The Labs.Com Graphic Lab SVG Lab Sodipodi

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Scalable Vector Graphic Editor (SVG)

1. Introduction
2. Resources
3. Converters
4. Other Programs

There aren't many vector-based drawing programs available on the UNIX platform, at least not capable for doing decent art. Sodipodi has the potential to become the GIMP of vector-based drawing programs (status Oct 2001).

Most appealing is that all figures (text and graphs) are rendered anti-aliased on the screen, and alpha-channel is supported already. Procedural fill (gradients, fractal) are to be expected soon.

Features

SVG Import/Export: import and export of SVG. PostScript Export: print into file; speciality: text is rendered as polygones. PNG Export: drawing can be exported as PNG with proper alpha-channel

Sodipodi 2. Resources

Sodipodi @ Sourceforge.net Get the sourcecode

W3: SVG The definition (another one)

OpenDirector: SVG Links collection

sodipodi is available as FreeBSD port under /usr/ports/graphics/sodipodi.

Sodipodi 3. Converters

Batik @ xml.apache.org Viewer and converter to pixel-based images (requires java-1.2), unfortunatly SVG exported by sodipodi can't be converted (opacity not supported, status Oct 2001)

Sodipodi 4. Other Programs

There are other vector-based drawing programs worth to be mentioned:

TGIF Otherwise best known program, good for technical illustrations (exports a lot of formats: EPS, PS, GIF, PNG)

Sketch @ Sourceforge Another program, has many features e.g. text-rendering arround a path, requires python - exports PS correct (SVG export seems not complete yet, status Oct 2001)

                                                                                                                                   

SVG Lab