Is there anything being done about the reported problem that when an Inkscape .svg file is printed that not all objects print?
The solutions offered are to Save As a .pdf or .png, and print that file. It works, but an extra step and extra file creation.
Adobe's Photoshop has a "flatten" command that merges all layers. If the flattened image is not saved, the flattened image can be printed but the layers remain intact. Is something similar not possible in Inkscape?
I do almost what Tyler does. I create a new layer, place it at the top level and label it 'grouped copy'. Then I open all layers, select all, duplicate it, group it, and move it to that top layer. Close all other layers and it should print without having to export. At least it works for me.
The hardest part is to remember that if you make changes to anything that you need to repeat the steps so you aren't printing the old svg.
Inkscape doesn't have true layers. If I recall correctly, it's because there's no SVG standard for layers. So Inkscape's layers are accomplished using special Groups.
I've seen a few messages recently asking for this flatten feature. I can't say that I really understand what the purpose is. It's easy enough to put all the layers into one layer (Inkscape's layers, I mean). And you could do that while still keeping original layers intact.
Inkscape can also Save As, and retain the layers. But I have a feeling I'm missing the point.
Edit
I do understand what flatten means in a raster file (and photoshop is mostly a raster editor, although I guess it does have some vector features). But as a vector editor, I don't understand why Inkscape needs it.
It can still be done in a couple of steps though, if necessary.
Could we get an example of a file that doesn't print completely, with exactly which objects don't print, and info about your Inkscape version and operating system, please?
Without those, it seems not very useful to me to discuss about unrelated things, like layer flattening, when the issue is that not all objects print.
Replying to Maren: I'm using Windows 10 and Inkscape 0.92.3.
I'm selling a large, 2-story house and moving to a 3/2 condominium. I'm using Inkscape to decide what furniture from our present house will be moved to the condo and what furniture to get rid of. It's to-scale, and I can move the furniture around to see what arrangement fits the best.
The linked image is has a screenshot on the left of the .svg of the room I'll be using for my computer where I work on my hobby - photography - and, on the right, a scan of what comes out when I print that .svg. Only the one object, the desk, prints. The two lawyer's bookcases, the lateral file, and the two shelves for the monitors and keyboard don't end up in the print.
Okay. Next thing to check is if there's anything different about the other shapes. Please share an SVG file that has at least one object that prints and one that doesn't in it.
All the objects in my .svgs are created the same way. In Photoshop I create a shape (eg: rectangle for desk), fill it with a color or pattern, add text to identify the object, flatten and save as a .jpg. When in Inkscape, I import the .jpg and set the height and width to the scale. None of the objects are created in Inkscape.
Please share a file, else we won't be able to help. Also, if not needed because you yourself can't see what you're typing, please use a normal font size.
Okay, so the common denominator seems to be that anything that has been rotated or transformed doesn't print.
Are you using some uncommon kind of printer setup or some broken printer driver? What are the settings in your print dialog? Which options are checked?
Btw. that file has not been saved with 0.92.4 yet - might not solve the problem, but the version number inside still says 0.92.3. Maybe you haven't edited anything yet, only tried to get a proper print.
The whole object of doing this in Inkscape is to move the objects around! Sometimes they need to be rotated. The imported .jpgs are re-sized to scale. If I can't do these things, there's no point in using Inkscape.
The printer is a brand-new Canon TR8520 with current drivers. No options other than Portrait and Letter paper are checked. The same problem happened when I was using an Epson printer a few weeks ago.
I just moved an object, saved-as a new file in 92.4, and printed. Same problem. I use a USB AB cable (the standard printer cable), computer-to-printer.
I print photos from Photoshop, and Lightroom, spreadsheets from Open Office, and other print jobs. I don't have problems in printing other apps. The Inkscape files print correctly if saved as a .pdf or .png.
Yesterday I met the same problem on my Canon PIXMA G3415, 4 of 11 pictures disapeared in print preview window. All of them are on the Layer 1 and had different orientations. I have two ways for solving this printing issue:
In the print dialog there is a rendering tab, switch on "Bitmap backend" option instead of "Vector backend" option
2. In the Printer Settings->Page Settings->Print options menu check on disable data compression
Beyond the Basics Printing problems
Inkscape.org
Is there anything being done about the reported problem that when an Inkscape .svg file is printed that not all objects print?
The solutions offered are to Save As a .pdf or .png, and print that file. It works, but an extra step and extra file creation.
Adobe's Photoshop has a "flatten" command that merges all layers. If the flattened image is not saved, the flattened image can be printed but the layers remain intact. Is something similar not possible in Inkscape?
I don't know if the problem is still an issue, but if it is, I might try:
I can't promise it will work in all cases, but it might work for you.
(Set bitmap dpi in preferences.)
Have a nice day.
TD
I can't speak to whether it's possible with Inkscape (aside from TD's suggestion) but this message tells how to make a feature request https://inkscape.org/forums/beyond/how-to-report-bugs-or-request-new-features/ Maybe a developer would want to discuss it?
I do almost what Tyler does. I create a new layer, place it at the top level and label it 'grouped copy'. Then I open all layers, select all, duplicate it, group it, and move it to that top layer. Close all other layers and it should print without having to export. At least it works for me.
The hardest part is to remember that if you make changes to anything that you need to repeat the steps so you aren't printing the old svg.
I appreciate the suggestions, and will try them the next time I print something done in Inkscape.
However, a known problem, which can be a continuing inconvenience to the user, should be corrected in the software.
The Adobe Photoshop "Flatten" (merge all layers) command is a simple solution. The file can be "Saved As" a new name
and the original closed without saving. When re-opened, the file layers remain undisturbed.
Unless I'm missing something, an Inkscape file doesn't display layers as layers so it's difficult to tell what needs to be moved.
Still, Inkscape offers a free program that is comparable to Corel's expensive CorelDraw, and that is worth some extra steps.
Inkscape doesn't have true layers. If I recall correctly, it's because there's no SVG standard for layers. So Inkscape's layers are accomplished using special Groups.
I've seen a few messages recently asking for this flatten feature. I can't say that I really understand what the purpose is. It's easy enough to put all the layers into one layer (Inkscape's layers, I mean). And you could do that while still keeping original layers intact.
Inkscape can also Save As, and retain the layers. But I have a feeling I'm missing the point.
Edit
I do understand what flatten means in a raster file (and photoshop is mostly a raster editor, although I guess it does have some vector features). But as a vector editor, I don't understand why Inkscape needs it.
It can still be done in a couple of steps though, if necessary.
Could we get an example of a file that doesn't print completely, with exactly which objects don't print, and info about your Inkscape version and operating system, please?
Without those, it seems not very useful to me to discuss about unrelated things, like layer flattening, when the issue is that not all objects print.
Replying to Maren: I'm using Windows 10 and Inkscape 0.92.3.
I'm selling a large, 2-story house and moving to a 3/2 condominium. I'm using Inkscape to decide what furniture from our present house will be moved to the condo and what furniture to get rid of. It's to-scale, and I can move the furniture around to see what arrangement fits the best.
The linked image is has a screenshot on the left of the .svg of the room I'll be using for my computer where I work on my hobby - photography - and, on the right, a scan of what comes out when I print that .svg. Only the one object, the desk, prints. The two lawyer's bookcases, the lateral file, and the two shelves for the monitors and keyboard don't end up in the print.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Current/i-pc4Jp9p/0/9ff20236/O/COMBINE.jpg
I can save-as a .pdf and it will print all objects, but I don't see why this extra step is needed.
I see. Please update to the current version and see if it works.
I installed the current version 0.092.4 and it prints exactly the same way. Just the desk.
Okay. Next thing to check is if there's anything different about the other shapes. Please share an SVG file that has at least one object that prints and one that doesn't in it.
All the objects in my .svgs are created the same way. In Photoshop I create a shape (eg: rectangle for desk), fill it with a color or pattern, add text to identify the object, flatten and save as a .jpg. When in Inkscape, I import the .jpg and set the height and width to the scale. None of the objects are created in Inkscape.
Please share a file, else we won't be able to help. Also, if not needed because you yourself can't see what you're typing, please use a normal font size.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/iynr9bz18c5aqeb/BAR%20BEDROOM%202B.svg?dl=0
Okay, so the common denominator seems to be that anything that has been rotated or transformed doesn't print.
Are you using some uncommon kind of printer setup or some broken printer driver? What are the settings in your print dialog? Which options are checked?
Btw. that file has not been saved with 0.92.4 yet - might not solve the problem, but the version number inside still says 0.92.3. Maybe you haven't edited anything yet, only tried to get a proper print.
The whole object of doing this in Inkscape is to move the objects around! Sometimes they need to be rotated. The imported .jpgs are re-sized to scale. If I can't do these things, there's no point in using Inkscape.
The printer is a brand-new Canon TR8520 with current drivers. No options other than Portrait and Letter paper are checked. The same problem happened when I was using an Epson printer a few weeks ago.
I just moved an object, saved-as a new file in 92.4, and printed. Same problem. I use a USB AB cable (the standard printer cable), computer-to-printer.
I print photos from Photoshop, and Lightroom, spreadsheets from Open Office, and other print jobs. I don't have problems in printing other apps. The Inkscape files print correctly if saved as a .pdf or .png.
I see. Can you please share screenshots of your print dialog?
Let's let this one go. I've become accustomed to saving-as a .pdf and printing that. There are no bugs in the .pdf printing.
Yesterday I met the same problem on my Canon PIXMA G3415, 4 of 11 pictures disapeared in print preview window. All of them are on the Layer 1 and had different orientations. I have two ways for solving this printing issue:
2. In the Printer Settings->Page Settings->Print options menu check on disable data compression