Free & OPEN SOURCE
✏️ Illustrator to Inkscape
Tired of the Adobe Creative Cloud bill? Inkscape is a powerful, completely free vector graphics editor that handles everything from logos and icons to complex illustrations. This guide maps your Illustrator muscle memory directly to Inkscape so you can hit the ground running.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| ACTION | ILLUSTRATOR | INKSCAPE |
|---|---|---|
| New File | Ctrl/Cmd + N | Ctrl + N |
| Open File | Ctrl/Cmd + O | Ctrl + O |
| Save / Save As | Ctrl + S (AI), Ctrl + Shift + S (Save As) | Ctrl + S saves as SVG (native). Use Ctrl + Shift + S for Save a Copy |
| Export / Save for Web | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + S (Save for Web) | File > Export As (Ctrl + Shift + E) or File > Export PNG Image |
| Undo | Ctrl/Cmd + Z | Ctrl + Z |
| Redo | Ctrl + Shift + Z | Ctrl + Y |
| Zoom In / Out | Ctrl + + / Ctrl + - | + / - or scroll wheel |
| Fit Page to Window | Ctrl + 0 | 3 (fit drawing) or 5 (fit page) |
| Select All | Ctrl + A | Ctrl + A |
| Deselect | Escape | Escape |
| Group | Ctrl + G | Ctrl + G |
| Ungroup | Ctrl + Shift + G | Ctrl + Shift + G |
| Lock Object | Ctrl + 2 | Object > Object Properties > Lock (no default shortcut) |
| Copy / Paste in Place | Ctrl + F (Paste in Front), Ctrl + B (Paste in Back) | Alt + D (Clone), Ctrl + Alt + V (Paste in Place) |
| Bring to Front / Send to Back | Ctrl + Shift + ] / Ctrl + Shift + [ | Home / End |
| Outline / Preview Mode | Ctrl + Y | View > Display Mode > Outline (Ctrl + Shift + Alt + O in some versions) |
Tools Equivalents
| TOOL TYPE | ILLUSTRATOR | INKSCAPE |
|---|---|---|
| Selection | Selection Tool V | Select & Transform F1 / S |
| Direct Selection (Node) | Direct Selection Tool A | Node Tool F2 / N |
| Pen Tool | Pen Tool P | Bezier / Pen Tool B |
| Pencil (Freehand) | Pencil Tool N | Pencil Tool P |
| Type Tool | Type Tool T | Text Tool T |
| Rectangle | Rectangle Tool M | Rectangle Tool R |
| Ellipse / Circle | Ellipse Tool L | Ellipse Tool E |
| Polygon / Star | Polygon Tool / Star Tool | Stars & Polygon Tool * — toggle corners vs. stars in tool controls |
| Spiral | Spiral Tool | Spiral Tool I |
| Line Segment | Line Segment Tool \ | Draw Lines (Bezier Tool constrained with Ctrl) or use the Pencil Tool |
| Gradient Tool | Gradient Tool G | Gradient Tool G |
| Mesh Gradient | Mesh Tool U | Mesh Gradient Tool M — similar, slightly different workflow |
| Eyedropper | Eyedropper Tool I | Dropper / Color Picker Tool F7 / D |
| Eraser | Eraser Tool Shift + E | Eraser Tool E — works on paths (subtracts shapes) |
| Scissors / Knife | Scissors Tool C | Cut Path at Nodes (Node Tool > right-click > Break Apart) or Extensions |
| Zoom | Zoom Tool Z | Zoom Tool Z |
| Hand / Pan | Hand Tool H | Hold Space to pan, or middle-mouse drag |
| Width Tool | Width Tool Shift + W | Not native — use Extensions > Generate from Path or manually adjust stroke width per node |
Objects, Groups & Layers
| CONCEPT | ILLUSTRATOR | INKSCAPE |
|---|---|---|
| Layers Panel | Layers Panel — objects and layers in a hierarchy | Object > Objects Panel (Ctrl + Shift + X in 1.x) or XML Editor. Layer panel via Layer menu |
| New Layer | Click New Layer icon in Layers panel | Layer > Add Layer (Shift + Ctrl + N) |
| Move between Layers | Drag object in Layers panel | Layer > Move Selection to Layer Above/Below, or drag in Objects panel |
| Group / Ungroup | Ctrl + G / Ctrl + Shift + G | Ctrl + G / Ctrl + Shift + G — identical |
| Align & Distribute | Align panel (Shift + F7) | Object > Align and Distribute (Ctrl + Shift + A) |
| Transform Panel | Transform panel (position, size, rotate, shear) | Object > Transform (Ctrl + Shift + M) — same concept |
| Symbols | Symbols panel — reusable artwork | Symbols (via XML as <symbol>) or use Clones: Alt + D to clone, Ctrl + Alt + D to unlink |
| Artboards | Multiple Artboards in one document | Inkscape 1.x supports multi-page documents — File > Document Properties > Pages tab |
| Clipping Mask | Ctrl + 7 — top object is the clip shape | Object > Clip > Set (Ctrl + Alt + U to release) — same concept |
| Opacity Mask | Transparency panel > Make Opacity Mask | Object > Mask > Set — use a grayscale object as mask (white = visible, black = hidden) |
| Compound Path | Ctrl + 8 | Path > Combine (Ctrl + K) — creates compound path with even-odd fill rule |
| Object Lock / Hide | Click lock/eye icon in Layers panel | Object Properties dialog or Objects panel lock/visibility toggles |
Path Operations
| OPERATION | ILLUSTRATOR | INKSCAPE |
|---|---|---|
| Unite (Union) | Pathfinder > Unite | Path > Union (Ctrl + +) |
| Minus Front | Pathfinder > Minus Front | Path > Difference (Ctrl + -) |
| Intersect | Pathfinder > Intersect | Path > Intersection (Ctrl + *) |
| Exclude (XOR) | Pathfinder > Exclude | Path > Exclusion (Ctrl + ^) |
| Divide | Pathfinder > Divide | Path > Division (Ctrl + /) |
| Outline Stroke | Object > Path > Outline Stroke | Path > Stroke to Path (Ctrl + Alt + C) |
| Offset Path | Object > Path > Offset Path | Path > Dynamic Offset (Ctrl + J) or Path > Inset/Outset (Ctrl + ( / Ctrl + )) |
| Join Paths | Object > Path > Join (Ctrl + J) | Select two open endpoints in Node Tool then Shift + J to join |
| Split into Sub-paths | Release Compound Path (Ctrl + Alt + 8) | Path > Break Apart (Ctrl + Shift + K) |
| Simplify Path | Object > Path > Simplify | Path > Simplify (Ctrl + L) |
| Add / Remove Anchor Points | Add Anchor Point Tool / Delete Anchor Point Tool | In Node Tool: double-click path to add node; select node then press Delete to remove |
| Convert Anchor Point | Convert Anchor Point Tool Shift + C | In Node Tool: Shift + U (make smooth), Shift + C (make sharp/cusp) |
Typography
| FEATURE | ILLUSTRATOR | INKSCAPE |
|---|---|---|
| Point Text | Click with Type Tool — single-line text | Click with Text Tool — same behavior |
| Area Text | Click & drag with Type Tool — text in a box | Click & drag with Text Tool — flow text in rectangle |
| Text on Path | Type > Type on a Path | Select text + path, then Text > Put on Path |
| Character Panel | Type > Character (Ctrl + T) | Text > Text and Font (Ctrl + Shift + T) |
| Paragraph Panel | Type > Paragraph (Ctrl + Alt + T) | Included in Text and Font dialog |
| Convert Text to Path | Type > Create Outlines (Ctrl + Shift + O) | Path > Object to Path (Ctrl + Shift + C) |
| Glyphs Panel | Type > Glyphs | Limited — Text > Text and Font shows some glyphs; use a system character map for full access |
| OpenType Features | OpenType panel (ligatures, alternates) | Basic OpenType support via CSS font-feature-settings in the SVG; limited UI access |
Fill & Stroke
| FEATURE | ILLUSTRATOR | INKSCAPE |
|---|---|---|
| Fill & Stroke Panel | Fill and Stroke panel (Ctrl + F9 for Color, Ctrl + Shift + F10 for Stroke) | Object > Fill and Stroke (Ctrl + Shift + F) — one panel for both |
| Solid Color Fill | Click color swatch / Color Picker | Click color in palette, or use Fill & Stroke dialog > Flat Color |
| Linear Gradient | Gradient Tool or Swatches panel | Fill & Stroke > Linear Gradient, then edit with Gradient Tool G |
| Radial Gradient | Same gradient editor, switch type | Fill & Stroke > Radial Gradient, edit with Gradient Tool |
| Pattern Fill | Object > Pattern > Make or Swatches panel | Fill & Stroke > Pattern — choose from preset patterns or define via Object > Pattern > Object to Pattern |
| Swatch Libraries | Window > Swatch Libraries (Pantone, CMYK, etc.) | Load palette files (.gpl, .ase) via the palette bar at the bottom. GIMP palettes are also compatible |
| Stroke Weight | Stroke panel — weight field | Fill & Stroke dialog > Stroke style > Width field |
| Stroke Dash Pattern | Stroke panel > Dashed Line options | Fill & Stroke > Stroke style > Dashes dropdown |
| Stroke Caps / Joins | Stroke panel — cap/join icons | Fill & Stroke > Stroke style — cap and join buttons |
| Appearance Panel | Multiple fills/strokes with fx per object | Inkscape does not natively support multiple fills per object — use stacked copies or Groups as a workaround |
| Graphic Styles | Graphic Styles panel — save & apply style sets | No equivalent; use copy-paste style: select source object, Ctrl + Shift + V to Paste Style |
Effects & Filters
| EFFECT | ILLUSTRATOR | INKSCAPE EQUIVALENT |
|---|---|---|
| Drop Shadow | Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow | Filters > Shadows and Glows > Drop Shadow |
| Outer / Inner Glow | Effect > Stylize > Outer Glow / Inner Glow | Filters > Shadows and Glows > Blur or Glows — or apply SVG filters via XML editor |
| Gaussian Blur | Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur | Filters > Blurs > Blur (simple Gaussian), or Filters > Blurs > Gaussians for more control |
| Feather (soft edge) | Effect > Stylize > Feather | Filters > Blurs > Blur, or use a Gaussian blur applied to a clip path |
| Warp / Distort | Effect > Warp (Arc, Bulge, Flag…) | Extensions > Generate from Path or Path > Path Effects (LPE) > Envelope Deformation |
| Roughen / Distort | Effect > Distort & Transform > Roughen | Extensions > Generate from Path > Roughen or Filters > Distort |
| Live Effects (Appearance) | Non-destructive effects via Appearance panel; editable at any time | Inkscape uses Live Path Effects (LPE) — Path > Path Effects (Ctrl + &) — a growing set of non-destructive effects |
| Blend Tool | Blend Tool W — blend between shapes / colors | Extensions > Generate from Path > Interpolate — similar result but less interactive |
| 3D Effects | Effect > 3D (Extrude & Bevel, Revolve) | No native 3D — use Extensions or export to Blender for 3D work |
File Formats
| FORMAT | ILLUSTRATOR | INKSCAPE |
|---|---|---|
| Native Project File | .AI (proprietary) / .AIT templates | .SVG / .SVGZ — open standard, editable in any code editor |
| Opening .AI in Inkscape | — | Inkscape can open AI files saved as PDF-compatible. Some effects flatten. For best results, save AI → SVG and open that |
| Export SVG | File > Save As > SVG or File > Export > SVG | File > Save As — SVG is the native format. Also File > Save a Copy for clean SVG exports |
| Export PNG | File > Export > Export for Screens (Ctrl + Alt + E) | File > Export PNG Image (Ctrl + Shift + E) — set DPI and area (page, drawing, selection) |
| Export PDF | File > Save As PDF or File > Print (PDF) | File > Save a Copy > PDF or File > Print — text rendered as paths for safe embedding |
| Export EPS | File > Save As > EPS | File > Save a Copy > EPS — supported, though SVG is preferred |
| Export DXF (CAD) | File > Export to DXF / DWG (via plug-in) | File > Save a Copy > DXF — useful for laser cutting / CNC workflows |
| Export EMF / WMF | Windows metafile export | File > Save a Copy > EMF or WMF — available on Windows builds |
| Batch Export | Export for Screens — export each artboard separately | Use Inkscape command-line: inkscape --export-type=png file.svg or Extensions > Export to batch export objects by ID |
Key Differences to Know
| ILLUSTRATOR CONCEPT | INKSCAPE EQUIVALENT | WHAT'S DIFFERENT |
|---|---|---|
| Artboards vs Pages | Pages (Inkscape 1.x) | Inkscape 1.0+ introduced multi-page support via File > Document Properties > Pages. Older workflows used separate SVG files per artboard |
| Appearance Panel | No direct equivalent | Illustrator lets you stack multiple fills and strokes on one object. Inkscape supports one fill + one stroke per object; workaround is to stack identical shapes with different styles |
| Symbols vs Clones | Clones (Alt + D) / Symbol instances | Inkscape uses Clones — a clone inherits all style changes from its parent. Edit the parent and every clone updates — very powerful for icon sets |
| Live Effects vs LPE | Live Path Effects (LPE) | Inkscape's LPE system (Path > Path Effects) is a growing library of non-destructive effects (offset, pattern along path, roughen, etc.) that rivals much of Illustrator's Effect menu |
| CMYK Color Mode | CMYK mode for print (Edit > Color Mode) | Inkscape works in RGB/SVG color space. For print, set colors manually to CMYK equivalents and export PDF — many printers accept RGB PDFs fine. For strict Pantone CMYK, use a CMYK conversion tool before sending to press |
| Scripting & Automation | Actions, Scripts (ExtendScript/UXP) | Inkscape supports Python-based Extensions (Extensions menu) and full command-line processing. Write Python scripts to batch transform, generate, or export SVG files |
| Plugins / Extensions | Adobe Exchange / marketplace | Inkscape extensions are Python scripts stored in the extensions folder. Popular tools: Inkstitch (embroidery), Laser Tools (cutting), TexText (LaTeX equations), and hundreds more on the Inkscape Extensions repo |
| UI & Workspace | Preset workspaces (Essentials, Typography…) | Inkscape has a single workspace you can customise. Toolbars, panels, and the View menu let you configure the layout. Keyboard shortcuts are fully configurable in Edit > Preferences > Interface > Keyboard |
| Font Handling | Adobe Fonts + system fonts; auto-activation | Inkscape uses system fonts only — install fonts normally on your OS and they appear in Inkscape. No cloud font service, but any free font from Google Fonts or similar works |