Sounds like you should try that there Xara software. It is a hybrid vector/raster application.

Regarding file types...it isn't in the interest of $oftware companies to encourage open file formats...so the industry standard defaults to the product with the largest market share.

Inkscape is an option, as you can use bitmap fills as well as vector fills. You can scale and rotate the fills with the shapes, or independently. It also has all the boolean operations for working with shapes. With the new filters, it can do all sorts of things like blurs, drop shadows, embossed, etc...BUT it gets real slow when doing that. My last challenge map was mostly inkscape with some gimp bitmap work.

And inkscape can't be used for editing raster images. (Well, except for super basic stuff)

Search google for "heathenx screencasters" to get several dozen great inkscape tutorials.

-Rob A>