On Mon, Jan 22, 2007 at 08:34:27AM -0700, Joshua A. Andler wrote:
FYI: I'm in the middle of listening, but there is a comparison of Xara and Inkscape. http://www.linuxactionshow.com/?p=77
Here's a direct link to the mp3 of it:
http://www.linuxactionshow.com/episodes/LinuxActionShowEP031.mp3
Offset is about 33 minutes in, where they start talking about them.
Some of the points the reviewers have:
* They like the name "Xara Xtreme" better than "Xara LX", but they like the name "Inkscape" all the more - "it just drops off the tongue, it's beautiful"
* File format support is critically important. "In this case Inkscape takes the cake by a pretty wide margin." 20-some formats, including SVG.
* Xara easier to pick up and run with from a new user perspective. Applying transparent gradients can be done entirely on-screen with click and drag. Same for adding shadows, etc.
* Both have good rendering, but felt Xara rendering output looked slightly better.
* Speed of Xara is where it really shined - it's very fast. Can make lots and lots of layers, transparencies, etc. "Smooth as silk" "Same sort of project on Inkscape lags a bit."
* Inkscape has a lot more effects
The reviewer felt the speed and ease of picking it up gave Xara an edge, unless you're a professional graphics guy.
Bryce