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Inkscape and GIMP?  

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Eds_3D_Odyssey
(@eds_3d_odyssey)
Trusted Member
Inkscape and GIMP?

I’ve been using Affinity Photo and Designer for years. Affinity was bought by Canva and I don’t like the changes their making. So I’m looking for new photo and vector editing software.

I’m a big fan of Blender so I like that Inkscape and GIMP are both open source but are they any good? What do you guys think of them?

If you like them what are some of your favorite YouTube videos?

Thanks

https://www.printables.com/@Eds3dOdyssey
Posted : 01/02/2026 1:12 pm
mnentwig
(@mnentwig)
Reputable Member
RE:

I'm using Inkscape and GIMP for two decades now (not artistically but also not just "for fun"). Not sure whether they are any good but in no hurry to decide. 

Consider it a long term investment: concepts you figure out and internalize now will still be there at your disposal a decade down the road or two, when you suddenly need them (if only to put two plots with different axes on top of each other quick and dirty and interpolated-pixel-accurate - real world example)

Probably there is a valid reason for modern software to re-invent itself every five-and-a-half months, other than grabbing money from customers' pockets for updates, training and what comes with it. Probably, and I just don't see it 🙂 

The same reasoning goes for buying Prusa BTW, rather plan for a decade perfecting one tool than starting from (near)-scratch learning the quirks of a new and shinier one every year... ("game changers" may happen though - INDX, convince me...)

This post was modified 8 hours ago 2 times by mnentwig
Posted : 01/02/2026 2:21 pm
1 people liked
Eds_3D_Odyssey
(@eds_3d_odyssey)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Inkscape and GIMP?

Blender taught me the value of open source.

Right now Affinity is free. If you want to use any of Canva you have to pay monthly. You know whats going to happen over time all the new stuff is going to be part of Canva. I’m getting out now!!

https://www.printables.com/@Eds3dOdyssey
Posted : 01/02/2026 2:53 pm
1 people liked
mnentwig
(@mnentwig)
Reputable Member
RE:

It's a common tune to the industry. Proficient users of a "courtesy"-free version of a commercial tool are an asset with a $ value ($$$ to $$$$, occasionally $$$$$). 

Get reaped...

For an example, ask "Eagle" (which used to be a superficially free two-layer Eurocard PCB design tool) users whether it wouldn't have been wiser to use the last few years of their worktime to get into KiCAD... Matlab and Mathematica ... 'cuse me HOW MUCH exactly for a license? (lucky guy who got into Octave and Maxima instead when there was still time to learn...)

This post was modified 7 hours ago 2 times by mnentwig
Posted : 01/02/2026 3:03 pm
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