Vector graphics editor

computer program that allows users to compose and edit vector graphics pictures interactively on the computer screen (compare with MetaPost) and save them in one of many popular vector graphics formats such as .CDR, PDF, WMF or SVG. The main difference between this sort of application and those used in Computer Assisted Drafting is that the drawings produced by a vector graphics editor are mostly decorative and are neither intended to represent a real-world structure nor to act as the blueprint for one. Computationally speaking, however, the two processes are closely related.

Well-known commercial vector graphics editors

• Adobe Illustrator, the de facto standard
• CorelDraw
• Macromedia Flash
• Macromedia FreeHand
• is a shareware vector & bitmap editor, with SVG export.
• Microsoft Word has a drawing tool that can be used as a very simple vector graphics editor. See How to draw a diagram with Microsoft Word for a tutorial.

Well-known free vector graphics editors

• Amaya (from W3C) can create and edit SVG graphics and include them in Web pages.
• Dia is a diagram editor with EPS & SVG export.
• Inkscape
• OpenOffice.org Draw {SVG output/ no SVG input yet}
• Sketch
• Sodipodi (included in too)
• Xfig