Hi I am working with both Inkscape and Illustrator.

I made SVG drawings with multiple layers, I gave all layers specific names like "background", "shadows", "highlights". I save it in inkscape SVG format.

I then use Illustrator to open that SVG file, in the layer drop down, all layers name turned into generic names such as "path357", "path959", "path955".

I have to manually rename again each and every layers.

Is there a way to save Inkscape SVG so that the layer names retain when opened with Illustrator?

InkscapeSVG work fine here in AffinityDesigner/Vectornator/Vectorstyler/PixelmatorPro - can´t test AI:

@cshaopin, please provide a sample Inkscape svg file that has your renaming properties, and I will test with Illustrator CC.

Hi Tyler,

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18YDyUkAleaC1_16oP30EZO37bxTDu_yz?usp=sharing

Here's a sample I did, there are 3 layers which I've named top, middle, bottom.

I've also snapshot both inkscape layer name and illustrator layer name FYI.

@cshaopin, It appears that Illustrator is using the ID of the objects, rather than the labels. SVG supports both and uses the labels in the GUI.

There may be a way to get Illustrator to use the labels instead of the IDs, but if you are generating the SVG files, you could edit the ID of the objects at the same time you edit the labels.

For clarity, we should distinguish between "Layer" and "Stacking order" (or "Z-order") in Inkscape... they are significantly different aspects, but both have foreground/background relationships. 

http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/Z-Order.html

http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/Layers.html

Oh wow~! Tyler, I couldn't thank you enough for this! 

Please consider this issue solved. 😁

You can also use the **Document > Process Illustrator SVG** extension. If you do, there's a recipe for exporting from AI in the extension GUI when you open it up. This extension converts the layers so that Inkscape recognizes them.

Yes, there is a way to save Inkscape SVG files so that the layer names are retained when opened in Illustrator. Follow these steps:

1. In Inkscape, after creating your drawing with the specific layer names, go to "File" and select "Save As" or "Save a Copy" to save the SVG file.

2. In the "Save As" dialog box, choose a location to save the file and enter a name for the file.

3. Before clicking on the "Save" button, click on the "SVG Output" button, which is located at the bottom left corner of the dialog box.

4. In the "SVG Output" dialog box, make sure the "SVG 1.1" format is selected.

5. Under the "Save options" section, check the box that says "Inkscape SVG" and uncheck any other boxes if they are checked.

6. Click on the "OK" button to save the SVG file.

By saving the file using the "Inkscape SVG" format, the layer names should be retained when you open the file in Illustrator. The generic names like "path357", "path959", etc., should not appear in the layer dropdown in Illustrator.

@charli55, this does not work here with Inkscape 1.2 and Adobe Illustrator CC.

Please support your assertions with screenshots or recordings.

(Note that the OP uses the term "layer" when referring to objects in the z-order.)