Getting Started

The Workspace

Launching IconVectors opens the main workspace, which includes all the tools you need to create and manage icons. The application starts with a new blank icon (if configured), or you can open an existing file.

Axialis IconVectors Workspace spacer

The IconVectors workspace is divided into several functional areas:

  • Menu bar (top) — Provides access to all commands such as File, Edit, Icon, Element, Path, View, and Help.

  • Toolbox (left) — Contains drawing and editing tools, such as the selection tool, shape tools, pen, and path editor. Only one tool can be active at a time.

  • Undo/Redo (left) — In the left toolbar you can undo or redo commands. There is no limit in undo/redo operations.

  • Canvas (center) — This is where your icon is drawn and edited. It includes a checkerboard background to indicate transparency, along with visible grids and guides.

  • Control bar (top center) — Displays adjustable properties for the selected element: position, size, color, stroke, opacity, etc.

  • Layers panel (right) — Lists all the layers and elements in your icon. You can show/hide, group, or rename them for better organization.

  • Status bar (bottom) — Displays zoom level, canvas size, and helpful hints or shortcuts.

Hint

If you prefer a dark interface, you can change the theme by going to Edit ‣ Preferences, then choosing a color theme under the General tab.

The Canvas and the Icon

The canvas is the space in which your icon is drawn. You can zoom in/out, show or hide the grid, and snap elements for alignment.

Your icon itself consists of one or more vector elements, such as shapes, paths, or compound elements. These elements are displayed on the canvas but organized in

Layers and Element Stacking

Layers help you organize icons into meaningful parts. You can show/hide them individually, rename them, and reorder them for visual hierarchy.

The Layers panel (right side of the workspace) shows all elements in your document, with icons indicating visibility and object type. Selected layers are highlighted and can be edited directly on the canvas. One or more elements can be selected, moved, duplicated, grouped/ungrouped.

Supported File Formats

Axialis IconVectors uses SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) as its native format, a widely adopted standard for vector-based drawings. The application is optimized for editing small vector assets such as icons, but it is capable of opening and displaying SVG documents of any size or complexity.

When you create or save a document in IconVectors, it is stored in SVG format. However, you can export your icons in other formats such as XAML, VueTS, C++, or bitmap images (PNG, ICO, BMP, etc.).

This approach keeps the editing workflow simple and standards-based, while still offering great flexibility for deployment across different platforms and environments.

Working with Documents

Creating a New Icon Document

To create a new SVG icon, select File ‣ New or press Ctrl+N.

In the dialog, you can define the icon’s width and height in pixels. Enable Keep Aspect Ratio to maintain proportions. You can also choose to set this size as the default for new documents.

Opening an Icon Document

To open an existing SVG icon, use the menu command. Once opened, the icon is fully editable.

File ‣ Open… – Ctrl+O

File ‣ Open in a New Window… – Shift+Ctrl+O

Hint

You can open several SVG icon documents simmultaneously. Each document will open in a new instance of the application.

Closing an Icon Document

To close the current document, select:

File ‣ Close – Ctrl+W

This clears the workspace. If the document has unsaved changes, you’ll be prompted to save them before closing. To close the edition window, click the close button at the upper-right corner. This will close the instance associated with this document.

Undo and Redo

Axialis VectorIcons features a full, unlimited Undo/Redo system that allows you to safely experiment and correct mistakes during your editing workflow.

Every action that modifies the document — including drawing, transforming, editing paths, changing properties, and deleting elements — is recorded and can be undone or redone at any time.

Undo and Redo Commands

  • Undo: Reverts the most recent action.

  • Redo: Reapplies an action that was previously undone.

These commands are available:

  • From the Edit menu

  • Using the toolbar buttons

  • Via standard keyboard shortcuts: - Ctrl+Z for Undo - Ctrl+Y for Redo

Scope of Undo/Redo

All modifications that affect the document are included in the undo history, such as:

  • Creating or deleting elements

  • Moving, scaling, or rotating objects

  • Editing shapes and paths

  • Changing fills, strokes, gradients, and effects

  • Grouping or ungrouping items

  • Converting shapes to paths

  • Pasting or importing objects

Note

Undo/Redo operates on the entire document, not just the currently selected elements.

There is no fixed limit to the number of undoable actions — you can freely step back through your editing history as far as needed.

User Preferences

You can access the Preferences window by pressing F2 or choosing Edit ‣ Preferences.

Preferences Dialog - General Tab spacer

Here you can configure:

  • Startup behavior

  • Language

  • Interface theme (Light, Dark, or System default)

  • Auto-recovery interval

Additional preferences are available in tabs for:

  • Icon Editor behavior (grids, transparency, tooltips)

  • SVG code formatting and minification

  • Update settings

  • Proxy configuration

Preferences - Icon Editor Tab spacer

Quick Start Sample Icons

When you install IconVectors, a collection of sample icons is added your Documents\Axialis IconVectors folder. We recommend that you open them to learn how icons are built using geometric elements, paths and organized in layers. You can also use them as templates for your own projects

Here is the list of Axialis Vector Icons provided freely as sample:

Hint

If you installed the Axialis Shell Extension during setup, you’ll see live SVG thumbnails for these icons directly in File Explorer.