I suppose so, don't think there are any restrictions. However, I think processor load is the limit that will be hit before RAM will be full. The current development version has been improved a lot in this regard, though, you could try it out (not the beta, that doesn't have the changes yet, but the development version).
You might try taking a look at the cache size for rendering as well as the number of threads that Inkscape has access to and adjust them upward to take advantage of your system capabilities.
This is found in the Preferences pane, under the "Rendering" section (it is the next to the last item in the list on the left hand side of the window, just above "Spellcheck").
Open this by clicking on the "Edit" menu, then "Preferences".
I have mine set to use 8 threads, a 256 MiB rendering cache size, 32 for the rendering tile multiplier, and 100 for the rendering XRay radius, for example.
If you hover your cursor over the top of those boxes with these numerical values, there are "tool tips" with more explanatory guidance on how best to adjust those settings.
Hope that helps and thank you for using Inkscape! =)
To put things into perspective, I doubt 64 GB will do you any good. Inkscape (or software in general) does not magically get faster or more performant just because there's more memory available. The only thing you need to avoid is not having enough (because then you'll end up with paging, which is indeed slow).
The only thing you can actively influence considering Inkscape's memory usage is the rendering cache Nathan mentioned.
Beyond that I suggest you open one of the most complex SVGs you normally use and look at the memory usage of Inkscape (and obviously your system overall). Significantly more memory will not benefit Inkscape at that point.
Beyond the Basics Maximum Memory Addressed by Inkscape
Inkscape.org
I noticed on my older laptop that some of the drawings get slower and slower as I add more complexity to the paintings.
Planning to purchase a new Desktop with a much better i7 processor, and also to install a bunch more RAM than the 8 gb currently on my laptop.
What is the maximum amount of memory that Inkscape can work with? For example if I install 64 gb on the new computer, will it be utilized?
Thanks,
BarryG
I suppose so, don't think there are any restrictions. However, I think processor load is the limit that will be hit before RAM will be full. The current development version has been improved a lot in this regard, though, you could try it out (not the beta, that doesn't have the changes yet, but the development version).
Hi, BarryG!
You might try taking a look at the cache size for rendering as well as the number of threads that Inkscape has access to and adjust them upward to take advantage of your system capabilities.
This is found in the Preferences pane, under the "Rendering" section (it is the next to the last item in the list on the left hand side of the window, just above "Spellcheck").
Open this by clicking on the "Edit" menu, then "Preferences".
I have mine set to use 8 threads, a 256 MiB rendering cache size, 32 for the rendering tile multiplier, and 100 for the rendering XRay radius, for example.
If you hover your cursor over the top of those boxes with these numerical values, there are "tool tips" with more explanatory guidance on how best to adjust those settings.
Hope that helps and thank you for using Inkscape! =)
Cheers,
Nathan
To put things into perspective, I doubt 64 GB will do you any good. Inkscape (or software in general) does not magically get faster or more performant just because there's more memory available. The only thing you need to avoid is not having enough (because then you'll end up with paging, which is indeed slow).
The only thing you can actively influence considering Inkscape's memory usage is the rendering cache Nathan mentioned.
Beyond that I suggest you open one of the most complex SVGs you normally use and look at the memory usage of Inkscape (and obviously your system overall). Significantly more memory will not benefit Inkscape at that point.
I appreciate all the excellent prompt advice.
You guys are correct: even with 8 GB of RAM, my memory consumption is only in the 33% range.
I did not realize about the cache size for rendering and will adjust within Preferences - that's a nice tool that I have not utilized.
I've intermittently used Inkscape for web graphics and related stuff for several years.
The tools are excellent and have been very pleased with the results.
In 2019, I started to paint and print more realistic images - on 17" x 25" paper.
This works fine, but realism requires much more drawing of lines and nodes.
One can actually see the software slowing down the more I add to the images.
Upgrading to a much faster cpu should resolve the issue
Thanks,
BarryG