Gravit Designer

What is Gravit Designer?

Gravit Designer is a full-featured vector graphic design application that bridges the gap between professional design software and accessible free tools. Developed by the Corel Corporation and now integrated as part of CorelDRAW’s ecosystem, Gravit Designer provides comprehensive vector design capabilities through both a web-based platform and downloadable desktop applications. The software offers professional-grade features for creating logos, icons, illustrations, presentations, and UI designs while maintaining an approachable interface that welcomes designers of all skill levels.

What distinguishes Gravit Designer from other free design tools is the depth of its feature set. While many free alternatives offer basic functionality, Gravit Designer includes advanced capabilities like knife tool, path editing, multiple pages, master pages, and comprehensive export options that approach professional software standards. The application works across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS, with a web version that runs in any modern browser, providing exceptional flexibility for designers who work across multiple devices and platforms.

Since its acquisition by Corel, Gravit Designer has become more closely integrated with the professional design tool ecosystem while maintaining its free tier for non-commercial use. The software has developed a loyal following among freelancers, startups, and design students who appreciate professional features without subscription costs. With continued development and the backing of an established graphics software company, Gravit Designer represents a compelling option for vector design that punches above its weight class.

Key Features

• Vector Drawing Tools: Comprehensive pen, pencil, and shape tools for creating precise vector artwork from simple icons to complex illustrations.
• Non-Destructive Editing: Boolean operations and effects remain editable, allowing design changes without destroying underlying geometry.
• Pages and Artboards: Multi-page document support with artboards enables complex projects like brand guidelines and multi-screen UI designs.
• Master Pages: Create reusable elements that update across all instances for consistent design systems and efficient workflows.
• Advanced Typography: Full text controls including character and paragraph styling, text on path, and access to Google Fonts library.
• Knife Tool: Slice objects along custom paths for creative effects and complex shape creation from existing elements.
• Export Options: Export to SVG, PDF, PNG, JPG, and other formats with control over resolution, optimization, and individual element export.
• Cloud Storage: Automatic cloud saving keeps projects synchronized across devices and protected from local storage issues.
• Offline Mode: Desktop applications work offline with automatic sync when connection is restored for uninterrupted workflow.
• Design Libraries: Access built-in icons, illustrations, and elements to accelerate design work and provide starting points.

What’s New

Gravit Designer continues receiving updates that enhance its professional capabilities while maintaining its accessible approach to vector design.

• Performance Improvements: Faster rendering and smoother interaction with complex documents containing many objects and effects.
• Enhanced Path Editing: Improved bezier controls and node manipulation for more precise vector shape creation and editing.
• Updated Export System: More control over export settings including batch export, naming conventions, and platform-specific optimization.
• Improved UI: Refined interface with better organization, clearer tool access, and enhanced dark mode for reduced eye strain.
• Font Improvements: Better font rendering and expanded font library access for more typography options in designs.
• Stability Fixes: Addressed various stability issues for more reliable operation across different platforms and use cases.
• Corel Integration: Improved interoperability with CorelDRAW for users working across both platforms in professional workflows.
• Mobile Responsiveness: Better touch support and interface adaptations for tablet and mobile device usage.

System Requirements

Web Application

• Browser: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge (latest versions)
• Internet: Stable broadband connection
• Display: 1280 x 800 minimum resolution
• WebGL support required

Windows Desktop

• Operating System: Windows 7 or later (64-bit)
• Processor: Intel Core i3 or equivalent
• RAM: 4 GB minimum (8 GB recommended)
• Storage: 300 MB for installation
• Graphics: OpenGL 3.3 compatible

macOS Desktop

• Operating System: macOS 10.12 or later
• Processor: Intel or Apple Silicon
• RAM: 4 GB minimum (8 GB recommended)
• Storage: 300 MB for installation

Linux Desktop

• Distribution: Ubuntu 16.04+ or equivalent
• Processor: 64-bit processor
• RAM: 4 GB minimum
• Storage: 300 MB for installation
• Graphics: OpenGL 3.3 compatible

How to Install Gravit Designer

Web Application (No Installation)

1. Open a supported web browser
2. Navigate to designer.gravit.io
3. Create a free account or sign in
4. Start designing immediately in browser
5. Projects save automatically to cloud

Windows Installation

1. Visit gravit.io and navigate to downloads
2. Download the Windows installer
3. Run the downloaded executable
4. Follow installation wizard prompts
5. Launch from Start menu or desktop
6. Sign in with your Gravit account

# Download from gravit.io website
# Run installer

# Default installation path
dir "C:\Program Files\Gravit Designer"

# Launch
"C:\Program Files\Gravit Designer\Gravit Designer.exe"

macOS Installation

1. Download DMG from gravit.io
2. Open the downloaded DMG file
3. Drag Gravit Designer to Applications
4. Launch from Applications folder
5. Approve security prompt if shown

# Download from gravit.io

# Install from DMG
# Drag to Applications

# Launch
open -a "Gravit Designer"

# Verify
ls /Applications | grep -i gravit

Linux Installation

# Download AppImage from gravit.io

# Make executable
chmod +x GravitDesigner*.AppImage

# Run directly
./GravitDesigner*.AppImage

# Or move to applications
mv GravitDesigner*.AppImage ~/.local/bin/gravit-designer

# Create desktop entry for menu access

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Free Core Features: Professional-grade vector tools available without subscription for personal and non-commercial use.
• Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS, and any web browser for exceptional platform flexibility.
• Professional Features: Multi-page documents, master pages, and advanced path tools rival expensive professional software capabilities.
• Cloud Integration: Automatic cloud saving and sync enables seamless work across devices without manual file management.
• Modern Interface: Clean, intuitive design makes professional features accessible to designers of varying experience levels.
• Offline Capability: Desktop versions work without internet, unlike purely web-based competitors that require connectivity.
• Regular Updates: Active development with regular feature additions and improvements under Corel’s stewardship.

Cons

• Pro Features Require Subscription: Some advanced features like offline mode in the web version require the Pro subscription.
• Performance with Complex Files: Very complex documents can become slow, particularly in the web-based version.
• Limited Community: Smaller user community means fewer tutorials, templates, and third-party resources compared to major software.
• No CMYK: Lacks CMYK color mode for professional print work, limiting use in commercial print production.
• Plugin Ecosystem: No plugin architecture for extending functionality beyond what is built into the application.

Gravit Designer vs Alternatives

Who Should Use Gravit Designer?

Gravit Designer is ideal for:

• Freelance Designers: Independent professionals appreciate professional features without recurring subscription costs eating into project profits.
• Startups: Young companies benefit from capable design tools that scale with their growth without immediate software budget requirements.
• Design Students: Learners gain access to professional-grade tools for education and portfolio building without software costs.
• Multi-Platform Users: Designers working across Windows, Mac, and Linux appreciate consistent experience across all operating systems.
• Remote Teams: Cloud-based workflow enables collaboration and access from anywhere without file synchronization hassles.
• Marketing Professionals: Non-designers creating marketing materials find the interface approachable while delivering professional results.

Gravit Designer may not be ideal for:

• Print Production Specialists: Those requiring CMYK color management and advanced print features need dedicated print-focused software.
• Complex Illustration Work: Artists creating highly detailed illustrations may need more sophisticated brush and effect tools.
• Large File Projects: Users working with very complex documents may encounter performance limitations.
• Plugin-Dependent Workflows: Those relying on third-party extensions need software with plugin ecosystems like Illustrator or Figma.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Gravit Designer Free and Pro?

Gravit Designer Free provides comprehensive vector design tools adequate for most design work. Pro adds features like offline mode for the web version, advanced export options, version history, color spaces beyond RGB, and priority support. Free users can create professional designs but may find Pro features valuable as work becomes more sophisticated or requires offline access through the browser version.

Is Gravit Designer good for logo design?

Yes, Gravit Designer is well-suited for logo design. It provides precise vector tools, shape operations, typography controls, and multiple export formats essential for logo creation. The ability to export as SVG ensures logos scale perfectly for any use. Many designers successfully create professional logos with Gravit Designer, though those requiring CMYK for print should verify color accuracy with printers.

Can Gravit Designer open Illustrator files?

Gravit Designer can import SVG, PDF, and EPS files, which Illustrator can export. Direct .ai file import is not supported, but using these interchange formats allows most artwork to transfer. Complex effects and Illustrator-specific features may not translate perfectly. For best results, convert to SVG in Illustrator before importing to Gravit Designer.

How does Gravit Designer compare to Figma?

Both are capable web-based design tools, but they target different primary uses. Gravit Designer focuses on general vector design including illustrations, logos, and print materials. Figma specializes in UI/UX design with features like prototyping, design systems, and developer handoff. Choose Gravit for general graphic design work and Figma for interface design projects.

Will my projects sync across devices?

Yes, when signed into your Gravit account, projects save automatically to the cloud and sync across all your devices. You can start a design on your desktop, continue on a laptop, and review on a tablet with all changes synchronized. The desktop applications also work offline and sync when connection is restored.

Final Verdict

Gravit Designer has established itself as a genuine professional-grade vector design tool that defies expectations of what free software can offer. The combination of sophisticated features like multi-page documents, master pages, and comprehensive vector tools with cross-platform accessibility creates a compelling package for designers who need capable tools without expensive subscriptions. Corel’s acquisition has brought continued development and stability without sacrificing the accessible free tier.

The software’s greatest strength is delivering professional capabilities to users who might otherwise be limited by budget constraints. Freelancers, startups, students, and marketing teams can produce quality vector work that would historically require expensive software investments. The cloud integration and cross-platform support add practical value for modern workflows that span multiple devices and locations.

Gravit Designer is recommended for freelancers, startups, students, and anyone needing capable vector design tools without subscription costs. Those requiring CMYK print production, very complex illustrations, or plugin ecosystems should consider specialized professional alternatives. For general vector design work, Gravit Designer proves that professional-quality tools can be accessible to everyone, representing excellent value whether using the free tier or Pro subscription.