After eight months of development Akira 0.0.14 vector graphics editor new version released which is optimized for creating user interface designs. The ultimate goal of the project is to create a professional tool for front-end designers, something similar to Sketch, Figma or Adobe XD, but focused on using Linux as the main platform.
Unlike Glade and Qt Creator, Akira is not designed to generate code or working interfaces using specific toolkits, but instead aims to solve more general tasks, how to create interface designs, rendering and vector graphics. Akira does not overlap with Inkscape, as Inkscape is primarily focused on print design, not interface development, and it also differs in its approach to organizing workflow.
akira uses its own ».akira» format to save files, which is a zip file with SVG files and a local git repository with changes. Image export to SVG, JPG, PNG, and PDF is supported. Akira presents each shape as a separate outline with two levels of editing:
- The first level (shape editing) is included during selection and provides tools for typical transformations like rotation, resizing, etc.
- The second level (editing a path) allows you to move, add, and remove nodes from the path of the shape using Bezier curves, as well as close or break paths.
Main news of Akira 0.0.14
In this new version of Akira 0.0.14 it is highlighted that a complete redesign of the library architecture was worked on to work with the canvas.
Another of the changes that stands out, he implemented the Pixel Grid editing mode for precise positioning of the elements when zooming. The grid is turned on by pressing the button on the panel and turns off automatically when the scale is less than 800%, plus the ability to customize the colors of the pixel grid lines was provided.
We can also find that support for guides has been implemented to control snapping to the limits of existing shapes (Snap Guides). Supports setting the color and threshold for the appearance of guides.
Of the other changes that stand out from this new version:
- Added support for resizing elements in all directions.
- The ability to add images is provided by dragging with the mouse from the image tool.
- Added the ability to process multiple fill and outline colors for each element.
- Added a mode to scale elements in relation to the center.
- The ability to transfer images to the canvas is included.
- Performance optimizations made.
In the near future, builds will be prepared in the form of Elementary OS packages and Snap packages. The interface is designed according to the guidelines prepared by the Elementary OS project and focuses on high performance, intuition and a modern look.
How to install Akira on Ubuntu and derivatives?
As we mentioned at the beginning, it is important to note that Akira still in development stage and the current compilations offered may contain errors.
But for those who are interested In knowing the project, testing it or even if you can support it you can download and install Akira using any of the methods that we share below.
Generally for any distribution that is based on the last two LTS versions of Ubuntu must already have the support of Snap and with that they will be able to install Akira.
In the case of those that are Elementary OS users can download and install the application directly from AppCenter.
Now, going back to the others, we just have to open a terminal and in it we are going to type the following command:
sudo snap install akira --edge
In the remote case that you don't have snap installed and enabled on your system, you can do this by typing the following:
sudo apt update sudo apt install snapd
And you're done with it, you can run the previous command to install Akira.
Finally, another simple method to be able to install Akira in our system is with the help of Flatpak packages, for this we must have this support installed and enabled.
To install Akira from Flatpak we just have to open a terminal and in it we are going to type the following:
flatpak remote-add flathub-beta https://flathub.org/beta-repo/flathub-beta.flatpakrepo flatpak install akira