Help with Inkscape.

  • by vinylknight on January 07, 2012 @ 03:11 AM
    I don't speak Spanish but here's my question. When i convert a bitmap to a vector in Inkscape and try to click the 'save' button I get an error message that reads, "No Inkscape extension found to save document (E:\Johnny_Cash.jpg). This may have been caused by an unknown filename extension." I'm sure that I am missing a step but could someone help me out? Thanks. Eric.
    Apprentice 13 years ago

  • by ThePhantom on January 07, 2012 @ 09:20 PM
    Hi Eric. Currently Inkscape doesn't allow you to save as ".jpg". Yet, what you can do is export that as a ".png". It can be done by clicking on "File > Export Bitmap". I hope this helps, if you still want to convert it to a ".jpg" you might have to use something else like GIMP. And you could just open the ".svg" file in GIMP and then save it as a ".jpg" in GIMP.
    Programmer 14 years ago

  • by vinylknight on January 11, 2012 @ 01:25 AM
    Thanks Phantom, that does help some. Let me tell you what i want to do with the files that i'm converting. This may help you in answering my question more thoroughly. I have a vinyl plotter and looking to cut stickers. As you know if I import them into my computer as a jpg then they are blurry and when i cut them the plotter pics up the pixels and gives the stickers very jagged edges. I'm trying to get files in there that have smooth edges so they cut and look good. Any suggestions?
    Apprentice 13 years ago

  • by vinylknight on January 11, 2012 @ 02:08 AM
    If you can help me out with this i'll name my 3rd born after you. :)
    Apprentice 13 years ago

  • by ThePhantom on January 11, 2012 @ 05:20 PM
    Hi Eric. Thanks for your comments. Now, once you have converted your bitmap into a vector ("in Inkscape"). I suppose you have that sticker as a vector. Make sure when you export your bitmap through Inkscape "File -> Export Bitmap", there will be an option on that dialog box that will prompt you for "dpi". Usually by default it is set to 90dpi which will make it look good in your computer screen; but most printers usually require 300dpi. You will have to check your "vinyl plotter" to see what resolution "dpi" they require. Now, it goes like this; ex. if you want your sticker to be 1.5 in tall and 3.5 wide in and your "vinyl plotter" resolution is ex. 300dpi, you will need to have your sticker to be 450px in height and 1050px in width, and the export resolution to 300dpi. I hope this helps, if you have any other question feel free to ask again. I you dont't know how to convert you current image to vector you can watch this tutorial, after that automatic path conversion you could always go back and make a finer definition of the edges using the nodes selection tool. Again Eric, Thanks for being a part of Digital Phantom.
    Last Updated by: ThePhantom @ Jan 11, 2012 @ 06:23 AM
    Programmer 14 years ago

  • by vinylknight on January 12, 2012 @ 02:12 AM
    Thanks again for the input and i'm learning more and more. When i export the bitmap how do i get it to save as a .jpg? Also, when i use inkscape to change a .jpg to a vector image how do i save the file as a vector? Again, thanks so much for the help.
    Apprentice 13 years ago

  • by ThePhantom on January 12, 2012 @ 03:04 AM
    Hi Eric You could import the .jpg into inkscape and convert it into a vector just like you can see in this video https://www.digitalphantom.net/tutorials/video/graphic-design/inkscape/bitmap-to-vector-inkscape/ or you could import it and trace it manually. Once you have done that you can save that as Inkscape SVG which is a vector. Also when you export the bitmap directly from Inkscape you CANNOT save it as a .jpg the only format that it's available for exporting bitmaps is .png but if you still want to do that you could use GIMP which is another open-source program to save it as a .jpg. If you will be using GIMP, then simply save the Inkscape document as an .svg file open GIMP and open that file. Then save it as a .jpg and you will be all set.
    Programmer 14 years ago

  • by vinylknight on January 13, 2012 @ 08:09 PM
    If I vectorize it, then save it as a .png, then convert it over to .jpg in another program, won't it be pixelated again? Won't that put me back to step one? eric.
    Apprentice 13 years ago

  • by ThePhantom on January 14, 2012 @ 01:55 AM
    Eric if you make it a vector and then export it to the desired dimensions then you won't get pixelated edges. But if you export it with a small dimensions, then when you scale that up you will get a pixelated image. Make sure you know your desired dimensions and export it ("a bitmap") with those dimensions, you will be fine.
    Programmer 14 years ago

  • by vinylknight on January 17, 2012 @ 06:56 PM
    Thanks again Mr. Phantom. I think I am beginning to understand. So, what is the mathematical equation that i should use when trying to determine what size to save it as? For example if i want to save it at 5"x5"? Eric.
    Apprentice 13 years ago

  • by vinylknight on January 17, 2012 @ 06:59 PM
    ...and keeping it at the very best resolution possible?
    Apprentice 13 years ago

  • by ThePhantom on January 18, 2012 @ 09:30 PM
    Eric, It goes like this, depending on your printer resolution, you may have to check your settings. Usually most printer support at least 300dpi. The formula is like this. KEY RS = Real Size "Unit: inch", SS = Screen Size "Unit: pixel", DPI = resolution "Unit: dots(pixels) per inch". FORMULA RS = SS/DPI Now: Let RS = 5", DPI = 300dpi Reorganize Formula: SS = RS*DPI SS = 5" * 300dpi SS = 1500 pixels
    Programmer 14 years ago