This allows you to set a default “calibration” zoom for projecting patterns. Inkscape now has a zoom correction factor in the preference menu. For this reason, if you use Inkscape and still want layers, you should project directly from Inkscape! 6. Inkscape still does not export layers in PDFs. However, I have found that layers are still frequently imported with random letters and numbers rather than the named size layers you would find on patterns opened in Adobe Acrobat reader. Layers can be accessed through the layers studio panel.

Since Inkscape updated to version 1.3, it now imports pattern layers. I also have a few tutorials for Inkscape on the Tutorials page including: How to Unfold, Pattern Tetris, and How to Grade. Thanks to Marta Gvozdinskaya, a member of the projector sewing community, there are many YouTube videos available that relate directly to projector sewing! Inkscape has continued updates to bring more stability and capabilities to the program. Affinity Designer is also available for iPads. You will need to purchase the program separately for each operating system.

On the other hand, Affinity Designer is only available for Mac and Windows. Inkscape is available on a diverse range of operating systems including: Read about the latest upgrade to version 1.2 updates in THIS POST.Īffinity Designer, although affordable, does cost money to purchase the product. You can download it at no cost and upgrade anytime upgrades are available. Inkscape is a vector design program that has a lot of versatility and best of all it is FREE! It is a completely open-source program put together by a group of volunteers. Cannot have multiple files open at once in different tabs.Sometimes imported layers are named random numbers and letters.More frequent computer crashing (Especially when not substituting fonts).Inkscape is the preferred choice for sewists using a computer or laptop to project patterns. If you are in a hurry, check out the pros and cons table below. I will only touch on the useful tools that apply to adjusting patterns for projecting. Let’s dig into some of the advantages of Inkscape as a sewing application. Only Affinity Designer is needed for sewing purposes. There is a suite of Affinity products including Affinity Photo and Affinity Publisher. Affinity Designer is available on Mac, Windows, and iPad. While vectors are what you will mostly be using for sewing, Affinity can go beyond the basic pattern into items such as digital mockups easily. This means it is a vector-graphics program with a built-in photo editor. It can manage both vector and raster images. What is Affinity Designer?Īffinity Designer is a graphics editing program developed by Serif. Sewing patterns are considered vector graphics, which makes Inkscape a great option for digitally editing sewing patterns. It is also a member of the Software Freedom Conservancy, a US 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. This is often referred to as “The Inkscape Project”. Inkscape is built by many contributors and volunteers that help code and develop the software.

It is a free alternative to Adobe Illustrator or Affinity Designer. Inkscape was designed as a free and Open-Source vector graphics editor.

Inkscape cost