Boxy SVG

Last updated

Boxy SVG
Developer(s) Jarosław Foksa
Initial releaseMarch 15, 2013;10 years ago (2013-03-15)
Stable release
3.97.1 / January 24, 2023;12 months ago (2023-01-24)
Written inJavaScript
Operating system Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS
Type Vector graphics editor
License Proprietary
Website Official website

Boxy SVG is a vector graphics editor for creating illustrations, as well as logos, icons, and other elements of graphic design. It is primarily focused on editing drawings in the SVG file format. The program is available as both a web app and a desktop application for Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, and Linux-based operating systems.

Contents

History

Boxy SVG was originally designed for macOS and written in both Objective-C and CoffeeScript. The first version was published on 2013-03-15 on the Mac App Store.

The second version, released on 2014-08-01, was a complete rewrite in JavaScript and Electron to make the application work as both a web app in a browser and a regular desktop application.

The third major release (2017-06-06) introduced a new user interface based on Xel, an HTML5 widget toolkit.

Afterwards, the developers switched to a shorter release cycle, with new versions rolled out every 1 or 2 months.

Platforms and requirements

Boxy SVG is available on multiple platforms.

PlatformDistribution methodRequirements
macOSMac App StoremacOS 10.10 (Yosemite) or later
WindowsMicrosoft StoreWindows 10 version 1607 (Anniversary Update) or later
ChromeOSChrome Web StoreLatest stable version of ChromeOS
LinuxSnap Store
Flathub
A distribution with Snap package manager or Flatpak installed
WebonlineChromium-based browser such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Vivaldi or Opera. Can also be installed as a progressive web application.

Devices support

Boxy SVG is compatible with Apple desktop computers and laptops, touchscreen-based devices such as Google Pixelbook and Microsoft Surface.

The program is partially compatible with mobile devices running Android. The device must be able to run the latest stable version of Google Chrome, only saving files to the cloud storage is available. It is not compatible with Apple mobile devices like iPad because of the dependency on the Chromium engine.

The program also has basic support for graphics tablets such as those manufactured by Wacom.

Compatibility

The program uses SVG and SVGZ (zlib compressed version) as its native file formats. [1] Some elements are in program's own namespace to either extend the feature set beyond what's available in the W3C SVG specification or provide a convenience layer for low-level details. Boxy SVG can also open SVG files authored with Inkscape and Adobe Illustrator, all software-specific elements and attributes will be dropped.

The application is based on the Electron framework and thus supports the same subset of the SVG format as Chromium-based web browsers such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera. A major exception is the lack of support for animation.

Boxy SVG reads and writes PNG, JPEG, WebP, GIF, and PDF files, and reads Adobe Illustrator documents saved with the PDF compatibility mode on. [2] Additionally, it can export HTML files.

Features

Licensing

Boxy SVG is proprietary software. The web version is available under the subscription model with an option for team licensing. Desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS are distributed under a perpetual license. The version for Linux is free and has all features of its macOS and Windows counterparts.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adobe Flash</span> Deprecated multimedia platform used to add animation and interactivity to websites

Adobe Flash is, except in China, a discontinued multimedia software platform used for production of animations, rich internet applications, desktop applications, mobile apps, mobile games, and embedded web browser video players.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adobe Photoshop</span> Raster graphics editing software

Adobe Photoshop is a raster graphics editor developed and published by Adobe Inc. for Windows and macOS. It was originally created in 1987 by Thomas and John Knoll. Since then, the software has become the most used tool for professional digital art, especially in raster graphics editing. The software's name is often colloquially used as a verb although Adobe discourages such use.

Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is an XML-based vector image format for defining two-dimensional graphics, having support for interactivity and animation. The SVG specification is an open standard developed by the World Wide Web Consortium since 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adobe Illustrator</span> Vector graphics editor from Adobe Inc.

Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor and design program developed and marketed by Adobe Inc. Originally designed for the Apple Macintosh, development of Adobe Illustrator began in 1985. Along with Creative Cloud, Illustrator CC was released. The latest version, Illustrator 2024, was released on October 10, 2023, and is the 28th generation in the product line. Adobe Illustrator was reviewed as the best vector graphics editing program in 2021 by hp

OpenType is a format for scalable computer fonts. Derived from TrueType, it retains TrueType's basic structure but adds many intricate data structures for describing typographic behavior. OpenType is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inkscape</span> Vector graphics editor

Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor for traditional Unix-compatible systems such as GNU/Linux, BSD derivatives and Illumos, as well as Windows and macOS. It offers a rich set of features and is widely used for both artistic and technical illustrations such as cartoons, clip art, logos, typography, diagramming and flowcharting. It uses vector graphics to allow for sharp printouts and renderings at unlimited resolution and is not bound to a fixed number of pixels like raster graphics. Inkscape uses the standardized Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format as its main format, which is supported by many other applications including web browsers. It can import and export various other file formats, including SVG, AI, EPS, PDF, PS and PNG.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">OmniGraffle</span> Diagramming and digital illustration application

OmniGraffle is a diagramming and digital illustration application for macOS and iOS created by The Omni Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ArtRage</span> Bitmap graphics editor by Ambient Design Ltd.

ArtRage is a bitmap graphics editor for digital painting created by Ambient Design Ltd. It is currently in version 6, and supports Windows, macOS and mobile Apple and Android devices and is available in multiple languages. It caters to all ages and skill levels, from children to professional artists. ArtRage 5 was announced in January 2017 and released in February 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corel Photo-Paint</span> Raster graphics editing software

Corel Photo-Paint is a raster graphics editor developed and marketed by Corel since 1992. Corel markets the software for Windows and Mac OS operating systems, previously having marketed versions for Linux. Its primary market competitor is Adobe Photoshop.

Cairo (graphics) Vector graphics-based software library

Cairo is an open-source graphics library that provides a vector graphics-based, device-independent API for software developers. It provides primitives for two-dimensional drawing across a number of different back ends. Cairo uses hardware acceleration when available.

A number of vector graphics editors exist for various platforms. Potential users of these editors will make a comparison of vector graphics editors based on factors such as the availability for the user's platform, the software license, the feature set, the merits of the user interface (UI) and the focus of the program. Some programs are more suitable for artistic work while others are better for technical drawings. Another important factor is the application's support of various vector and bitmap image formats for import and export.

Resolution independence is where elements on a computer screen are rendered at sizes independent from the pixel grid, resulting in a graphical user interface that is displayed at a consistent physical size, regardless of the resolution of the screen.

Serif have a range of software products, which are listed below.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CorelDRAW</span> Vector graphics editor

CorelDRAW is a vector graphics editor developed and marketed by Alludo. It is also the name of the Corel graphics suite, which includes the bitmap-image editor Corel Photo-Paint as well as other graphics-related programs. It can serve as a digital painting platform, desktop publishing suite, and is commonly used for production art in signmaking, vinyl and laser cutting and engraving, print-on-demand and other industry processes. Reduced-feature Standard and Essentials versions are also offered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adobe FreeHand</span> Discontinued graphics software

Adobe FreeHand is a discontinued computer application for creating two-dimensional vector graphics oriented primarily to professional illustration, desktop publishing and content creation for the Web. FreeHand was similar in scope, intended market, and functionality to Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW and Xara Designer Pro. Because of FreeHand's dedicated page layout and text control features, it also compares to Adobe InDesign and QuarkXPress. Professions using FreeHand include graphic design, illustration, cartography, fashion and textile design, product design, architects, scientific research, and multimedia production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PhotoLine</span> Raster and vector graphics editor

PhotoLine is a graphics editor for Windows, MacOS X and Linux/WINE. Its capabilities include 16 bits of color depth full-color or management, support of RGB, CMYK, and Lab color models, layer support, and non-destructive image manipulation. We can use it for desktop publishing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Affinity Designer</span> Vector graphics editor

Affinity Designer is a vector graphics editor developed by Serif for macOS, iPadOS, and Microsoft Windows. It is part of the "Affinity trinity" alongside Affinity Photo and Affinity Publisher. Affinity Designer is available for purchase directly from the company website and in the Mac App Store, iOS App Store, and the Microsoft Store.

The implementation of emojis on different platforms took place across a three-decade period, starting in the 1990s. Today, the exact appearance of emoji is not prescribed but can vary between fonts and platforms, much like different typefaces.

References

  1. "The best free Adobe Illustrator alternative". TechRadar. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  2. "The 14 Best Adobe Illustrator Alternatives (+ Free Tools)". AppSumo. February 26, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  3. "Boxy SVG Tutorial: How to Create a Custom Folder Icon". MakeTechEasier. May 16, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  4. "Boxy SVG: A Fast, Simple, Insanely Useful, FREE SVG Editor". SitePoint. April 21, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  5. "Full support for filters added". BoxySVG. Retrieved August 31, 2020.