9 Best Ways to Use Illustrator for Linux

Illustrator for Linux: 9 Best Software

Adobe Illustrator Linux is useful for creating posters, logos and vector illustrations. I’ve picked up 9 graphic editors for those who work with Linux.

1. Adobe Illustrator through PlayOnLinux Software

Don’t rush to completely abandon Adobe Illustrator. You can download it on your computer using PlayOnLinux. It allows you to install and use many games and apps developed for Windows. The software is based on the Wine emulator and is completely free.

The downside of this method is that you can’t use the latest versions of Illustrator. However, you can enjoy 2 older versions, such as Adobe Illustrator CC 2015 and Adobe Illustrator CS6. If it comes to the program performance, the PlayOnLinux team makes notes for each version. If it comes to the program performance, the PlayOnLinux team makes notes for each participant in Illustrator CS6 vs CC battle. For example, Illustrator CS6 is tested and approved by experts.

2. Illustrator Online Editor

This online editor is suitable for working with both vector and raster graphics. It includes basic tools such as brushes, stamp, gradient, spot healing tool, and a red-eye effect removal feature. Also, this Illustrator Linux alternative supports such popular file formats as PSD, XCF, and SVG.

Illustrator Online Editor works with layers to quickly change the background color or experiment with effects. Moreover, you can create page layouts, draw sketches, and transform them into amazing illustrations.

3. Inkscape

Inkscape is a free Adobe Illustrator alternative with an open-source code. This program lets you enjoy node editing, standard tools for creating objects, and built-in raster images. Inscape works with such file formats as SVG, PNG, DXF, EPS and others.

One of the most distinctive features of this software is the ability to fill the necessary area in your illustration in one click. You can also use keyboard shortcuts for some options, color objects, and work with 2D graphics.

Also, it is possible to automatically convert bitmaps to vector files. Talking about the Inkscape vs Illustrator comparison, I can say that the former is slightly inferior to Illustrator in terms of the number of files it supports. It doesn’t offer the option to export files to JPEG format.

4. Gravit Designer

Gravit Designer is available as both an online vector graphics editor and cross-platform software. You can create different types of illustrations, pages with layers, use non-destructive tools, and apply various effects. Gravit Designer is one of the best free graphic design software which supports not only the most common file formats, but Adobe Illustrator (.ai) and Sketch files (.sketch).

This online vector graphics editor allows you to conveniently work with layers. You can easily visualize and arrange objects, change the order of layers, or create a clipping mask. Its advantage over Illustrator is that Gravit Designer is cross-platform software. Besides, it has its own cloud storage.

5. Vectr

Linux users choose Vectr because it allows efficiently scaling vector graphics without sacrificing quality. The toolbar of the program includes the tools for creating curves, rectangles, and lines, as well as filters, backgrounds, and shadows. You can export files to PNG, JPG or SVG.

Vectr is online vector creator which allows working with a team on projects using the Google Docs style. Also, you can share the result on social media platforms. Although this product doesn’t have the majority of advanced Illustrator features, it includes all the basic vector graphics editing tools. Overall, Vectr is a decent alternative to Adobe Illustrator Linux if you are a beginner.

6. sk1

This open-source, cross-platform graphics editor stands out from other programs due to its color management technology. It boasts such features as nodes and text editing, ability to joint lines, drawing Bezier curves, ellipse and polygon.

Apart from working with standard file formats, the program is compatible with CorelDRAW (.cdr) files. Also, sk1 supports the PRO CMYK color space, which helps make your projects more realistic.

7. Boxy SVG

Boxy SVG is one of the best free vector graphics software that works as an extension for Google Chrome. It offers such tools as pens, Bezier curves, text, basic shapes, stroke and fill, layers, and contours.

The main advantage of Boxy SVG is a straightforward UI. You can create vector graphics with a minimum set of options. The program supports such file types as SVG and SVGZ, JPEG, and PNG.

8. Vecteezy

Vecteezy lets you import and tweak SVG files or create your own projects from scratch. You can choose a shape or clipart using pre-installed templates. The program boasts numerous tools, including a pen for drawing shapes, a set of fonts, and color palette.

However, this Illustrator Linux analog has some drawbacks. To save your work, you need to create an account or log in using Facebook. Although Vecteezy is one of the best free vector sites, your browser may slow down while working with large files.

9. SVG-Edit

SVG-Edit supports vector and raster export formats and helps you create and edit SVG files. The basic set of tools contains instruments for creating freehand graphics, shapes, text, and counters. This is open-source design software, so the developers keep adding new features.

Like Illustrator, SVG-Edit has a Wireframe mode that shows the contours of objects and speeds up rendering. This online graphics editor is based on HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript without server-side functionality, so you can download and modify the code to create your own application.

Eva Williams

Hi there, I'm Eva Williams - a professional blogger, read more