How to Install Inkscape on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04

Inkscape, a premier open-source vector graphics editor, is a compelling choice for those aiming to install it on Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish or its older stable release Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa. Renowned for its precision and adaptability, Inkscape offers tools that rival even the most premium software, making it a favorite among graphic designers and illustrators.

Key Advantages of Inkscape:

• Cost-Effective: Being open-source, Inkscape is free, granting users access to top-tier vector graphic tools without financial constraints.
• Cross-Platform Availability: Inkscape’s compatibility spans across various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring a uniform experience for users across platforms.
• Customization Galore: Tailor Inkscape to your liking with its myriad customization options, ranging from UI themes to keyboard shortcuts.
• Feature-Rich: Equipped with an expansive feature set, from advanced path tools to intricate text manipulation, Inkscape facilitates the creation of intricate vector designs.
• Community-Driven: The vibrant Inkscape community ensures regular software updates, feature additions, and many resources for beginners and experts.

Distinctive Attributes of Inkscape:

• SVG Centric: At its core, Inkscape thrives on the SVG format, adeptly managing intricate graphics and animations.
• Commitment to Open Standards: Focusing on open standards, Inkscape guarantees seamless compatibility with various graphic tools and browsers.
• Extensible Nature: Enhance Inkscape’s capabilities with its support for diverse extensions, which can be crafted using languages like Python or Perl.
• Integrated XML Editor: Dive deeper into your designs with Inkscape’s built-in XML editor, allowing direct edits to SVG source code for granular control.

To harness the full potential of Inkscape on your Ubuntu system, the subsequent guide will elucidate the installation process on Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish or Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa, utilizing methods like apt, flatpak, or snap. For those on short-term Ubuntu releases, the LTS installation approach delineated here remains applicable unless the release has reached its end-of-life.

Install Inkscape on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 via APT

Step 1: Update Ubuntu System Packages Before Inkscape Installation

Before installing Inkscape, you must update your Ubuntu system to ensure you have the latest packages and security updates. To do this, execute the following command in your terminal:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install Inkscape on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 via APT Command

There are two methods for installing Inkscape using APT. You can install the version available in the Ubuntu repository or add the Inkscape PPA for the latest stable or nightly version.

Method 1: Install Inkscape from Ubuntu Repository

Inkscape is available in the default Ubuntu repository. This version is recommended for users who need a stable version for basic usage and do not require the latest features. Note that Ubuntu LTS releases may not have the most recent updates for Inkscape.

To install Inkscape from the Ubuntu repository, enter the following command in your terminal:

sudo apt install inkscape

Method 2: Install Inkscape on Ubuntu via Inkscape PPA

For users who want the latest stable version of Inkscape without using Flatpak or Snap, you can import the Inkscape PPA. You can choose between the stable PPA or the nightly PPA.

First, ensure that the required dependencies are installed by executing the following command:

sudo apt install software-properties-common apt-transport-https -y

To import the stable Inkscape PPA, run the following command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:inkscape.dev/stable -y

For those who prefer the nightly version, use this command instead:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:inkscape.dev/trunk -y

Import only one PPA. If you import both, the system will automatically select the higher version, the development version.

After adding the desired PPA, update your package list to reflect the new changes:

sudo apt update

Finally, install Inkscape using the following command:

To install Inkscape stable version on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04, run the following command:

sudo apt install inkscape -y

Alternatively, to install the Inkscape Development version on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04, run the following command:

sudo apt install inkscape-trunk -y

When installing the development version of Inkscape, it’s critical to use the inkscape-trunk install command. Using the standard inkscape command will not install it.

Install Inkscape on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 via Flatpak and Flathub

This section will explore an alternative method to install Inkscape using the Flatpak package manager. Flatpak is a popular option, similar to Snap, featured across many Linux distributions as a third-party installation package manager for obtaining the latest software packages.

Step 1: Enable Flathub For Inkscape Installation on Ubuntu

Before installing Inkscape through Flatpak, you must enable the Flathub repository, the primary source for Flatpak applications. To enable Flathub, execute the following command in your terminal:

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

This command adds the Flathub repository to your Flatpak configuration, ensuring you have access to various applications, including Inkscape.

Step 2: Install Inkscape on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 via Flatpak Command

With Flathub enabled, you can now install Inkscape using the flatpak install command. Run the following command in your terminal:

flatpak install flathub org.inkscape.Inkscape

This command installs Inkscape from the Flathub repository, providing you with the latest version of the application.

If your system does not have Flatpak installed, please refer to our own guide on How to Install Flatpak on Ubuntu for step-by-step instructions on installing the most recent supported version of Flatpak.

Install Inkscape on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 via Snap

This last method will demonstrate installing Inkscape using the Snapcraft package manager. Snapcraft is widely used across various Linux distributions and comes pre-installed on Ubuntu systems unless removed previously.

Step 1: Install Snap Core

First, let’s ensure the Snap Core is installed to avoid conflicts. The Snap Core is essential for managing Snap packages on your system. Run the following command in your terminal:

sudo snap install core

Step 2: Enable Classic Snap Support

Some packages, including Inkscape, are available as classic snaps, requiring additional permissions to access system resources. To enable classic snap support on your system, you need to create a symlink with the following command:

sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snap

This command links the /var/lib/snapd/snap directory to /snap, enabling your system to recognize and manage classic snap packages.

Step 3: Install Inkscape on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 via Snap Command

Now that your system is ready for classic snap packages, you can proceed with installing Inkscape using the snap install command. Execute the following command in your terminal:

sudo snap install inkscape

By running this command, you will install the Inkscape snap package, providing you with the latest stable version of the application.

Launch Inkscape on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04

Congratulations! Now that you have successfully installed Inkscape on your system, it’s time to learn how to launch the application using various methods, depending on your installation type.

CLI Method to Launch Inkscape on Ubuntu

For users who have installed Inkscape using the APT or PPA methods, you can launch the application by typing the following command in your terminal:

inkscape

If you have installed Inkscape using the Flatpak method, you must use a different command to launch the application. Enter the following command in your terminal:

flatpak run org.inkscape.Inkscape

For users who have installed Inkscape as a Snap package, you can launch the application using the command below:

snap run inkscape

GUI Method to Launch Inkscape on Ubuntu

While launching Inkscape from the terminal is helpful in some cases, most desktop users will prefer to launch the application using their desktop environment. To do this, follow the path below:

Activities > Show Applications > Inkscape

Tips on Getting Started with Inkscape on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04

Now that you have Inkscape installed and are familiar with launching it let’s explore some helpful tips and tricks for getting started with Inkscape on Ubuntu Linux. We’ll cover general tips, customizations, and other essential information to help you make the most of this powerful vector graphics application.

Set Your Preferences with Inkscape on Ubuntu

Inkscape offers a wide range of customization options you can tweak according to your preferences. To access these settings, go to:

Edit > Preferences

Here, you can adjust options related to the interface, input devices, and much more.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts with Inkscape on Ubuntu

To increase your efficiency while working with Inkscape, familiarize yourself with the keyboard shortcuts available in the application. Some common shortcuts include:

• Ctrl + G: Group objects
• Ctrl + Shift + G: Ungroup objects
• Ctrl + D: Duplicate selected objects
• Ctrl + I: Import an image

You can find a comprehensive list of keyboard shortcuts under:

Help > Keys and Mouse

Enable Autosave with Inkscape on Ubuntu

Losing your work due to an unexpected crash or power outage can be frustrating. To minimize the risk of data loss, enable the autosave feature in Inkscape by navigating to:

Edit > Preferences > Input/Output > Autosave

Here, you can enable autosave and customize the interval at which your work is saved automatically.

Utilize the Grid and Guides with Inkscape on Ubuntu

Inkscape provides grids and guides to help you create precise and well-aligned designs. To enable the grid, go to:

View > Grid

To customize the grid settings, navigate to:

File > Document Properties > Grids

To enable guides, click on the rulers at the top or left edge of the canvas and drag them onto your design.

Use Extensions and Add-ons with Inkscape on Ubuntu

Inkscape offers a variety of extensions and add-ons to enhance its functionality. To access and manage these extensions, navigate to:

Extensions > Manage Extensions

You can browse the available extensions and install the ones that best suit your needs.

Customize the User Interface with Inkscape on Ubuntu

Inkscape allows you to change the theme and icon set if you prefer a different look and feel for your workspace. To do so, go to:

Edit > Preferences > Interface > Theme and Icon set

Choose your preferred options, and restart Inkscape for the changes to take effect.

Additional Inkscape Commands with Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04

This section will cover how to update and uninstall Inkscape on Ubuntu Linux, depending on your installation method. Remember that these commands are tailored explicitly for Ubuntu Linux and may not work on other operating systems.

Update Inkscape on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04

You should regularly update the software to keep Inkscape up-to-date and maintain its optimal performance. The update command varies based on the installation method you used initially.

APT Update Method for Inkscape on Ubuntu

If you installed Inkscape using the APT package manager, run the following command to update:

sudo apt upgrade && sudo apt upgrade

Flatpak Update Method for Inkscape on Ubuntu

For those who installed Inkscape through Flatpak, use the following command to update:

flatpak update

Snap Update Method for Inkscape on Ubuntu

If you installed Inkscape using Snap, execute this command to update:

sudo snap update

Remove Inkscape From Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04

If you no longer need Inkscape on your system, follow the instructions below to uninstall it based on your initial installation method.

APT Remove Method for Inkscape on Ubuntu

To remove Inkscape installed via APT, run the following command:

sudo apt remove inkscape

If you installed Inkscape using one of the PPAs, you should also remove the associated repository. For the stable PPA, use this command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:inkscape.dev/stable -y

For the nightly PPA, execute this command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:inkscape.dev/trunk -y

Flatpak Remove Method for Inkscape on Ubuntu

To uninstall Inkscape installed through Flatpak, run the following command:

flatpak uninstall --delete-data org.inkscape.Inkscape

Snap Remove Method for Inkscape on Ubuntu

If you installed Inkscape with Snap, use the following command to remove it:

sudo snap remove inkscape

Conclusion

In summary, we have explored various methods to install Inkscape on Ubuntu Linux, including APT, Flatpak, and Snap. We’ve also discussed launching Inkscape, getting started with the software, and executing additional commands such as updating and uninstalling. Following the instructions, you should be able to successfully install, use, and maintain Inkscape on your Ubuntu Linux system.