How to install Inkscape 1.4 on a Chromebook

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In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of installing Inkscape 1.4 on your Chromebook. Inkscape is a powerful, open-source vector graphics editor that's perfect for creating illustrations, logos, and complex designs. By following these steps, you'll be able to harness the full potential of this professional-grade software on your Chromebook.

Compatibility Note

Before we begin, it's important to note that this tutorial is specifically designed for Chromebooks with Intel or AMD CPUs that support Linux Apps. Unfortunately, this method won't work on Chromebooks with ARM64 architecture CPUs. If you're unsure about your Chromebook's specifications, you can check our comprehensive lists of Intel-based Chromebooks and AMD-based Chromebooks.

Video Tutorial

For a visual guide, we've included a video tutorial above. Feel free to follow along with the video as you go through the written instructions below.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Here are the commands you'll need to run in your terminal to install Inkscape 1.4:

  1. sudo apt update
  2. sudo apt install kmenuedit fuse libnss3
  3. wget https://inkscape.org/gallery/item/53678/Inkscape-e7c3feb-x86_64.AppImage
  4. chmod 755 Inkscape-e7c3feb-x86_64.AppImage
  5. ./Inkscape-e7c3feb-x86_64.AppImage
  6. kmenuedit

Let's break down what each of these commands does:

1. Update Package Lists

sudo apt update refreshes your system's package lists. This ensures you're getting the most up-to-date versions of any dependencies we'll need to install.

2. Install Required Packages

sudo apt install kmenuedit fuse libnss3 installs the necessary packages for running Inkscape and adding it to your application menu.

3. Download Inkscape

wget https://inkscape.org/gallery/item/53678/Inkscape-e7c3feb-x86_64.AppImage downloads the Inkscape AppImage file directly from the official Inkscape website.

4. Make the AppImage Executable

chmod 755 Inkscape-e7c3feb-x86_64.AppImage changes the permissions of the AppImage file, making it executable.

5. Run Inkscape

./Inkscape-e7c3feb-x86_64.AppImage launches Inkscape to ensure it's working correctly.

6. Add to Application Menu

kmenuedit opens the menu editor, allowing you to add Inkscape to your application menu for easy access.

Adding Inkscape to Your Application Menu

After running the kmenuedit command:

  1. Choose a category for Inkscape (e.g., Graphics)
  2. Click on "New Item"
  3. Choose a name for the desktop entry (e.g., "Inkscape")
  4. For the command, enter the full path to your Inkscape AppImage
  5. Save the launcher

Now you can launch Inkscape from your application menu just like any other app!

Using Inkscape on Your Chromebook

Remember that when using Inkscape (or any Linux app) on your Chromebook, you'll need to keep your files within the Linux Files section of your file manager. This ensures that Inkscape can access and save your work properly.

About Inkscape

Inkscape is a professional vector graphics editor for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. It's free and open source software that rivals proprietary software like Adobe Illustrator. Whether you're an artist, designer, or just someone who needs to create scalable graphics, Inkscape provides a powerful set of tools to bring your ideas to life.

For more information about Inkscape and its capabilities, visit the official Inkscape website.

Additional Resources

To help you get started with Inkscape on your Chromebook, we've prepared a Google Doc with additional tips and tricks. Feel free to reference this document as you begin your Inkscape journey.

Chromebook Resources

If you're interested in learning more about Linux apps on Chromebooks or are in the market for a new Chromebook, check out these resources:

We hope this guide helps you get Inkscape up and running on your Chromebook. Happy designing!

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