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Inkscape (Open Source, Freely Available)

Inkscape is a free, open-source graphics program for creating and editing images in a variety of formats suitable for print and web use.  Inkscape's features make it similar to Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and CorelDRAW.  A variety of free plugins also provide additional functionality.  To learn more about Inkscape, visit the Inkscape homepage.

What Can I Do With Inkscape? Inkscape is an open-source vector graphics editing program.  Unlike bitmap or raster graphics, which are bound to a specific resolution and will become pixelated or distorted if expanded, vector graphics are resolution-independent.  Thus, vector graphics can be scaled to any size or zoom level with no degradation in image quality.  Vector graphics are also smaller in file size than raster graphics.  Inkscape can be used to create images, as well as to edit both vector and raster graphics.

Inkscape's native format is Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), but it can also open most types of image files, including PDF, JPG, GIF, and PNG.  With the addition of free, downloadable extensions, Inkscape can also open PostScript, Sketch, CorelDRAW, and other proprietary image formats.  Inkscape can save as SVG, SVGZ, PDF, Postscript/EPS/EPSi,  LaTeX (*.tex), POVRay (*.pov), HPGL, and others.  For more information about formats Inkscape can import and export, see the Inkscape FAQ.