Mac software for svg creation

[Bertotti]

I am so close to pulling the trigger on a Shaper Origin. I use a mac though and I am curious who might be using one also that uses a Shaper Origin. I googled and see several programs for mac that can create svg but I have absolutely no knowledge of them. Any thoughts welcome.

 

[rmhinden]

I am so close to pulling the trigger on a Shaper Origin. I use a mac though and I am curious who might be using one also that uses a Shaper Origin. I googled and see several programs for mac that can create svg but I have absolutely no knowledge of them. Any thoughts welcome.

I think most of the common design programs run on that Mac.  This include Fusion 360, Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator, and Affinity Designer.  I think Sketchup can also be used, but may be a little more complicated. 

Bob

 

[tjbnwi]

I use Fusion 360. There is a Shaper add on you load into the program. It will be found in the Tools area. I have found you need to extrude what you want to export. This could be a “just me” issue, I’m haven’t asked about it anywhere.

The add on for Sketch Up works pretty well from what I’ve been told.

Tom

 

[Gjarman12]

I think the most important one is the one with resources if you’re learning. Affinity Designer and Fusion360 have a lot of YouTube videos and the company has their own stuff you can learn from. If most of your stuff is 2d (ex. engraving, templates) Affinity is easier to learn in my experience, although exports to shaper are a little annoying. I found Vectornator (a comparable to Affinity Designer) pretty easy and actually prefer it, but when I wanted to do more complicated stuff I found more learning resources available for Affinity Designer. I go back and forth between designing on the iPad and Mac and Fusion doesn’t have the ability to create on an iPad, so I’ve kind of abandoned Fusion. Also, I don’t find the 3D (I use Shapr3D when needed) as helpful as I thought, it’s not hard making the pieces flat in 2d software like affinity and vectornator.

 

[jarbroen]

As mentioned, Fusion 360, Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator, etc.

I use a MacBook and have been super happy with Fusion 360 and Illustrator to create SVG files for use with the Shaper Origin.

 

[WillAdams]

If the Shaper Origin accepts G-Code you might find Carbide Create (ob. discl., I work for the company) of interest --- if you're not accustomed to vector drawing you might find:
https://willadams.gitbook.io/design-into-3d/2d-drawing

of interest.

Otherwise, for free software there's Inkscape, GraviT, and maybe Cenon (not sure if it writes out SVGs or no --- it does quite well at making PDFs), for commercial software, Serif's Affinity Designer is arguably the best value.

 

[cider]

I use a Mac and bought Affinity Designer for creating Shaper SVGs. I like the software and have used it for other things. IMO, it’s easier to learn than Inkscape.

 

[Bertotti]

Thanks, everyone! I will check them all out.

For 55$ for the mac version, it seems Affinity is the way I will go. Are there other added on costs I have missed that could raise the cost of this particular software?

 

[WillAdams]

The only additional cost is if you wish to buy the printed Workbook/manual.

If you're unfamiliar w/ the concepts of vector editing might want to get a book such as:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8763576-vector-basic-training

 

[jeh]

As mentioned, Fusion 360, Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator, etc.

I use a MacBook and have been super happy with Fusion 360 and Illustrator to create SVG files for use with the Shaper Origin.

I futzed with Fusion 360 and it is most likely not natively written for MacOS. Back in the day the phrase was "smells like Java". This could be that or "smells like Electron". Neither are desirable solutions.

I'll readily admit that I might be wrong, but if I am it definitely is poorly written.

 

[Bertotti]

The only additional cost is if you wish to buy the printed Workbook/manual.

If you're unfamiliar w/ the concepts of vector editing might want to get a book such as:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8763576-vector-basic-training

I have the trial I hope I have some time to try it out. I may have been better to wait until I knew I had time but I am impatient sometimes. I think I would get the workbook.

 

[jarbroen]

As mentioned, Fusion 360, Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator, etc.

I use a MacBook and have been super happy with Fusion 360 and Illustrator to create SVG files for use with the Shaper Origin.

I futzed with Fusion 360 and it is most likely not natively written for MacOS. Back in the day the phrase was "smells like Java". This could be that or "smells like Electron". Neither are desirable solutions.

I'll readily admit that I might be wrong, but if I am it definitely is poorly written.

Which part is poorly written?
I've used the app quite a bit and haven't noted any obvious 'porting' issues.  In the days of Intel Mac there are a lot fewer quirks to iron out between Windows and Mac compatibility.  Mostly, around keyboard shortcuts or navigation.
Other than taking a long time to close or hanging on close, I haven't had any issues with the software.

 

[bertv]

I futzed with Fusion 360 and it is most likely not natively written for MacOS. Back in the day the phrase was "smells like Java". This could be that or "smells like Electron". Neither are desirable solutions.

I'll readily admit that I might be wrong, but if I am it definitely is poorly written.

Yeah, probably Electron. The last version of 1Password went Electron. Bad things are happening…

On topic: Affinity Designer is the way to go. You support an upcoming firm, make Adobe work harder (for hopefully less money) and get to use a really fun app w/o the subscription hassle.

 

[grobkuschelig]

Thanks, everyone! I will check them all out.

For 55$ for the mac version, it seems Affinity is the way I will go. Are there other added on costs I have missed that could raise the cost of this particular software?

If you can get by on the demo for some time, it might be worth the wait.
Affinity have „Sales“ on their Software quite frequently…

 

[Peter Kelly]

Adobe Illustrator if you won't ultimately be needing any 3D modelling capabilities. Free 10-day trial, $21/month after that.

 

[Bertotti]

A little time this morning I was messing around with the Affinity pro program, definitely need to get the workbook it might be intuitive if you have worked with this before but I haven't so I need somewhere to start. I was playing with texts and I could get some things done but nothing was quite right.

The SO will have to wait a bit longer because the SO (wife) is getting a wrist operation so I have to pay for that first. I will however get the Affinity Workbook and start on it. No need for an expensive tool until I can use the software.