Boxy SVG

Last updated

Boxy SVG
Developer(s) Jarosław Foksa
Initial releaseMarch 15, 2013;11 years ago (2013-03-15)
Stable release
4.49.0 / November 8, 2024;8 days ago (2024-11-08)
Written inJavaScript
Operating system Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS
Type Vector graphics editor
License Proprietary
Website Official website

Boxy SVG is a proprietary 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

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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.
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