Digital artists, designers, and vector illustrators might find interest in the recently released Inkscape 1.4.1, the latest version of the open-source graphics application. This update builds on the features introduced in the previous version, Inkscape 1.4, with various enhancements, bug fixes, and two new components.
One noteworthy update is the introduction of a new splash screen that appears when starting Inkscape. This feature, particularly beneficial for users on older or slower devices, provides feedback that the application is loading. Additionally, the welcome dialog now includes a ‘close’ button, allowing users to exit the app more intuitively if they no longer wish to use it.
Inkscape 1.4.1 also includes several usability enhancements, such as collapsible groups in more toolbars, enabling the application to function better on screens with lower resolutions. Moreover, various tools within Inkscape have undergone fixes, including improvements to the Calligraphy tool tooltips and adjustments to the Ellipse tool’s SVG attributes.
A significant enhancement is found in the Extensions > Modify Path > Clean up path tool, which now allows users to eliminate duplicate nodes and close paths efficiently, improving the overall editing process.
For Ubuntu users running the Inkscape snap, this update promises a more stable printing experience and ensures that files saved through the Export dialog are directed to the correct location.
Additional updates include enhanced support for Affinity Designer files, improved PDF import capabilities, updates to the guides dialog, and early support for importing Vectornator files. All these changes contribute to a notably improved user experience.
Users can download Inkscape for Linux, Windows, and macOS via the official website, while existing users can update accordingly. For Ubuntu users, Inkscape can be installed from the official Inkscape snap or through the official Inkscape PPA, which is compatible with Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and other systems based on it.
In summary, Inkscape 1.4.1 marks a solid update to this essential vector graphics tool, catering to the needs of artists and designers alike.
For more details, see the Inkscape 1.4.1 release notes. Users can download the software from the official Inkscape website and for Ubuntu users, the official Inkscape PPA can be added for installation.