I am looking for a vector image creation/editing tool for the Mac. My primary focus with be creating/editing images (mainly icons) for application development. I think I will be purchasing the full icon set from http://www.iconeden.com/ as a starting point and them go from there. I already have pixelmator for standard image creation/editing so diffidently looking for a tool that is geared specific for vector based images. A few basic things:
- Support SVG format
- Be able to export to png file format
- Support Illustrator file format (nice to have)
I know there is Inkscape which is free but what other tools are out there that are just as nice or maybe better. I am also willing to spend money, it does not have to be only free tools.
Best Answer
Adobe Illustrator.
You probably didn't want to hear this, because it's outrageously expensive, but it's the standard for a reason. Inkscape is free and has a good number of features, but the user experience is pretty terrible. Every other (cheaper) commercial offering I've used lacked even basic features that Illustrator had a decade ago.
I've tried using cheaper programs, but when they cost 1/10th what Illustrator does (or less), they invariably end up being 1/10th the program that Illustrator is, too. I've not actually been able to complete a full image without exporting to SVG, and loading it into Inkscape to finish the job.
Maybe there's something out there I've missed (and I'd love to hear about it), but in my mind, there's two options: suck up having to deal with a lousy UI and use Inkscape, or suck up having to pay $600 and buy Illustrator.