Notes on Packaging for OS X

Current Status

Available download

Inkscape 0.91 [1]

Requirements

XQuartz >= 2.5.1

Mac OS X >= 10.5.8 (32bit app for Leopard and Snow Leopard, 64bit app for Lion and later)

Python >= 2.5 (32bit) (provided by OS X) for extensions

Known issues

clipboard conflict with XQuartz (pastes as bitmap) - Bug #307005

language detection is faulty - #617079, #476678

missing: ps2pdf for Postscript input - Bug #642522(osx, win32)

partial: spellchecker limited to English dictionary - Bug #396322

GIO-based clip art import not supported - Bug #943148

Known issues on specific versions of OS X

Leopard: requires XQuartz >= 2.5.1 - Bug #878368

Lion and later: no support for Retina/HiDPI displays - Bug #1216795

Mavericks and later: XQuartz conflict with multi-monitor setups - Bug #1244397

Mavericks and later: embedding bitmap images on import or paste from clipboard may crash Inkscape - Bug #1398521, Bug #1410793

Mavericks and later: application bundle is not signed Bug #1363305

Scripts & Resources in 'packaging/macosx' (stable, trunk)

Roadmap

Provide packages built with GTK+/Quartz

no requirement for X11/XQuartz

OS integration (menubar, shortcuts, dock menu, proxy icon)

improve language detection

improve CLI usage

include dbus (without launchd support), gvfs (clipart import, GTK3 file chooser)

Extensions

include ps2pdf (Ghostscript)

offer packages (installer) for additional extensions and required dependencies

User data (OS X guidelines <-> XDG spec)

inkscape profile folder in "$HOME/Library/Application Support/"

caches in "$HOME/Library/Caches"

Future

Packages based on GTK3/Quartz

OS X integration based on native GTK3 features

support for HiDPI resolutions

multi-threading (OpenMP support in future version of clang)

Recent efforts

2012: Gellule Xg

• Based on trunk (lp:inkscape r11619)
• dependencies via MacPorts
• ige-mac-integration for osx menubar
• ige-mac-bundler for osx app
• osx-build.sh updated, osx-app.sh obsolete, osx-dmg.sh new

Status

experimental, abandoned

+

simplified bundle structure

easier bundling (script is developed & maintained upstream)

-

extensions not working in app bundle

themeing not yet included

Related blueprint

A quartz version for OS X

Related branch

lp:~inkscape.dev/inkscape/dev-osx

Related threads

Subject: Some progress on OSX/aqua, and how to go further?

Subject: Packaging for OSX

Subject: Verbs+SPAction versus GtkAction

Related reports

Bug #738973: Issues with inkscape-quartz blueprint

Bug #1042597: gtk-mac-bundler: include python modules (and runtime) for extensions

Bug #1043266: gtk-mac-integration support

Bug #1043279: gtk-mac-bundler issues

Bug #1045959: add DnD, 'Open with…' support for Dock & Finder icon

Bug #1045963: add gtk-themes support

2013: Valerio Aimale

• Based on stable (lp:inkscape/0.48.x r9943)
• dependencies via MacPorts
• gtk-mac-integration for osx menubar, shortcuts, callbacks
• osx-build.sh, osx-app.sh updated
• script-based launcher (new)

Status

Release Candidate (RC5), abandoned

+

feature complete (including extensions, themeing)

extensions: includes ps2pdf and UniConvertor, uses system Python

-

based on stable, not ported to trunk

no source code available (RC builds cannot be recreated)

gtk-mac-integration uses Quartz handlers (-> conflicts with keyboard input)

depends on patched GTK+/Quartz stack for clipboard support

no pasting of text in GUI widgets (XML Editor crashes on paste)

Related threads

Subject: Mac OS X Mountain Lion x86_64 packaging of 0.48.4

Subject: Rejuvenated build system for Mac OS X

Subject: Inkscape and Mac OSX menu integration

Subject: Patch that allows use of Meta key on Mac OS X and all platforms

Related reports

Bug #1096996 Refreshed build system for Mac OS X

Bug #1097009 Better integration with Mac OS X OS

Bug #1097539 Actiavte the use of Meta|Command|WinFlag key for Mac Menu Accelerators

RC build threads

Subject: Mac OS X Build 0.48.4 RC1

Subject: Mac OSX 0.48.4 RC2

Subject: Mac OSX 0.48.4 RC3

Subject: Mac OSX 0.48.4 RC4

Subject: Mac OS X 0.48.4 RC5

2014: osxmenu (~suv)

• Based on (or cherry-picked from) Gellule's and Valerio's work
• Uses GTK+/Quartz backend in app bundle
• Supports gtk-mac-integration for integration with OS X global menu bar
• Supports dbus session bus
• New dark theme
• OS X friendly key bindings use Cmd instead of Ctrl
• … (TODO: more changes?)

Status

experimental, wip

Known issues

canvas redraws with Quartz backend are delayed (Screen recording 1,2)

exchanging drawing content with native apps via clipboard fails (lp:546934, gtk:692123)

Related branch

lp:~suv-lp/inkscape/osxmenu

Available download

current link to available downloads on the branch page under 'Testing'

2014: osx-packaging-update (Liam P. White, ~suv)

• Based on current scripts in 'packaging/macosx' (X11-based)
• Works with latest version of dependencies
• Allows creating bundle with quartz
• Supports compiling Platypus launcher on newer versions of OS X
• Uses modern Adwaita theme instead of Clearlooks-Quicksilver theme in stable bundles
• Fixes library rewriting
• Uses Python bundles from MacPorts prefix
• Adds wrapper script for GIMP.app

Status

Proposal merged into trunk in revision 13620

Update is included in the stable release branch 0.91.x.

Related branch

osx-packaging-update (merged)

Available download

Stable release packages: 0.91 (requires 10.5.8 or later)

Unstable trunk packages: 0.91+devel (DropBox) (requires 10.7 or later)