Getting Inkscape Working Again on OS X 10.9 with XQuartz

If you've recently upgraded to OS X 10.9 and found that Inkscape no longer works as expected, you're not alone. Many users have reported issues with the X11 app, which is required for running Inkscape and other X11 applications. Fortunately, there's a simple workaround to get Inkscape up and running again.

The Solution

To resolve this issue, you'll need to install XQuartz on your system. This X Server application allows you to run X11 apps like Inkscape seamlessly. Here's how to do it:

1. First, quit both Inkscape and XQuartz if they're currently running.

2. Launch Inkscape once more, which should automatically start up XQuartz.

Alternatively, you can try the following method:

1. Quit both Inkskate and XQuartz.

2. Launch Inkscape again, which should also launch XQuartz.

This solution was tested on the default installation of OS X 10.9 with Inkscape 0.48.2.

What's Changed?

As part of the OS X Mountain Lion update, Apple no longer installs the X11 app by default. This means that you'll need to install a compatible X Server like XQuartz to run any X11 applications. When prompted for the location of X11, simply browse to and select the XQuartz app.

By following these simple steps, you should be able to get Inkscape working again on your OS X 10.9 system. If you encounter any issues or have further questions, feel free to ask in the comments below.

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