Release notes/1.2

These Release Notes are in Draft Status. Important Links: Commit History Main Program (starting from: xxx) Commit History Extensions (starting from: xxx) Commit History Documentation (starting from: xxx)

Pending questions: …

Release highlights

Definitely not released yet.

Important changes for packagers

• New dependency on python-cssselect added which is required for usage of Inkscape extensions (MR #3239)

Speed Improvements

• Dialogs have been refactored to better control their update and refresh mechanisms (MR #3369), and will defer updates when hidden (MR #3761)
• New Layers and Objects dialog significantly improves performance when handling many objects at the same time. (MR #2466 MR #3635)
• Document Properties dialog enormously sped up on macOS if grids are in use. (MR #3400, MR #3403)
• Speed improved for documents with many layers by using static layer selection in the status bar (MR #3629)

General user interface

The padding of the + / - buttons for number entry fields has been reduced, so those fields now take up considerably less space. If you prefer the wider buttons, this can be turned off in Preferences > Interface : Use narrow number entry boxes . (MR #3358)

Color picker

HSL is much more intuitive way how to think about colors so now its default mode for color picker. we moved all color picker blending modes in to drop-down and added icons for cleaner UI. There is an option in preferences to change old look back https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3443

Info Bar

Layers drop-down indicator was replace by button that will open new Layers and object dialog

Dialog System

we made tab labels more responsive to the width of dialog

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3627

Docking zones now blink after you start dragging tab to show where it is possible to dock it

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3729

We added Options button (arrow down) next to every dialog, It has option for closing, un-docking but also open any dialog

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3728

Icons

Multicolor icons

Multiple icons got small retouches and other improvements to readability or contrast. Align and distribute icons got new redesign to fit in to 16x16 grid. Green color for dark theme got little brighter to improve contrast Cursors and icons in toolbox for bezier tool and calligraphy now use same imagery

Canvas

Page

we added realistic shadow to the page

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3128

Snapping

Snapping Settings

Snapping settings got unified and settings are no longer saved in to svg file but to to preferences inside of inkscape. All snapping settings are moved to Preferences> Behavior > Snapping

Snapping Toolbar

Snapping toolbar got removed and replaced with new simplified snapping pop over. You can find it in top Right corner as a toggle switch with arrow for change preferences.

Preferences has two modes:

• Simple - 3 options (Bounding box, paths, Alignment snapping). This should be good simple preset for most of users needs.
• Advanced - All granualr control over every snapping option. This provides all functionality for pro users

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3323

Alignment and Distribution snapping

Three new modes of on-canvas snapping have been added. These new modes make aligning and distributing objects a very easy drag and drop operation.

The new snapping options can be enabled or disabled from the Snap popover -> Advanced using the following new options:

• Alignment Snapping : Toggle alignment snapping for objects.
• Self snapping : Toggle alignment snapping for nodes in the same path while editing nodes.
• Distribution snapping : Toggle distribution snapping.

Alignment and distribution snapping also have their separately configurable snap tolerances which can be adjusted in Document Properties > Snap. Both Alignment and Distribution snapping also have a preference to show snap distances which can be enabled or disabled from Preference > Snapping > Show snap distance in case of alignment or distribution snap.

Alignment Guides

are horizontal or vertical lines that only appear when you're editing objects on the canvas. Temporary guide lines appear if the selected object can be aligned relative to another object on the canvas. Once a guide does occur, the movement of the selection is constrained in the general direction of the guide which makes placing objects on the canvas easier.

Self snapping

is useful for node editing. Nodes will snap to their own geometry

Distribution Guides

are also a new feature added to Inkscape. These are spacing guides that appear in between equally spaced objects. These guides make it easier to place objects at equal distance from each other. These guides also appear in horizontal or vertical direction based on the optimum snap position.

Related Merge Request: https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3294

Tools

Selector Tool

Custom Origin

You can edit the Origin of the selection. By clicking on one of 8 canvas handles <-> changes the origin/ anchor point of the selection. After that, you will see a big gray cross from a new origin. This change will be reflected in the toolbar from where you can edit position and size with precise numbers. This is useful if you want to move/scale a selection with a precise number in mind. You can also move origin anywhere by dragging on the middle handle + .

2700

Text Tool

New feature padding knot to flow box 2769

SVG 2.0 flowed text allows for shape-padding and shape-subtract attributes, allowing for the text to flow into a shape and leave some space between it's edges and where the text will start to flow as well as subtracting shapes with margin, which allows text to flow around other objects in the scene. These attributes were supported in Inkscape 1.0, but not exposed to the user. This version of Inkscape includes both an adjustable on-canvas knot for changing the padding as well as a Text menu item for setting text subtraction properties with a further knot to adjust it's margins.

[See merge request for animated gifs to add here]

kerning options moved to pop over to save space in toolbar. We also increased range sliders for letters/words spacing https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/2569 https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3434

Last line in paragraph is not justified anymore https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3780

Page tool

New tool and feature that allows you to create multipage ( pages ) SVG and PDF. As a part of this feature is also import of multipages to inkscape.

• you can create new page on canvas
• you can edit size page on canvas
• you can change position of page on canvas
• you can create new page by clicking + button in toolbar
• you can name your pages
• you can delete page
• you can fit page size around your selection
• you can type in page sizes
• you can chose page size from presets
• You can open PDF/AI with multiple pages
• You can import pages from pdf in to existing svg (file> import)
• you can save multipage pdf
• you can save multipage svg ( multipages are not supported in browsers first page is viewport for browsers)

(TODO: document all features and how it works)

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3486

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3785

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3821

Caligraphy brush / pen

Allows fixation to have negative values https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3782

Dialogs

General

You can hide the docking area on the left or right on the screen with a single mouse action now! Click on the vertical ... or drag the bar past 50% percent of the minimal dock width (MR #2969)

• 

  Toggle to hide/unhide dock

Preferences

Preferences zoom ruler respect theme look

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3450

Allow select same to work like select all

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/2832

Document Properties

We revamped the document properties dialog from old cluttered, not so user friendly to completely redesigned dialog that users will enjoy

Trace Bitmap

Clean up of ui: Added sliders , fixed live preview, dialog is size responsive

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3405

Color pallet and Swatches

We improved Look and settings options of this two panels.

• color pallets have previewa
• you can control size, padding, nuber of rows
• Scrolling is now possible just on vertical axis
• you can use arrow buttons to navigate up and down

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/2881

Alignment and distribute

We fused Arrange dialog into Alignment and Distribution dialog . its in 3 tabs with more user friendly names and small visual tweaks.

Icons inside this dialog are smaller and redesign.

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3382

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3667

Layers and Objects dialog

We fused Layers and objects dialog in to new improved dialog.

• new icons for every object type
• first object icon enable/disable view of objects
• masks and clipping paths are added as a overly suicon
• every new layer has new color
• Colors of icons in panel and paths on canvas are linked for better organization
• you can edit color of of layer/object by slisking on color block on right
• default highlight colors delegated to style.css file
• double click label (name of the object) to rename it
• info-bar shows you current layer if you click on it and will open layers dialog

• shift-click on an eye icon toggles layer solo visibility (hiding others)

• shift-click on a padlock locks other layers
• If you hold Alt and hover over items in dialog all other elements get lover opacity. So you can see what exactly is the object you pointing at

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/2466

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3741

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3597

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3645

SVG Font Editor

Bug fixes, small face lift and UX and performance improvements of the dialog

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3396

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3552

Text and Font dialog

The dialog's width has been reduced, so it won't take up excessive amounts of space when docked (MR #3314).

Transform dialog

We cleaned up this dialog, reduced width and added explanation for metric transformations

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3381

Fill and Stroke dialog

Gradient Editor is back

A replacement for the gradient editor was added to the Fill and Stroke dialog (MR #2688, But UX#67).

Users can now add, edit and delete gradient stops directly in the 'Fill and Stroke' dialog.

New stops can be added by double clicking on the gradient preview, and can be deleted by selecting them and pressing the Del or Backspace key. Their position can be adjusted with the mouse by dragging the stops along the gradient preview, or numerically using stop offset option for more precise adjustments.

The Gradient tool toolbar options `repeat mode`, `reverse gradient direction`, a gradient selection library and a list of all stops have been added here, too, so all the options pertaining to gradients are in easy reach.

Another way to add, edit and delete single stops is to use the list of gradient stops. Users can add stops by clicking on the + button, and can delete them by clicking on the - button.

With the new gradient selection dropdown, users can duplicate gradients by clicking on the + button.

Users can offset (move) the first and last stops of a gradient. The color beyond the last/first gradient stop is uniformly that of the last/first stop and it becomes transparent where the gradient postion handles end.

other fixies

duplicated gradeint does not get deleted https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3361

Markers

Markers have new drop-down options where you can control size offset and rotation of markers. This allowed us to remove duplicate markers so UI is much easier to navigate. We also cleaned out marker presets and added few new arrows and also join ends

You can also edit size rotation and offset of markers on canvas. By clicking on edit button in style tab under marker

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3394

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3420

Custom Dash strokes

We added UI for editing custom dash stroke pattern. Click on Custom option inside a dash stroke drop-down and this field will be shown under it. Now you can add your custom pattern by typing numbers (dash gap dash gap ...)

Other small changes

we reorder caps to mach order https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3402

Color picker mode got redesigned #Color_picker

Document Properties

We redesigned document properties. Since we introduce new feature Multipages wich is not part of svg standart (not suported by browsvers). we cahneg this dialog to contol how big is a viewbox (what gets shown in browsvers). We use first page is also viewbox.

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3700

We moved out snapping settings ouside this dialog and also outside of svg document in to preferences.

Commands

Path Operations

Split path, split non-intersecting path functionality. Path > split path Useful for splitting Letter or other objects made from multiple paths(usually holes) in to single object https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3738

Live path effects

perspective/envelope LPE now works on objects with 0 width or height . (edge cases for single line stroke) https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/2712

Customization

Themes

• A contrast slider was added for fine tuning the selected theme's colors at Preferences ⯈ Interface ⯈ Themeing: Contrast (MR #906)

• 

  The contrast slider allows to fine-tune the theme's colors

Cursors

Drop shadow is now optional for mouse cursors. You can turn it off in Preferences > Interface : Enable Scaling and Preferences > Interface : Show drop shadow

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3352

UI

You can change what you see in down info bar. By default no changes are made just option to turn off information https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3445

you can control size of the font preferences > interface > theme

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3690

Toolbars and Toolbox

 Preferences > interface > toolbars  

You can control size of the icons and also customize with tools are visible in a toolbar(toolbox).

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3515

macOS-specific Changes

On macOS, enable all special menu items in the application menu and hide them from other menus. https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3767

Windows-specific Changes

Modifier keys now work with pen input https://gitlab.com/freedesktop-sdk/mirrors/gnome/gtk/-/commit/46c12b2c922d5592cedd29624cbf3be6b4411084

Extensions

Add option to limit output extension to save copy

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3600

Added Python app dirs dependency

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3568

Behind the curtains

Gio::Actions

continuous work on converting verbs to Gio::Actions . This work is done as a preparation for migration to gtk4 and also allows us to have this commands in command pallet and assign shortcuts to this coverted commands. (TODO: there is lots of MRs mostly from tav which needs to be sorted and added here)

Symbols

Add support for x, y, width and height SVG2 attributes on <symbol>. Follows logic of <svg> element, which already supported these attributes. https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3828

Notable bugfixes

Crash fixes

Check knot still exists before updating

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/717

Masive colection of crash fixes releted to number of LPE (copy, stampe, duplicate)

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3479

Action after grouping 3D boxes crash Fix

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3698

Fix for crashing of inkscape while Quiting

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3681

Fix crash due to invalid or malformed direct-action string

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3663

Bezier curve tool Backspace crash

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3715 Fix crash scrolling across line height units

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3541

Fix adding a path effect to symbol causes crash

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3520

Fix drag-and-drop svgs, stops crash

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3710

Handle two items in spray tool's single path mode

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3470

Icon preview crash

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3439

Prevents crashing during 3D box import

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3592

Fill between Paths LPE crash on selecting https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3801

Other bug fixes

Fix #1034 - Recursively flatten css style when copying

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3656

new boolean operation algorithm

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3724

Respect mouse down before mouse move coordinates (WIN)

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3735

Remove mandatory break from end of paragraphs, added in Pango 1.49.

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3630

Fix: Subsequent font changes to words in the same textbox now apply

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3631

Fix numpad input for unimode in text tool

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3689

All handles should be controlled by preferences

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3699

Restore refresh of units trackers

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3665

Fix find and replace if text has description, nested tspans

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3551

all canvas knots should have same size and be controlled form preferences

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3679

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3699

Fix multiline vertical text positioning in browsers.

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3537

Stop changing line height when units change

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3544

Fix Clone Tiler menu item, action mismatch

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3650

fix: Cannot quit Inkscape on macOS Big Sur from welcome screen (MAC)

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/issues/2762

Fix: Position of flowed text no longer applies extra transforms on text

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3695

Fix default value for saturate in color matrix filter

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3626

nodes widget no longer appears on startup in align and distribute dialog

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3677

fixes #2621. Clicking on fill/stroke in the status bar now reopens the dialog if it is

hidden https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3754

Fix KP_2,4,6,8 shortcuts for rect tool

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3773

Transform handle modifiers are now displayed on status bar https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/-/merge_requests/3809

Even more bug fixes

There were even more issues fixed than those listed above, but these probably only affect a small portion of users, or are relevant for development and packaging only.

For a complete list, visit our GitLab issue tracker and see the commit history.

Translations

The following UI translations received updates:

• …

The Windows installer translation was updated for [2021-03-03]:

• …

The following documentation translations received updates:

• …

Contributing to interface translations

Want to help with translations? Learn how to help!

Documentation

• …

Contributing to documentation and documentation translation

Contributions to the documentation translations, as well as improvements to its contents, are welcome at the inkscape-docs repository.

Known issues

• Gradient editing [as of 2021-06-26]:
  • Gradient collecting is problematic. It deletes your gradient if it's not used by any other object. Will be fixed with 3361
  • If you convert your gradient to swatch, the gradient editor cannot be used for editing it anymore.
  • The first click after exiting the gradient library is ignored.
  • Canvas stops and gradient editor stops highlighting will stop working in some cases.

Other releases

• Inkscape 1.5 — development branch
• Inkscape 1.4 — current stable release branch
• Inkscape 1.3 (1.3.1, 1.3.2)
• Inkscape 1.2 (1.2.1, 1.2.2)
• Inkscape 1.1 (1.1.1, 1.1.2)
• Inkscape 1.0 (1.0.1, 1.0.2)
• Inkscape 0.92 (0.92.1, 0.92.2, 0.92.3, 0.92.4, 0.92.5)
• Inkscape 0.91
• Inkscape 0.48 (0.48.1, 0.48.2, 0.48.3, 0.48.4, 0.48.5)
• Inkscape 0.47
• Inkscape 0.46
• Inkscape 0.45
• Inkscape 0.44
• Inkscape 0.43
• Inkscape 0.42
• Inkscape 0.41
• Inkscape 0.40
• Inkscape 0.39
• Inkscape 0.38
• Inkscape 0.37
• Inkscape 0.36
• Inkscape 0.35