Inkscape is a good freeware vector too especially if you are after versatility and simplicity of a verctor tool. Inkscape is the perfec t alternative to other more complicated vector software like Adobe Illustrator. I'm just so happy that they made a Mac version of this software so I can also enjoy all the benefits Inkscape gives to its users, More. There are many alternatives to Inkscape for Mac if you are looking to replace it. The most popular Mac alternative is Vectornator, which is free.If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Inkscape and loads of them are available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement.
Inkscape version 1.0.1 patches crashes & bugs
Sept. 6, 2020
Inkscape's team of developers has patched bugs and crashes, and generally improved on version 1.0 in this latest release, version 1.0.1. You'll find a few features, too, along with translation updates for more than a dozen languages.
Built with the power of a team of mostly volunteers, this open source vector editor represents the work of many hearts and hands from around the world, ensuring that Inkscape remains available free for everyone to download and enjoy.
Inkscape 0.92.4 is currently available via MacPorts only, both as an X11 build and as a native Quartz build. The native Quartz build can potentially be less stable, and less well integrated into the desktop environment (e.g. for copy-pasting).
We suggest sticking with the X11 build for the time being until Inkscape has fully made the transition to go native on macOS. The instructions below are for the X11 build.
Prerequisites
MacPorts requires a working installation of Xcode and its commandline tools, so install this first. You are good to go if running gcc --version in Terminal gives some meaningful output.
We strongly encourage installing MacPorts via the binary installers (*.pkg) offered on their website. They install MacPorts into the default location (/opt/local/bin) and also configure important things like binary repositories so it can use pre-compiled packages and not compile everything itself when you install new software. This does not only save you valuable time but also avoids some issues/hickups that occur if MacPorts builds everything from source.
We also encourage the installation of Xorg via MacPorts and not the (outdated) version supplied by https://www.xquartz.org.
Installation
macOS 10.13 High Sierra
sudo port install inkscape
sudo port install xorg-server
If you want Inkscape to show up in your Applications folder:
ln -s /opt/local/bin/inkscape /Applications/Inkscape # not pretty, but worksmacOS 10.14 Mojave
sudo port install inkscape
sudo port install xorg-serverPlease logout of your Desktop and back in after having installed xorg-server.
How To Get Inkscape On Mac
If the installation of xorg-server fails, complaining about mkfontdir vs mkfontscale, this is a quick & dirty fix:
# remove xorg-fonts from portfile
sudo sed -i ' '/port:xorg-fonts/d' /opt/local/var/macports/sources/rsync.macports.org/macports/release/tarballs/ports/x11/xorg-server/Portfile sudo port install xorg-server # continue installation
If you want Inkscape to show up in your Applications folder:
ln -s /opt/local/bin/inkscape /Applications/Inkscape # not pretty, but works(10.4 (Tiger) to 10.12 (Sierra) are not supported.)
The MacPorts Inkscape builds are provided by MacPorts. If you encounter issues with installing via MacPorts, please contact them via their their bugtracker.
FAQ
Why do I get the message 'Nothing to do!' from Inkscape?
- You have installed Inkscape but not Xorg.
- You have not logged out and back in to your Desktop after having installed Xorg.
How can I launch Inkscape with Finder?
Since there is no application bundle you have to launch the main binary directly. You can either run /opt/local/bin/inkscape form Terminal, navigate with Finder to /opt/local/bin and double click on inkscape or create a symlink for you own convenience to have it appear in your Applications folder (ln -s /opt/local/bin/inkscape /Applications/Inkscape).
Why is MacPorts compiling everything?
The ability to use pre-compiled packages depends on the default installation path (/opt/local/bin) and MacPorts being configured to use binary packages if available. Both things are taken care of for you when using the *.pkg installers. Consult the MacPorts documentation for more info.
How To Get Inkscape For Mac
Why does Inkscape look like a Windows 95 app?
What you're seeing is the default GTK theme/engine. You can change the theme, e.g.
sudo port install gtk2-aurora
sudo port install gtk-chtheme
gtk-chthemeand the next time you run Inkscape, it should have a different look.
Inkscape needs your help. Every user who can contribute to Inkscape's development is investing in the future of the project. Donations allow us to do so much within the project to continue providing you with new releases of Inkscape with better features and bug fixes.