Vector graphics editor

A vector graphics editor is a 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 vector graphics editors

• Adobe Illustrator, the de facto standard
• Corel Draw
• Sodipodi, free software included in Gnome Office too.
• OpenOffice.org Draw {SVG output/ no SVG input yet}
• Free W3C Amaya can create and edit SVG graphics and include them in Web pages.
• Xfig
• Sketch
• The drawing tools that come with Microsoft Word can be used as a very simple vector graphics editor. See How to draw a diagram with Microsoft Word for a tutorial.