Karbon (software)
Vector graphics editor for KDE desktop environment From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Karbon (formerly Karbon14, Kontour, and KIllustrator) is a vector graphics editor. It is a component of Calligra Suite, an integrated graphic art and office suite by KDE. The name is a play on KDE and the radioactive isotope Carbon-14.
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![]() Karbon screenshot | |
Developer(s) | KDE |
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Repository | |
Written in | C, C++ |
Operating system | Unix-like, Windows (experimental) |
Type | Vector graphics editor |
License | LGPL-2.0-or-later |
Website | www |
On 26 February 2012, the lead developer clarified on the Calligra development mailing list that the application’s name is simply "Karbon" without "14".[1]
As of March 2020[update], the project is unsupported and seeking a maintainer.
User interface
Dockers
Dockers are Qwidgets that can attach to the main window, or to one over another (forming tabs), or can float freely.
Stroke and fill
Stroke and fill allows setting outline, stroke, or fill colours.
Fill options
- Empty indicated by an X button
- Solid colour
- Gradient
- pattern Warning, patterns are rasters. If, using the Pattern Edit Tool, displaying a highly zoomed in area of a pattern may cause it to degrade in quality.
- Even-odd fill
- Winding fill
Tools
The tools Docker allows selecting which tool is needed. Not all tools are always available. Example: the path editing tool is available only when a shape is selected.
Shape properties
The use of the Shape Properties docker is Unknown.
Toolbars
Toolbars allow displaying options otherwise some were in drop down menus. They may be edited by left clicking and selecting configure toolbars. The same option is under Settings. Which toolbars are visible can be toggled in Settings, Shown toolbars and ticking them from there.
Tools
Shape handling tool
The Shape Handling tool allows selecting shapes. Once done, shapes may be moved, resized, pulled, and rotated. To resize a shape move the cursor to one of the corners of the selection box. Two arrows pointing in conflicting directions will appear. Then click and drag to resize the shape. To resize proportionally, hold down shift when Clicking and dragging. To move a shape around the canvas, click within the selected shapes selection box. Then hold the click and drag. This moves the shape.
Connect shapes tool
The Connect Shapes tool allows visually linking shapes with auto updating black lines. This is useful for flow charts.
Create path tool
The Create Path Tool allows drawing vector lines and connecting then to make shapes with the use of Bézier curve. When familiar with Adobe Illustrator, it may help to view the Create Path Tool as Illustrator's Pen Tool. Karbon's create Path Tool differs from its Freehand Drawing Tool which disallows editing curves and points while drawing.
Supported formats
Loading support
- OpenDocument Graphics (.ODG)
- Scalable Vector Graphics (.SVG)
- WordPerfect (.WPG)
- Windows Metafile (.WMF)
- Encapsulated PostScript (.EPS/PS)
Writing support
- OpenDocument Graphics (.ODG)
- Scalable Vector Graphics (.SVG)
- Portable Network Graphics (.PNG)
- Joint Photographic Experts Group (.JPEG)
- Windows Metafile (.WMF)
- Krita document (.kra)
- Portable Document Format (.PDF)
See also
References
Wikiwand - on
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