Inkscape for mac (64 bit)

[ronanwatts]

Hi I know this topic has been mentioned several times over last few years but nothing seems to be being done despite reassurance and there is only a few weeks left now before inkscape will no longer work on mac computers.

I downloaded inkscape as an alternative to illustrator as i have an old 32 bit version that will cease to work on the next update. On the download page it says the latest version of inkscape for mac (0.92.2) (0.92.4 doesnt seem to be available for mac yet) is 64 bit but i still get the warning that it will no longer work after next update because it is only 32 bit. I checked on my system information and indeed it says inkscape is not a 64 bit version
Screenshot 2019-05-25 at 06.11.34.png
(743.63 kB . 2786x1450)
(viewed 1091 times).

Is this going to be sorted in next few weeks or do I need to find another programme to use on a mac?

[brynn]

Where did you hear such a rumor?

The last stable DMG version of Inkscape that works on Macs is 0.92.2 (https://inkscape.org/release/inkscape-0.92.2).  You can get the current stable version, if you know how to use MacPorts (https://inkscape.org/ru/release/inkscape-0.92.4/mac-os-x/macports/dl/).  It has no end of life date that I've ever heard of....in fact, as far as I know, no Inkscape version has ever had an end of life.  Further, there's a small team working on a 1.0 version for Macs, to go along with version 1.0 for Linux and Windows.

So Inkscape is NOT about to stop working on Macs.  Not as far as I know.  And I think if the Inkscape community knew anything about it, they would be informing users.

I can't speak to the 32 bit vs 64 bit issue.  But one or both of those links above should tell you what you need to know.  Or hopefully someone else who knows more about Macs than I do can tell you.

[brynn]

After some research, I think I might have found a little info about this.  As far as I can tell (and I can't tell very much) the issue about "being official".  As far as I can tell, Inkscape is still going to work, it just doesn't have the official blessing of Mac (or Apple, or whoever it is).  Here's the bug report: 

https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape/issues/84

Also, it looks like the beta version of 1.0 will be ready by the time whatever this is, will happen.  That version won't have this "unsigned" issue.

[ronanwatts]

Hi none of those links seem to address the relevant issue. Here is some info on the transition https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT208436 . It doesn't seem to give a set date there but i remember reading somewhere it was the end of this summer, (I think September 2019), where 32 bit apps will cease to work. When is the 1.0 version due to be released? And do you know if that is guaranteed to use 64 bit technology? Wish id never changed to mac now, so incompatible lol. Only upside seems to be no need for antivirus.

Anyway thanks for replying, Il use the 0.92.2 version for now and see what happens.

[brynn]

Can you explain what you understand the problem to be?

I noticed this, on the page you referenced:

Can I keep using my 32-bit apps?

Yes, you may continue to use 32-bit apps with your Mac today. Using 32-bit software has no adverse effects on your data or your computer.

So even if the 0.92.2 DMG version doesn't work on 64 bit computers, as you (I think) are trying to say, that bit of info would seem to be saying it will keep working.

Otherwise, can you explain a little more?  I still don't understand what the problem is, not clearly anyway.

[brynn]

Ok, now I read that page more closely.  It never says that 32 bit programs will stop working.  What it says is that eventually they will not be compatible.  "Not compatible" could mean a lot of different things, of which "stop working" is only one possibility.

I don't think you have anything to worry about with Inkscape.  As far as I can tell (by the bug report I referenced) Inkscape developers are aware of this.  So either the 0.92.2 DMG version will just keep right on working, or they will make a new version (they already are working on it) that Apple will accept.

[ronanwatts]

Hi I think you misunderstood the quote youve referenced there. It says you can continue to use them today. But this change started over 10 years ago. And it clearly states Mojave is the last operating system that will run them. So at that point which i understand to be soon you will no longer be able to use them. And on the warning it does actually say "this app will not work in future versions of mac os" suggesting it will stop working altogether. And you mention they are working on a new version but it seems highly unlikely that this will suddenly be compatible, as the transition to 64 bit software happened back in 2003. If theyve still all been 32 bit since then, the chances they will have one ready for 64 bit suddenly in the last few weeks of almost a 17 year deadline seems unlikely tbh.

[Moini]

I agree, Ronan has read it correctly. However, 1.0 may be ready until then. A development version is already testable. And the page doesn't give a concrete date, either.

[brynn]

I'm quite sure that developers are well aware of this.  That's what the bug report I referenced above is all about.

If you need some info other than that, you'll need to contact developers.  A lot of developers are at a hackfest right now, although I don't know if the Mac devs are there or not.

In any case, the Mac devs have their own chat channel, and I suggest contacting them there:  https://chat.inkscape.org/channel/team_devel_mac

Please feel free to reference this topic, if you like.

[ronanwatts]

okay thankyou