Karbon

Karbon

Karbon is a free vector graphics editor application for Linux. It allows users to create 2D graphics & illustrations, and offers features like a versatile toolset, SVG support, and broad file format compatibility.
Karbon image
vector graphics illustration drawing svg free open-source

Karbon: Free Vector Graphics Editor for Linux

A free vector graphics editor application for Linux offering 2D graphics & illustration tools with versatile toolset, SVG support and broad file format compatibility.

What is Karbon?

Karbon is a feature-rich vector graphics and illustration application designed for the Linux operating system. Developed by the KDE community and released under an open source license, it is free to download and use.

The software focuses on enabling users to produce 2D graphics, illustrations, drawings, diagrams, and typography. Its versatile toolkit allows both novice and professional designers and artists to bring creative visions to life with ease.

Key features include multiple fill, stroke, blend modes, and shape tools including lines, curves, rectangles, ellipses, stars, spirals, and arcs. Karbon supports advanced path operations like boolean, offset, trim, slice, and more. Documents can integrate raster images and color management is built-in.

Files are saved in SVG format by default, maintaining high resolution on zoom and maximal editing flexibility. Many other popular formats like PDF, PS, EPS, AI, WMF, EMF, PNG, and JPEG are supported for import and export as well.

Karbon represents an excellent free and open source option for vector drawing and illustration on Linux desktops and laptops. Its deep feature set caters to illustrators at all skill levels interested in an alternative to proprietary commercial packages.

Karbon Features

Features

  1. Vector graphics editor
  2. Versatile toolset for illustration, drawing & design
  3. Support for SVG, PDF, EPS, PS & ODG file formats
  4. Layers, grids & guides
  5. Bezier curves & gradient fills
  6. Text tool with font management
  7. Broad compatibility across Linux platforms

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Powerful feature set

Excellent SVG support

Cross-platform compatibility

Intuitive user interface

Cons

Limited native support on Windows & Mac

Less features than paid alternatives like Adobe Illustrator

Smaller user community than leading commercial tools


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