Finally, a vector-based graphic design tool that’s both simple and free.
The need of expanded accessibility and intuitive user experience lead to the creation of many web-based design platforms that strive to challenge the design world as we know it today. Startups like Canva, Picktochart, Visme and Designbold are all a product of the growth of the design industry. What all of these tools have in common other than inventiveness is their raster oriented approach.
Today, I want to present you something different. A tool that reimagines vector graphic creation and unlocks the limits of cross-platform design.
Vectr: The vector design tool from the future
Vectr is a free cross-platform vector design software that’s built to work smoothly across various operating systems. It’s currently available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Chromebook. The Vectr team is supported by strong investors in the web development field who once put their faith in WordPress and aided the growth of today’s most popular CMS platform. But that’s not main the reason why Vectr is promised to have great future.
Created with Vectr.com
An Intuitive Approach Towards Vector Design
Throughout the years, I’ve stumbled upon and tested many vector design tools. Some of them, I never really understood ( sorry, GIMP ). But Vectr got me right at “Hello”. Here are some of the features I immediately fell in love with.
Object snapping: The smart snapping creates convenient guidelines that will help you create perfectly measured vectors. I was amazed to see the tool suggested me to alight a randomly drawn object to the geometrical center and the sides’ middle of a triangle that I have previously drawn. The snapping tool is elegantly displayed at the upper left corner of the dashboard. You can choose between snapping to a grid or point depending on your needs and even turn off the option completely.
Dimensions: Displayed on the bottom left of your screen, the dimensions will show you the size of your currently selected object or your artboard. This is extremely convenient as when creating pixel-perfect art, it’s crucial that you know the exact size of your graphic elements.
Vector drawing: Just like in Illustrator, you’ll be able to choose between a Pen and a Pencil tool. The Pen Tool allows you to draw vector elements by creating straight lines and curves. The Pencil Tool is intended for creating uneven, non-standard vector objects by simply drawing them on the artboard. Double clicking on selected vector lines creates additional points that allow you to make more detailed editing.
Flipping & Arranging: Upon selecting an element, you’ll see a neat vertical and horizontal flip button that, believe me, will make your life a lot easier. Right beside the flip option, you’ll see two buttons for layer arrangement that will help you put your vector elements in order.
Preset shapes: Although I love vector design, I always find it annoying to draw perfect oval shapes like hearts or drops or repeatedly redraw generic elements like a triangle, square, plus and others. The three dots in the right sidebar menu will reveal a neat template collection with preset shapes that you can use in your designs.
Text editing: I’m not sure if I can upload my own font or not but I didn’t even give it a try. Vectr’s font library is so exhaustive that you could hardly fail at finding the right typeface. You probably have the complete Google font library at your disposal. Even though scrolling down the drop list can be a bit dull, you’ll be happy to see that each font is represented with a corresponding thumbnail image.
Additional Features
Metrics: You can easily change the metric system for your document by selecting the second icon just above the dashboard on the left. Here, you can also rename your project.
Pages & Layers: The artboards for your specific project are called Pages. You can delete and add new ones by clicking the Pages button that’s located in the upper left corner of your screen. The Layers button is located right next to the artboard selection option. From there, you’ll be able to lock your layers, rearrange them and toggle their visibility on and off.
Conclusion
I’ve had a great time designing with Vectr. Although some features are still under development it’s an amazing substitute for other premium vector design software. And, of course, it’s free.
If you, like me, are on a search for a reliable, intuitive, and convenient tool that allows you to design across a wide selection of platforms without disrupting your creative process, you need to check out Vectr.
Looking for more hands-on reviews and tutorials? Check these out:
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from SpyreStudios http://spyrestudios.com/vectr-cross-platform-vector-design-tool/
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