Hello,

I am completely new to using Inkscape and/or any other graphics software, ie, Coral Draw, Photoshop, etc. Is it worth it to me to start as a beginner with Inkscape or should I learn on another software program?

Welcome to InkscapeForum!

I might guess from your username that you're a seamstress, or tailor, or some kind of fiber artist. I learned how to sew at a very young age, but things are much more automated these days. My goodness, when I learned to sew, computers were science fiction!

Well anyway, I have no idea how much you may have learned about computer graphics. There are 2 general kinds -- raster and vector. (Often people call raster images "bitmaps", but others find it confusing, because there's an image file format called Bitmap.) There are many raster graphics editors out there, and several free ones. While they don't all work exactly the same way, they're usually fairly similar. So that if you learn how to use one raster editor, it wouldn't be very hard to transition to using another. At least that's my impression. I haven't used raster editors much. But I have tried out a few of them. That's before I discovered vector graphics. Once I found Inkscape, I never went back! It's just a hobby for though. I don't try to sell my artwork, or anything like that.....which doesn't mean Inkscape can't be used by professionals. Not at all!! Many people in this forum use Inkscape professionally.

Vector graphics is newer....or actually it might be more accurate to say it's becoming more popular lately, and there are comparatively fewer programs available. Here's the Wikipedia article on vector graphics, which will somewhat explain the difference (between raster and vector): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_graphics. And it's my impression is that vector editors are more dissimilar (to each other) (not to mention their price tag).

Since you've posted here, and Inkscape is a vector graphics editor, I might guess that you're interested in vector graphics? With vector graphics, it seems not to be as easy to transition from using one to another. In some cases, they work the same way, but use different words to describe the tools, features, etc. But some have tools and features that others don't have. And when I say this, it's not from personal experience. But we do get messages from people transitioning from Adobe Illustrator, and are frustrated because Inkscape works differently.

In the arts and crafts world, those cutter machines have become quite popular, and as far as I know, they all use vector graphics. For sewing, I think it probably depends on which kind you do. Not too long ago, a tailor posted some questions. He was using Inkscape to draw some patterns (for clothing). We've had a few people post who were looking to draw designs for embroidery and/or crewel canvasses. Inkscape or vector graphics would also be great for drawing guides for counted cross stitch designs, needlepoint, maybe even knitting. I can't remember the name, but my mom did some kind of fancy needlepoint.....I just can't remember the name. But it's using needlepoint canvas, except that there are all different kinds of stitches. Maybe like a needlepoint version of embroidery, I guess Anyway, Inkscape would be good for drawing the guide that comes with the instructions (i.e. on paper).

If you're looking to make designs to paint on canvasses for needlepoint, I think raster graphics might be better.

Anyway, whether you sew or not, you'll first need to figure out which kind of graphics program better suits your needs. If you decide on vector, I would suggest trying Inkscape for sure (since it's free). And I'm pretty sure there's a free trial version of Adobe Illustrator. Those are the 2 best vector editors, imo, but there are others. If one has a particular feature that you need, that the other doesn't have, that would make your decision. But if both have the features you need, in the end, it comes down to which one you're the most comfortable with. (A lot of people are really comfortable with "free", but I'm referring to the tools and how they work.)

As for raster editors, there one called The GIMP, which is excellent and free. I think there's another free one called Paint.NET, and another called Irfanview. I would say that Microsoft's Paint is a very general introduction to raster graphics.

So to summarize, I would say, find a program which has the features you need, learn how to use it, and stick with it

Thank you for your in depth comparisons of different programs and knowledge of these programs. I am actually in business as an Embroidery, Screen Print and Heat Seal Company, in business now for about 2 years. The main reason I am looking at graphics programs is because of our capability to create rhinestone, rhinestud and similar products for shirts. We call it "BLING". We love to to take photos, clipart and other files and create our own designs, which at this time we are using another company to do this for us. Vector is definitely the files we want to work with.

Secondly, if you have dowloaded INKSCAPE you know this, all of the additional bull that comes with this program scares me, the ads, the attempts to sell other products and all those other downloads that I think you have to download to get the Inkscape program. Is there a way to bypass that portion of the download? I tried declining all those add-ons and of course, then you can't download the inkscape program. Please let me know. Thx.

Absolutely you can bypass all that other crap, simply by downloading from inkscape.org (which redirects to Sourceforge). It sounds like you've downloaded something that was packed with who knows what all kind of garbage! (or maybe almost downloaded)

Get rid of whatever you might have installed! If you installed anything from there, then definitely, DEFINITELY update all your security programs, and run scans with everything you have! And then download Inkscape from the official source

Thank you brynn. I am pretty sure that Sourceforge is where I was. I did uninstall everything plus I declined all bogus downloads. I will also run security. My first thought was, oh, this is why it is a free download. They just add all this crap which sponsors them to cover their costs.

Oh no, Sourceforge does not add anything to Inkscape. Just to be clear, this is the page you need: http://downloads.sourceforge.net/inksca ... 48.2-1.exe (redirects to http://sourceforge.net/projects/inkscape/files/).

Maybe it was a spoofed sourceforge site?