Inkscape 1.3.1: A Stable and Improved Version of the Popular Vector Graphics Editor

Inkscape 1.3.1 is a maintenance and bugfix release that fixes many critical issues and adds two new features: snapping to grid intersections and splitting text into letters.

Inkscape is a free and open source vector graphics editor that allows you to create and edit scalable vector graphics (SVG) files. It has a rich set of features, such as drawing tools, filters, gradients, patterns, text, clones, paths, transformations, and more. Inkscape is widely used by designers, artists, illustrators, and hobbyists for various purposes, such as logos, icons, diagrams, maps, web graphics, and animations.

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In July 2023, Inkscape released its major version 1.3, which brought many fresh new features and functionality, such as shape builder, on-canvas pattern editing, pattern editor, page margin and bleed, document resources dialog, improved performance, and better PDF import.

Now, Inkscape has released its latest version 1.3.1, which is a maintenance and bugfix release that fixes more than 70 bugs and adds two new features: snapping to grid intersections and splitting text into letters. In this article, we will review the highlights of this release and show you how to get it.

Highlights of Inkscape 1.3.1

Inkscape 1.3.1 is a stable and improved version of Inkscape 1.3 that brings you fixes for many critical or irritating bugs, and even two new features. The most important fixes and changes in this release are:

• More than 30 crash/freeze fixes, many of which affected PDF import and Live Path Effects
• A new feature to disable snapping to grid lines, while still snapping to grid intersections
• A new feature to split text into its letters (characters), while keeping the kerning (letter distances) intact
• The Shape Builder tool now creates an appropriate number of nodes
• Activating a layer in the Layers dialog no longer requires you to double-click to enter the layer on the canvas to be able to work in it
• No more auto-expanding layers in the Layers dialog and improved behavior on deleting and moving layers
• Right-clicking now applies the change to the selected object, not whatever group it is in
• The Page tool’s size field no longer refuses to be edited
• Improved handle visibility with dark desk colors
• Multiple improvements for converting text objects to a path
• PDF files that could not be opened with Inkscape 1.3 can now be opened / imported again
• The English terms for Live Path Effects can now be searched for even if you use Inkscape in another language, so you can better follow tutorials
• On macOS and many current Linux distributions, gradient dithering is now available
• There exists a workaround that users can apply for the problem with the missing user interface fonts
• 3 fixes for extension bugs
• 16 improved user interface translations
• Some small updates for the included tutorials and the man page
• And almost 40 more bug fixes

How to Get Inkscape 1.3.1

If you want to try out the latest version of Inkscape, you can download it from the official website. You can choose from different platforms, such as Linux, Windows, macOS, and source archive. You can also check the release notes for more details and the full list of changes.

Alternatively, you can use the following commands to install Inkscape 1.3.1 on Ubuntu or Debian-based systems:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:inkscape.dev/stable
sudo apt update
sudo apt install inkscape

Conclusion

Inkscape 1.3.1 is a welcome update for Inkscape users, as it fixes many bugs and issues that affected the previous version. It also adds two new features that can enhance your workflow and creativity. If you are looking for a powerful and versatile vector graphics editor, you should give Inkscape a try. It is free, open source, and constantly improving.

SOURCE:

• Inkscape: Big, small release – Inkscape 1.3.1 is out!
• 9 to 5 Linux: Inkscape 1.3.1 Released with More Than 70 Bug Fixes and Two New Features

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