Opening and Saving Files

Inkscape » Files » Opening and Saving Files

Inkscape drawings are stored in SVG files. Upon starting, Inkscape normally creates a new blank drawing. The parameters used for this drawing can be changed by altering the file inkscape/templates/default.svg; see the section called “Custom Templates” in Chapter 20, Customization. You can also add your own templates to the template directory.

Depending on how your operating system is set up, a preexisting Inkscape drawing may be opened by clicking on the drawing's icon or by giving the drawing's filename as a command-line argument. Drawings in other formats may be opened the same way if Inkscape supports the format (see next section).

The following commands for working with files are found under the File menu:

File → New: Create a new drawing after Inkscape has been started. The submenu allows you to choose between various sized drawings. Inkscape will automatically give your new drawing a temporary name. The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+N will open a new file with the default size (template), as will clicking on the icon in the Command Bar.
File → Open... (Ctrl+O): Open an existing file. Multiple files can be opened at the same time by using Shift+Left Mouse Click to select more than one file from the file opening dialog. This command can also be used to create a new Inkscape drawing from a file with a non-Inkscape format. The file types that can be opened are the same as those listed in the Importing Files section below.
New in v0.46:
The Open dialog includes a folder of Inkscape example drawings under the name examples.
File → Open Recent: Open a recently used file. Choose file from list in submenu.
File → Revert: Revert a file to remove all changes made in the current Inkscape session.
File → Save (Ctrl+S): Save your drawing to a file.
File → Save As... (Shift+Ctrl+S): Save your drawing to a file with a new name.
New in v0.46.
The Save As dialog includes a folder for Inkscape templates under the name templates. Saving a drawing with the name default.svg in this directory will replace the default template (the file opened when Ctrl+N is used). Saving in this directory under a different name will add the file as a template under the new name in the File → New submenu.
New in v0.45.
File → Save a Copy... (Shift+Ctrl+Alt+S): Save your drawing to a file with a new name but keep the old file name (and type) for future saves.