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storytold/vectorcraft

An open-source vector illustration app written from scratch in pure Rust, running on desktop, FreeBSD and in the browser via WebAssembly.

Open-source alternative to:Adobe Illustrator

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What is it?

VectorCraft is a vector illustration application for drawing with paths, shapes, gradients, type and effects. It covers the everyday workflow of an illustrator: Pen and Direct Selection tools, Pathfinder boolean operations, Shape Builder, Appearance and transparency controls, layers, swatches, and live effects such as blends, envelope distortion and radial repeat. Files are stored in a documented JSON-based native format, and SVG, PDF and PDF-compatible .ai are supported for import and export, along with several raster formats.

The app is built as one Rust codebase with an egui-based interface, and the same UI can run in the browser through WebAssembly. Desktop builds are provided for macOS, Windows, Linux and FreeBSD. Every menu item, tool and dialog can be driven through a JSON control channel and an MCP server, so AI agents such as Claude Code can create, edit and export artwork.

The project is in active development and self-described as alpha. Some areas remain incomplete, including reliable exchange of .ai files, 3D beyond the initial Revolve tool, vertical CJK type and scripting. The interface is available in more than twenty languages.

Key features

  • 01Pen, Direct Selection, Pathfinder and Shape Builder tools for vector drawing.
  • 02Live blends, envelope distortion, radial repeat and 3D Revolve effects.
  • 03Native JSON file format plus SVG, PDF and PDF-compatible .ai import and export.
  • 04PNG, JPEG and WebP export, with Export for Screens.
  • 05JSON control channel and MCP server for driving the app from AI agents.
  • 06Runs natively on macOS, Windows, Linux and FreeBSD, and in the browser via WebAssembly.

Use cases

  • Creating vector posters, logos and illustrations on desktop or in the browser.
  • Converting and editing SVG or PDF artwork in a native Rust application.
  • Letting an AI agent such as Claude Code draw, edit and export vector art through MCP.

Quick start

  1. 1

    Clone the repository from GitHub

    git clone https://github.com/storytold/vectorcraft
  2. 2

    Enter the project folder

    cd vectorcraft
  3. 3

    Build and run the desktop app with Cargo

    cargo run --release -p vectorcraft

Things to know

  • The project is in alpha and under active development.
  • Running it from source requires a Rust toolchain with Cargo.
  • The README's license badge says MIT OR Apache-2.0, while the listed license is Apache-2.0.

In collections

MCP servers

Topics

#graphics#svg#rust#vector-graphics#wasm#drawing#mcp#art#rust-lang#svg-editor

FAQ

What is vectorcraft?
An open-source vector illustration app written from scratch in pure Rust, running on desktop, FreeBSD and in the browser via WebAssembly. VectorCraft is a vector illustration application for drawing with paths, shapes, gradients, type and effects. It covers the everyday workflow of an illustrator: Pen and Direct Selection tools, Pathfinder boolean operations, Shape Builder, Appearance and transparency controls, layers, swatches, and live effects such as blends, envelope distortion and radial repeat. Files are stored in a documented JSON-based native format, and SVG, PDF and PDF-compatible .ai are supported for import and export, along with several raster formats.
Is vectorcraft free to use? What license does it have?
vectorcraft is open source under the Apache-2.0 license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is vectorcraft still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to vectorcraft was on Nov 7, 2026.
What can I use vectorcraft for?
Creating vector posters, logos and illustrations on desktop or in the browser. Converting and editing SVG or PDF artwork in a native Rust application. Letting an AI agent such as Claude Code draw, edit and export vector art through MCP.
How do I install vectorcraft?
Clone the repository from GitHub: git clone https://github.com/storytold/vectorcraft Enter the project folder: cd vectorcraft Build and run the desktop app with Cargo: cargo run --release -p vectorcraft
Where can I get vectorcraft?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/storytold/vectorcraft

Summary generated by AI from the project's README. GitHub stats refresh daily.

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