Unlike other software, Inkscape allows you to manipulate raster graphics, giving you an easier time editing and generating artwork. It uses raster graphics, which are stored in a palette, and allow you to manipulate objects by changing the background color, shadows, highlights, and color of inks, while performing with the blending tools. Inkscape has a user-interface based on traditional art styles such as impressionism. The Mac version comes with a WYSIWYG editor, which is similar to Adobe's existing AutoCAD application. Inkscape is written in Java, but it can also run on the Mac.

It also comes with an extensive palette that supports color, gradient, and beveling. It includes a drawing canvas that supports various drawing formats and can rotate, flip, zoom and pan.

These include a complete set of stylus-based tools, that can be used with any pen and paper.

Inkscape has many features not found in other tools for vector drawing.

Inkscape is an open source vector graphics editor, similar to Adobe Photoshop, CorelDraw, or InDesign with the W3C specification dictating the type of art layout formats it supports.

Inkscape gradient blending