Inkscape 0.43 is now available thanks to the work of many developers and the sponsorship of Google's Summer of Code program which sponsored four students to work on features for Inkscape. The main new features in this release are:

• Connectors: Objects can be connected using auto-routing lines.
• Inkboard Collaborative Editing: You can connect to other Inkscape users over a network and edit a shared document.
• Pressure and Tilt Sensitivity: The calligraphy tool may now use a tablet pen with pressure and tilt support.
• Better Node Editing: You can now drag, bend, and stretch a Bezier curve by any point and not only by a node.
• New Extensions: There are now extensions for envelope distortion, whirling, and adding nodes.
• SVG Compliance: There is now additional support for the viewBox element improving SVG compatibility.
• There is an online book, "A Guide to Inkscape", available here, which has been updated to cover the 0.43 features.

Currently the Inkscape community is working on the next release which will focus on stability and closing bugs. The next release will add an outline viewing mode, a plan towards SVG Tiny compliance, a fill and stroke interface to the bottom toolbar, and more application refinements.

Inkscape is open to all types of contributions by people with all different skill levels from around the world. We need translators, web designers, people to help answer questions, and developers to help us reach our goal of SVG compliance. Visit Inkscape.org and come help us Draw Freely.

Program Information Category: Multimedia Type: Free Version: 0.43 Size: Works on: Windows, Mac, Linux Product page: here