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Show HN: Graphite, a Blender-inspired 2D procedural design Rust app

(graphite.rs)
783 points Keavon | 9 comments | 15 Oct 24 22:32 UTC | HN request time: 0.798s | source | bottom

For the past three years I've been building what I hope will be the next Blender, tackling the lack of any good 2D design or image editing tools outside the Adobe monopoly. This was our first year participating in Google Summer of Code and this Q3 update includes the big payoff from that, covering the most progress we've made so far as a project. If you're a Rust dev, consider getting involved as we apply for the next GSoC in the new year— you could be our intern next summer :)

Q3 progress report: https://graphite.rs/blog/graphite-progress-report-q3-2024/

1. bangaladore ◴[15 Oct 24 23:25 UTC] No.41854144[source]▶
I had to re-read your intro paragraph a few times to understand what this is supposed to be.

I read it as a replacement for Blender, but upon testing it I was confused as everything was 2D and looks like Photoshop.

But no, you meant the next Photoshop, while referencing Blender as a popular open source version of closed-source 3D modeling/rendering software? Is that right?

replies(2): >>41854195 #>>41854536 #
2. Keavon ◴[15 Oct 24 23:33 UTC] No.41854195[source]▶
Upon rereading that paragraph, I suppose I didn't write that as clearly as I'd meant to. Blender is darn near perfect and there'd be no reason to replace it. So yes, as you figured out, I'm referring to becoming a second Blender but this time in the 2D realm: a generalist tool that uses actual innovation to catch up and then surpass its commercial competitors.
replies(2): >>41854958 #>>41861397 #
3. underbiding ◴[16 Oct 24 00:36 UTC] No.41854536[source]▶
but its not really photoshop either because its targeting vector based graphics, whereas Photoshop is mainly raster-based.

I'm not up on Adobe (I use InkScape which is sort of the default open-source / free alternative) but I guess Adobe Illustrator is the closest analogue here.

replies(1): >>41858032 #
4. crabmusket ◴[16 Oct 24 02:10 UTC] No.41854958[source]▶
Graphite is to Photoshop as Blender is to 3DS Max?
replies(2): >>41855028 #>>41856619 #
5. Keavon ◴[16 Oct 24 02:24 UTC] No.41855028{3}[source]▶
Roughly speaking, that's the plan, with next year's roadmap focused on raster (image and raw photo) editing. Currently, Illustrator would be the more appropriate comparison instead of Photoshop, because vector editing is the primary feature set we've built so far.
6. timeon ◴[16 Oct 24 07:50 UTC] No.41856619{3}[source]▶
Reminds me more Affinity Designer than Photoshop. Since it is also for vectors. In Adobe land you need two apps for this. (Well actually three - omnipresent Creative-Cloud eating the resources in background.)
7. mirekrusin ◴[16 Oct 24 11:53 UTC] No.41858032[source]▶
Author says raster focus next year, intention to support both and frankly it sounds like great idea.
replies(1): >>41858785 #
8. aDyslecticCrow ◴[16 Oct 24 13:24 UTC] No.41858785{3}[source]▶
Procedural node-based raster editing can become insane. Do things vectors cannot, but with infinite resolution. There are already fractal examples on the website which would murder any vector renderer.
9. germandiago ◴[16 Oct 24 17:10 UTC] No.41861397[source]▶
Good luck, you are going to need it.