I'd like to try a developer version of inkscape (https://drive.google.com/folderview?id= ... sp=sharing)

however I'm not sure I want to do so at the risk of not being able to open my current inkscape files.

Can I download the developmental version and still keep my regular one?

[Also, on that developmental page I linked to, how do I know which one to download, were I do download one...?]

thanks
a

Hi

I do this all the time.
I am on win7.
To make the switches between versions easy I install the 'official' version (present 0.48-4) to c:\Graphics\Inkscape
(I do not install to the default directory, this is the only version I install - all the dev versions will be copied.)

When I want to try a new version I use explorer and enter c:\graphics, I rightclick the Inkscape directory and do a copy and paste.
(This only needs to be done once - for the first dev version copy.)
I then rename the copy_of_inkscape directory to Inkscape_48_4
(This only needs to be done once.)

I then unpack the zipped developer file (7z extension) in my d:\downloads\Inkscape directory
The files will be in directory d:\downloads\Inkscape\inkscape-0.48-devel.r13401.20140528 (latest dev version)
I enter this directory and do a copy (Ctrl-C) of the inkscape directory.
Then I switch to the c:\graphics directory and do a paste (Ctrl-V), I get three warnings from explorer about that the directory
already exists, confirm replace etc - I just copy and replace all files and directories. See Dialogs below;
(Note that I 'tick' the 'Do this for the next 77 conflicts' and 'Do this for all current items' tick boxes.)





After the copy is finished - when I start Inkscape I now get the developer version.

If for some reason I want to revert to the official version I just exit Inkscape
and rename the c:\Graphics\Inkscape directory to c:\Graphics\Inkscape_dev_13401,
then I rename the C:\Graphics\Inkscape_48_4 directory to C:\Graphics\Inkscape

When I then start Inkscape the 'official' version will be used.

Switching back and forth is done in less than a minute.
The 'beauty' of this 'method' is that all your default settings and installed extensions 'survive' the copy/rename operation,
I never have to worry about copying the extensions afterward,
having said that - I keep all my 'Important' extensions in my user directory - 'C:\Users\Ragnar\AppData\Roaming\inkscape\extensions'.

To find the 'correct' file in 'your' location switch to 'list view' (Icon on the right) and select the newest file - currently
inkscape-0.48-devel.r13401.20140528.7z
Just clicking the file will start the download (you get two warnings from Google about the file size being too large for virus check - download anyway!)

Good Luck
RGDS
Ragnar

Hi Ragnar,
thank you for this very detailed explanation. I really appreciate it.
It seems, however, that you may be more comfortable renaming/moving files than I am. For me, this method may take a lot of time and ultimately it's not worth it if the developer version of inkscape doesn't offer much more than the regular one.

From what I can tell, the developer one offers the ability to "swap" locations of objects. Do you know if it does anything else the regular version doesn't?

Thank you again for your response - I didn't expect someone to be so thorough.
best
a