Typically, raster graphic files can be displayed on any computer or mobile device, as long as it supports the specific file format. There are some new AI-based tools that use machine learning to upscale images fairly well, but that’s a topic for another article since they don’t work with GIMP. Whenever you enlarge a raster image, the computer can’t invent new image data (despite what TV crime dramas would have you believe), so you just wind up with a blurry version of your image where the original pixels are simply much larger than before.Ī raster image at 100% zoom (left), 400% zoom (middle), and 1600% zoom (right) This is a very simple way of making an image, but it has some drawbacks. Each pixel in the grid contains some information that tells the computer what color it is, how bright it is, and in some cases, its transparency level. Raster graphic files contain an orderly grid of pixels, very similar to how images are displayed on modern computer monitors, televisions, and smartphone screens. Inkscape creates and edits vector images. As I mentioned briefly in the introduction, there are two primary methods of constructing a computer image file: raster and vector.

Let’s get a bit of technical terminology out of the way before we continue so that you’ll have a better sense of how these two programs differ.

Trying to use the wrong tool for the job is always frustrating, but I’ll make things as clear and simple as I can, no matter if you’re an old hand or just getting your start in digital graphics. Since this isn’t a standard comparison article, I’m going to explain how the two programs differ and which one you should use for your project. After testing virtually every major graphics program available today, I’m here to help guide you through the world of image editing. I’ve been passionate about the graphic arts for over 20 years and working in the digital art world for almost as long. If this is your first time here, let me say hi quickly: my name is Thomas Boldt, and I’m the writer and image editing expert on the TGT team. Ideally, I can help you avoid that and help you focus on the fun, creative parts of using GIMP and Inkscape! It’s possible to do some of these jobs in the “non-recommended” program, but you’ll find yourself taking ten times longer to do the same job – or just giving up out of sheer frustration.

Combine GIMP and Inkspace in a Design WorkflowĪs I mentioned before, it all depends on what you’re doing, of course! Here’s a quick overview of which program is best for which task.

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