Karbon (software)

Vector graphics editor for KDE desktop environment From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Karbon (software)

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.

Quick Facts Developer(s), Repository ...
Karbon
Developer(s)KDE
Repository
Written inC, C++
Operating systemUnix-like, Windows (experimental)
TypeVector graphics editor
LicenseLGPL-2.0-or-later
Websitewww.calligra.org/karbon
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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, 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

Writing support

See also

References

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