inkview

Preview an SVG

$ inkview [path/to/file.svg]

$ inkview [path/to/file1.svg path/to/file2.svg ...]

inkview [OPTION...] [FILE.svg]

--help, -h
    Display help message and exit

--version, -v
    Output version information and exit

--shell, -y
    Start in interactive shell mode (stdin commands)

--zoom=
    Set initial zoom level (default: 100)

--rotate=
    Set initial rotation angle

--width=
    Set window width

--height=
    Set window height

--antialias=(true|false)
    Enable/disable antialiasing (default: true)

--export-png=
    Export current view to PNG file

--export-pdf=
    Export to PDF

--export-ps=
    Export to PostScript

--export-eps=
    Export to Encapsulated PostScript

--export-emf=
    Export to EMF (Windows metafile)

--export-plain-svg=
    Export to plain SVG (no Inkscape extensions)

--help-gtk
    Show GTK command-line options

Inkview is a standalone, fast SVG image viewer bundled with the Inkscape vector graphics suite on Linux. It renders Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) files interactively, supporting smooth zooming, panning, and rotation via mouse or keyboard. Designed for quick previews, it has a minimal footprint compared to the full Inkscape editor, starting almost instantly.

Inkview handles most SVG 1.1 features, including paths, gradients, text, and Inkscape-specific extensions. Users can export the current view to raster (PNG) or vector formats (PDF, PS, EPS, EMF, plain SVG). Antialiasing ensures crisp rendering, and options allow customizing window size, initial zoom, and more. Shell mode enables scripted control via stdin commands, ideal for automation or embedding.

Perfect for developers, designers, or anyone needing rapid SVG inspection without editor overhead. It supports single or multiple files, with drag-and-drop in some desktops.

Limited support for complex SVG animations, filters, or scripting; use inkscape for full features. May require Inkscape libraries installed.

With --shell, send commands like 'zoom 200', 'rotate 90', 'export-png out.png', or 'quit' via stdin for batch processing.
Example: echo 'zoom 150' | inkview --shell file.svg

Supports multiple SVG arguments; use mouse wheel or keys to switch between loaded files.

Introduced around 2004 with early Inkscape releases (v0.4+), inkview was created for efficient SVG previewing. Maintained through Inkscape 1.3+, emphasizing speed over editing.

inkscape(1), rsvg-view(1), eog(1), display(1)