become popular. Only FLOSS protects us long-term.

[–] CoopaLoopa@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Yeah, I know it's owned by Canva.

They've added a bunch of AI stuff that's behind their subscription, but for at least the last year, the program has been getting regularly improved with the promise of an iPad app soonβ„’.

It will for sure turn to shit in the future, but is pretty good in its current state.

[–] PokerChips@programming.dev 7 points 2 weeks ago

I would assume that budding artists would have better time spent learning the techniques of a lasting open source tool like inkscape rather than a proprietary tool that will eventually disappoint you and waste your time.

[–] ilinamorato@lemmy.world 9 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I'm not willing to put all my eggs into another proprietary basket. Fool me six times...

[–] ICastFist@programming.dev 3 points 2 weeks ago

Fool me six times…

And the seventh becomes a meme, free of charge

[–] MonkeMischief@lemmy.today 2 points 2 weeks ago

Oooof I feel you so much on this. Getting rug-pulled by Substance Painter/Designer "jOiNiNg TeH aDoBe FaMiLy" right after I dropped like $200 bucks on it was enough to make me drop learning it and figure out every other way to do it instead.

Blender has caught up quite well, for the stuff I do.

I never want to invest time and money into some black box software just waiting to betray me like ever again.

[–] Symphonic@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

Yes, I use it regularly. And it's a very capable program. I use it in conjunction with GIMP.

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