What is Graphite used for?

Graphite is a community-built, open-source vector and raster graphics editor in alpha that combines layers with a node-based procedural engine for design, art and motion graphics. It is a good fit for graphic design and illustration, procedural and generative art, and experimenting with node-based design workflows.

Is Graphite open source?

Yes. Graphite is open source under the Apache-2.0 licence. Its source code is on GitHub at GraphiteEditor/Graphite and is written mainly in Rust.

Yes. Graphite is open source, so the software itself is free to use.

Can I self-host Graphite?

Yes. Graphite can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure.

What is Graphite an alternative to?

Graphite is an open-source alternative to Affinity, CorelDRAW, Photopea and Adobe Photoshop. Other open-source alternatives to Affinity include GIMP, Inkscape and Scribus.

Is Graphite actively maintained?

Yes. The most recent commit to Graphite was on 2 October 2026. The project has 27k stars on GitHub.

Graphite: open-source alternative to Affinity, CorelDRAW

About Graphite

Graphite is a free and open-source 2D content creation application, described as a procedural toolbox. It started life as a vector editor and is growing into a general graphics tool that handles both vector and raster work, with a nondestructive workflow in which layer-based compositing meets node-based generative design. It is currently in alpha.

The editor's tools are friendly wrappers around a node graph at its core, and the project says its architecture resembles a game engine more than a typical creative application. Further capabilities on the roadmap include VFX compositing, desktop publishing, digital painting, motion graphics and photo editing. Topics tag it as a graphics editor, SVG editor and procedural drawing tool, and it is written in Rust.

Graphite is Apache-2.0 licensed and community driven. Its website offers a newsletter, and volunteers and donors support the work. Because it is alpha software, features and file formats may change, which makes it more of an interesting project to follow and try than a drop-in replacement for mature design suites today.

Key features

Vector and raster graphics in one app
Node-based procedural graphics engine
Nondestructive layer-based compositing
Tools built on a node graph core
Roadmap for photo editing and motion graphics
Written in Rust

Good fit for

→Graphic design and illustration
→Procedural and generative art
→Experimenting with node-based design workflows

Built with: Rust
Tags: graphics-editor; vector-graphics; design; node-based; procedural; rust; svg; digital-art; motion-graphics

Graphite: questions and answers

What is Graphite used for?: Graphite is a community-built, open-source vector and raster graphics editor in alpha that combines layers with a node-based procedural engine for design, art and motion graphics. It is a good fit for graphic design and illustration, procedural and generative art, and experimenting with node-based design workflows.
Is Graphite open source?: Yes. Graphite is open source under the Apache-2.0 licence. Its source code is on GitHub at GraphiteEditor/Graphite and is written mainly in Rust.
Is Graphite free?: Yes. Graphite is open source, so the software itself is free to use.
Can I self-host Graphite?: Yes. Graphite can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure.
What is Graphite an alternative to?: Graphite is an open-source alternative to Affinity, CorelDRAW, Photopea and Adobe Photoshop. Other open-source alternatives to Affinity include GIMP, Inkscape and Scribus.
Is Graphite actively maintained?: Yes. The most recent commit to Graphite was on 2 October 2026. The project has 27k stars on GitHub.