Vectropy
Encyclopedia
Vector Architect is a vector graphics editor
designed by Owl Island Software.
, but was specifically designed to create and edit XAML
vector graphics for WPF
and Silverlight applications. Vector Architect itself was based upon the WPF
framework, using .NET Framework 3.5 to provide both its WYSIWYG
front-end, and underlying editing engine.
In many ways, Vector Architect was similar to Microsoft Expression Design
, offering manipulation of native WPF
objects, as opposed to performing conversion
to XAML
. Editing native objects is often necessary as XAML
does not have exactly the same feature set as other popular vector image formats such as SVG and SWF
, making the conversion process lossy in many cases. Although primarily focused on XAML
, Vector Architect also supported the generation of PNG images with alpha channels, as well as the creation of icons containing alpha-blended images at multiple resolutions.
. Although pre-release licensing prevents widespread use, some Silverlight projects that make use of Vector Architect have been released.
The first version of Vector Architect was released on 27 September 2007 to coincide with the release of Silverlight 1.0 and Visual Studio 2008. Vector Architect has since been updated to version 1.5, adding a new user interface, several new tools, and a library of preset shapes. An upgrade from version 1.x to 1.5 was made available free of charge, and an upgrade package to version 2.0 was made available to purchasers of the initial version. Early versions of the application were released under the name "Vectropy".
Vector Architect was originally available for WPF
-capable platforms, such as Microsoft Windows
XP
, Windows Vista
, Windows Server 2003
, Windows Server 2008.
are licensed to the purchaser for any purpose except isolated redistribution or resale.
Vector graphics editor
A vector graphics editor is a computer program that allows users to compose and edit vector graphics images interactively on a computer and save them in one of many popular vector graphics formats, such as EPS, PDF, WMF, SVG, or VML....
designed by Owl Island Software.
Functionality
Vector Architect was not a general-purpose vector graphics editorVector graphics editor
A vector graphics editor is a computer program that allows users to compose and edit vector graphics images interactively on a computer and save them in one of many popular vector graphics formats, such as EPS, PDF, WMF, SVG, or VML....
, but was specifically designed to create and edit XAML
XAML
Extensible Application Markup Language is a declarative XML-based language created by Microsoft used for initializing structured values and objects. It is available under Microsoft's Open Specification Promise...
vector graphics for WPF
WPF
WPF may refer to:* WebSphere Partition Facility, an IBM facility* Western People's Front, a political party in Sri Lanka active in the Western Province...
and Silverlight applications. Vector Architect itself was based upon the WPF
WPF
WPF may refer to:* WebSphere Partition Facility, an IBM facility* Western People's Front, a political party in Sri Lanka active in the Western Province...
framework, using .NET Framework 3.5 to provide both its WYSIWYG
WYSIWYG
WYSIWYG is an acronym for What You See Is What You Get. The term is used in computing to describe a system in which content displayed onscreen during editing appears in a form closely corresponding to its appearance when printed or displayed as a finished product...
front-end, and underlying editing engine.
In many ways, Vector Architect was similar to Microsoft Expression Design
Microsoft Expression Design
Microsoft Expression Design is Microsoft's commercial professional illustration vector and raster graphic design tool for web images based on Creature House Expression, which was acquired by Microsoft in 2003. It is part of the Microsoft Expression Studio suite...
, offering manipulation of native WPF
WPF
WPF may refer to:* WebSphere Partition Facility, an IBM facility* Western People's Front, a political party in Sri Lanka active in the Western Province...
objects, as opposed to performing conversion
Data conversion
Data conversion is the conversion of computer data from one format to another. Throughout a computer environment, data is encoded in a variety of ways. For example, computer hardware is built on the basis of certain standards, which requires that data contains, for example, parity bit checks....
to XAML
XAML
Extensible Application Markup Language is a declarative XML-based language created by Microsoft used for initializing structured values and objects. It is available under Microsoft's Open Specification Promise...
. Editing native objects is often necessary as XAML
XAML
Extensible Application Markup Language is a declarative XML-based language created by Microsoft used for initializing structured values and objects. It is available under Microsoft's Open Specification Promise...
does not have exactly the same feature set as other popular vector image formats such as SVG and SWF
SWF
SWF is an Adobe Flash file format used for multimedia, vector graphics and ActionScript. Originating with FutureWave Software, then transferred to Macromedia, and then coming under the control of Adobe, SWF files can contain animations or applets of varying degrees of interactivity and function.,...
, making the conversion process lossy in many cases. Although primarily focused on XAML
XAML
Extensible Application Markup Language is a declarative XML-based language created by Microsoft used for initializing structured values and objects. It is available under Microsoft's Open Specification Promise...
, Vector Architect also supported the generation of PNG images with alpha channels, as well as the creation of icons containing alpha-blended images at multiple resolutions.
Existing uses
Vector Architect has gained a user base as an alternative to the first-party XAML tools provided by MicrosoftMicrosoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
. Although pre-release licensing prevents widespread use, some Silverlight projects that make use of Vector Architect have been released.
Availability
Vector Architect no longer appears available for purchase, however downloads are available for previous customers.The first version of Vector Architect was released on 27 September 2007 to coincide with the release of Silverlight 1.0 and Visual Studio 2008. Vector Architect has since been updated to version 1.5, adding a new user interface, several new tools, and a library of preset shapes. An upgrade from version 1.x to 1.5 was made available free of charge, and an upgrade package to version 2.0 was made available to purchasers of the initial version. Early versions of the application were released under the name "Vectropy".
Vector Architect was originally available for WPF
WPF
WPF may refer to:* WebSphere Partition Facility, an IBM facility* Western People's Front, a political party in Sri Lanka active in the Western Province...
-capable platforms, such as Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
XP
Windows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
, Windows Vista
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
, Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2003 is a server operating system produced by Microsoft, introduced on 24 April 2003. An updated version, Windows Server 2003 R2, was released to manufacturing on 6 December 2005...
, Windows Server 2008.
Licensing
Vector Architect is licensed on a per-user, perpetual license basis. The EULA also states that all included preset shapesClip art
Clip art, in the graphic arts, refers to pre-made images used to illustrate any medium. Today, clip art is used extensively in both personal and commercial projects, ranging from home-printed greeting cards to commercial candles. Clip art comes in many forms, both electronic and printed. However,...
are licensed to the purchaser for any purpose except isolated redistribution or resale.