Hello. My first post. Recently I was contracted to teach a course. The course has to do with whiteboard animation and one of the tools I use is Adobe Illustrator. At the last minute, I was told I needed to use Inkscape instead of Illustrator in my teaching. I'm on a deadline and running out of time so I turn here hoping I can get my answers. By the way, I did the google thing but the research was a bust - mostly because the answers were not straight forward. It would be a plus if someone here understood both Illustrator and Inkscape but if not, my hope is understanding Inkscape is enough. HERE GOES!
1. Can Inkscape import EPS, SVG, AI files and all the layers and sub-layers? I tried opening all 3 formats but none of the layers and sub-layers open in Inkscape. Even worse, when trying to open a EPS file, Inkscape did not show any EPS files in the Open Dialogue Box.
For example, in Illustrator, I may have a 10 LAYERS and under each Layer several more sub-layers for color, specific content, shapes, lines, etc. When I import a vector file (i.e. SVG), in Inkscape it opens the file but none of the layers or sub-layers were created in Inkscape. HOPEFULLY THE IMAGES BELOW EXPLAIN BETTER - I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO EMBED THE IMAGES IN THE POST SO I ATTACHED THEM.
Before I go on, the above is probably where I did tons of googling. I was surprised I could not find my answer making me ask "is Inkscape a Vector Editor? - especially since it didn't even see or recognize a EPS file. Anyways, being able to import/open a vector image with all the layers and sub-layers is the first step.
2. How do you see what is in each layer in InkScape? You may reply you will see them on the canvas, but this doesn't help. In illustrator I may create 20 different layers with sub-layers. By the time you get to layer 10, you forgotten what you put in layer 1. So I need to be able to quickly find/see what content is in each layer.
3. Pencil Tool is the only tool I'll use. Since I spent tons of time trying to research and find the answers to numbers 1 and 2 above, I never got to the point of trying to use the Pencil tool. So a quick explanation on where it is located and how to use would be appreciated.
4. Lastly, when done I need to be able to save as SVG file. Again, because I spent so much time trying to understand numbers 1 and 2 above, I never got to the point of trying to save a file as SVG. An explanation would be appreciated.
The above 4 things is what I need to do in InkScape to teach the class. I'm really curious what the scope of Inkscape is. Is it really meant to edit vector files or instead is it's purpose is to draw an image and save it as SVG? It seems as if SVG is the format it works with the most but even when I imported/open a SVG file that has 10 layers with each layer having sub-layers, it opens it as one layer when imported into layer one or no layers when opening the file. Sorry for the panic mode but I hate to not teach this class because I haven't had enough time to learn the ins and outs of inkscape. I teach in 3 days. I'll continue my research but wanted to post in case I can't find the answers to my questions.
Thanks in Advance for any Help.
p.s. I'm attaching a simple SVG file. It has 1 layer and 10 sub-layers. I put in Zip Folder
Here is what it looks like when open in Illustrator - SEE illustrator_orepmju.jpg attached
Here is what it looks like when open in InkScape - SEE Ink-open_SoVdU37.jpg attached
Here is what it looks like when imported into InkScape - SEE Ink-import_zvyTMNI.jpg attached
For a quick answer, SVG is the native format for Inkscape and yes, Inkscape is a vector editor. It is a general vector editing program, but the SVG format is its focus. The intent was to have the most useful program out there, but to stay within the constraints of the format. One of the things the SVG specification did not have was explicit layers. However those are a very useful feature so the Inkscape developers used SVG groups with a special tag to treat as layers.The additions keep the files legal SVG but allow for nicer editing in programs such as Inkscape that recognize the additional attributes.
The first main caveat here is that although the open source community tries to help users where it can, Adobe has been very shoddy in their SVG support and tend to have their software write files that only Adobe products read back correctly. Instead of following conventions that others have for robust SVG, they seemed to prefer vendor lock-in where possible. Once you figure out the gotchas to work around Adobe's limitations things get much easier.
Some quick answers (to try to get timely guidance... I'm sure others can have more complete info later)
1. Inkscape can "import" AI and EPS files to at least some degree (I've not checked what latest features might or might not be supported) by using common Open Source libraries available for the formats. Again here you might hit issues where Adobe might export poorly written EPS files that are not as generally usable as they could be. Inkscape, on the other hand, will "open" SVG files as it uses that format internally as SVG is it's main focus. Unfortunately some vendors (Adobe included) tend to export sub-par SVG files.
Inkscape currently only supports a single level of layers... however each layer can have multiple groups which can function similarly. So 'group' might be used to correspond to Illustrator sub-layers.
BTW, you should check the open dialog for the file type popup that defaults to "All Inkscape Files". If you don't see separate lines with .ai and .eps entries you're not getting the full experience.
(Also... eps files, aka Encapsulated PostScript files are using a fairly dated format.)
And to tell what you have on different layers, use the Layers dialog (Shift-Ctrl-L) to get a list of all layers that you can then turn on and off or lock individually.
2. To see what is in each layer, use the Layers dialog.
Also if you shift-click on the visibility icon of one of the layers it will 'solo' that layer and hide the others. Repeat to flip back.
I also use the car.svgz file that installs with Inkscape and is in the 'examples' portion of the open dialog. It's an older example, but gives a good first exposure to Layers in Inkscape.
3. You might find that the tools do not map 1:1 with the Illustrator ones. One point of difference is that Inkscape was mainly developed by artists and illustrators to get work done whereas the more commercial offerings are driven by their marketing departments. Among other things, if a competing product has more items listed on their sales sheet under "tools", then the company will often require more "tools" be added to beat their competition even though that just complicates use.
Inkscape's "pencil" tool is on the left looking like a pencil, has the tooltip "Draw freehand lines" and can be selected via F6
4. By default Inkscape saves to SVG. There's Inkscape SVG and plain SVG. The main difference is that Inkscape SVG includes the extended attributes that make editing easier. When exported as plain SVG you'll tend to get files that are smaller but not as easy to edit again.
Now, a little inside trick that might help you convert some existing assets. I've not checked what Adobe does in recent years in regards to layers, but since Inkscape layers are just standard SVG groups with special attributes added, you can change any group into a layer by adding those attributes. Inkscape includes a simple XML view (Shift-Ctrl-X) I use for this (though the object dialog might work as well)
Just add an attribute named "inkscape:groupmode" with the value "layer" and an attribute named "inkscape:label" with the value you want for the layer name to any top-level group (<svg:g> element) and you'll turn it into a layer.For your image I think you can even skip the inkscape:label attributes as it will default to use the id attribute.
Note that since Inkscape (at least as of 0.92) does not support sub-layers so those would all need to be moved up to be children of the root <svg> element.
So I brought up the XML editor view. Then selected the top level group (with the id "Couple_engagement"). Selecting it in the XML Editor also selects it in the main window. Next I selected "Object|Ungroup" from the menu. That then changed the view in the XML Editor to show me that all the remaining Illustrator layers moved up to be top level groups. Walking through those and adding the inkscape:groupmode attribute to each then caused the layer dialog to show what you'd need.
Hmm... might be time to work up a quick extension to automate that...
Note that since Inkscape (at least as of 0.92) does not support sub-layers so those would all need to be moved up to be children of the root <svg> element.
Just add an attribute named "inkscape:groupmode" with the value "layer" and an attribute named "inkscape:label" with the value you want for the layer name to any top-level group (<svg:g> element) and you'll turn it into a layer.For your image I think you can even skip the inkscape:label attributes as it will default to use the id attribute.
This is all very dated info. Inkscape has supported sub-layers since at least .91.
This screenshot is of .92.2
Note the many sublayers and even the sub-sublayer "#Objects_Heart-Copy-2".
The Objects dialog introduced in .92 allows simple conversion of groups to layers and sublayers, plus hide/show/lock of any objects within layers.
Another small point on the sub-layers question: you can reorder layers and move them in/out of other layers by dragging them in the Layers dialog, as you might expect. This has also been possible since at least 0.92.x.
Thanks, Tyler, you're right. I was throwing together that answer after being up waaaay to late and then having someone point out the question to me as I was headed to bed. I had tried converting the top and sub layers initially, but must have had some typo get in the way and hide the sub-layer behavior (since I'm used to working off trunk I test things in stock versions before posting to others).
Unfortunately there does not seem to be any simple way to recognize what Illustrator considers a layer and what is just a plain group.
Beginners' Questions Confused Illustrator using Inkscape
Inkscape.org
Hello. My first post. Recently I was contracted to teach a course. The course has to do with whiteboard animation and one of the tools I use is Adobe Illustrator. At the last minute, I was told I needed to use Inkscape instead of Illustrator in my teaching. I'm on a deadline and running out of time so I turn here hoping I can get my answers. By the way, I did the google thing but the research was a bust - mostly because the answers were not straight forward. It would be a plus if someone here understood both Illustrator and Inkscape but if not, my hope is understanding Inkscape is enough. HERE GOES!
1. Can Inkscape import EPS, SVG, AI files and all the layers and sub-layers? I tried opening all 3 formats but none of the layers and sub-layers open in Inkscape. Even worse, when trying to open a EPS file, Inkscape did not show any EPS files in the Open Dialogue Box.
For example, in Illustrator, I may have a 10 LAYERS and under each Layer several more sub-layers for color, specific content, shapes, lines, etc. When I import a vector file (i.e. SVG), in Inkscape it opens the file but none of the layers or sub-layers were created in Inkscape. HOPEFULLY THE IMAGES BELOW EXPLAIN BETTER - I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO EMBED THE IMAGES IN THE POST SO I ATTACHED THEM.
Before I go on, the above is probably where I did tons of googling. I was surprised I could not find my answer making me ask "is Inkscape a Vector Editor? - especially since it didn't even see or recognize a EPS file. Anyways, being able to import/open a vector image with all the layers and sub-layers is the first step.
2. How do you see what is in each layer in InkScape? You may reply you will see them on the canvas, but this doesn't help. In illustrator I may create 20 different layers with sub-layers. By the time you get to layer 10, you forgotten what you put in layer 1. So I need to be able to quickly find/see what content is in each layer.
3. Pencil Tool is the only tool I'll use. Since I spent tons of time trying to research and find the answers to numbers 1 and 2 above, I never got to the point of trying to use the Pencil tool. So a quick explanation on where it is located and how to use would be appreciated.
4. Lastly, when done I need to be able to save as SVG file. Again, because I spent so much time trying to understand numbers 1 and 2 above, I never got to the point of trying to save a file as SVG. An explanation would be appreciated.
The above 4 things is what I need to do in InkScape to teach the class. I'm really curious what the scope of Inkscape is. Is it really meant to edit vector files or instead is it's purpose is to draw an image and save it as SVG? It seems as if SVG is the format it works with the most but even when I imported/open a SVG file that has 10 layers with each layer having sub-layers, it opens it as one layer when imported into layer one or no layers when opening the file. Sorry for the panic mode but I hate to not teach this class because I haven't had enough time to learn the ins and outs of inkscape. I teach in 3 days. I'll continue my research but wanted to post in case I can't find the answers to my questions.
Thanks in Advance for any Help.
p.s. I'm attaching a simple SVG file. It has 1 layer and 10 sub-layers. I put in Zip Folder
Here is what it looks like when open in Illustrator - SEE illustrator_orepmju.jpg attached
Here is what it looks like when open in InkScape - SEE Ink-open_SoVdU37.jpg attached
Here is what it looks like when imported into InkScape - SEE Ink-import_zvyTMNI.jpg attached
Inkscape natively edits SVG files that do not technically have layers. To have layer-like functionality, Inkscape uses groups with special tags.
To see all groups and nested objects, I'd use Menu: Object>Objects (the objects dialog); wherein the "layers" are shown as groups.
The groups that were layers in Illustrator can be made into Inkscape layers using a button in the Objects dialog, the column marked "T" (toggle).
For a quick answer, SVG is the native format for Inkscape and yes, Inkscape is a vector editor. It is a general vector editing program, but the SVG format is its focus. The intent was to have the most useful program out there, but to stay within the constraints of the format. One of the things the SVG specification did not have was explicit layers. However those are a very useful feature so the Inkscape developers used SVG groups with a special tag to treat as layers.The additions keep the files legal SVG but allow for nicer editing in programs such as Inkscape that recognize the additional attributes.
The first main caveat here is that although the open source community tries to help users where it can, Adobe has been very shoddy in their SVG support and tend to have their software write files that only Adobe products read back correctly. Instead of following conventions that others have for robust SVG, they seemed to prefer vendor lock-in where possible. Once you figure out the gotchas to work around Adobe's limitations things get much easier.
Some quick answers (to try to get timely guidance... I'm sure others can have more complete info later)
1. Inkscape can "import" AI and EPS files to at least some degree (I've not checked what latest features might or might not be supported) by using common Open Source libraries available for the formats. Again here you might hit issues where Adobe might export poorly written EPS files that are not as generally usable as they could be. Inkscape, on the other hand, will "open" SVG files as it uses that format internally as SVG is it's main focus. Unfortunately some vendors (Adobe included) tend to export sub-par SVG files.
Inkscape currently only supports a single level of layers... however each layer can have multiple groups which can function similarly. So 'group' might be used to correspond to Illustrator sub-layers.
BTW, you should check the open dialog for the file type popup that defaults to "All Inkscape Files". If you don't see separate lines with .ai and .eps entries you're not getting the full experience.
(Also... eps files, aka Encapsulated PostScript files are using a fairly dated format.)
And to tell what you have on different layers, use the Layers dialog (Shift-Ctrl-L) to get a list of all layers that you can then turn on and off or lock individually.
2. To see what is in each layer, use the Layers dialog.
Also if you shift-click on the visibility icon of one of the layers it will 'solo' that layer and hide the others. Repeat to flip back.
I also use the car.svgz file that installs with Inkscape and is in the 'examples' portion of the open dialog. It's an older example, but gives a good first exposure to Layers in Inkscape.
3. You might find that the tools do not map 1:1 with the Illustrator ones. One point of difference is that Inkscape was mainly developed by artists and illustrators to get work done whereas the more commercial offerings are driven by their marketing departments. Among other things, if a competing product has more items listed on their sales sheet under "tools", then the company will often require more "tools" be added to beat their competition even though that just complicates use.
Inkscape's "pencil" tool is on the left looking like a pencil, has the tooltip "Draw freehand lines" and can be selected via F6
https://inkscape-manuals.readthedocs.io/en/latest/pencil-tool.html
*however* if you use a drawing tablet the calligraphy tool (Ctrl-F6) might be a good fallback.
https://inkscape.org/doc/tutorials/calligraphy/tutorial-calligraphy.html
In between there is the 'pen' tool (Shift-F6)
https://inkscape-manuals.readthedocs.io/en/latest/pen-tool.html
4. By default Inkscape saves to SVG. There's Inkscape SVG and plain SVG. The main difference is that Inkscape SVG includes the extended attributes that make editing easier. When exported as plain SVG you'll tend to get files that are smaller but not as easy to edit again.
Now, a little inside trick that might help you convert some existing assets. I've not checked what Adobe does in recent years in regards to layers, but since Inkscape layers are just standard SVG groups with special attributes added, you can change any group into a layer by adding those attributes. Inkscape includes a simple XML view (Shift-Ctrl-X) I use for this (though the object dialog might work as well)
Just add an attribute named "inkscape:groupmode" with the value "layer" and an attribute named "inkscape:label" with the value you want for the layer name to any top-level group (<svg:g> element) and you'll turn it into a layer.For your image I think you can even skip the inkscape:label attributes as it will default to use the id attribute.
Note that since Inkscape (at least as of 0.92) does not support sub-layers so those would all need to be moved up to be children of the root <svg> element.
So I brought up the XML editor view. Then selected the top level group (with the id "Couple_engagement"). Selecting it in the XML Editor also selects it in the main window. Next I selected "Object|Ungroup" from the menu. That then changed the view in the XML Editor to show me that all the remaining Illustrator layers moved up to be top level groups. Walking through those and adding the inkscape:groupmode attribute to each then caused the layer dialog to show what you'd need.
Hmm... might be time to work up a quick extension to automate that...
This is all very dated info. Inkscape has supported sub-layers since at least .91.
This screenshot is of .92.2
Note the many sublayers and even the sub-sublayer "#Objects_Heart-Copy-2".
The Objects dialog introduced in .92 allows simple conversion of groups to layers and sublayers, plus hide/show/lock of any objects within layers.
Another small point on the sub-layers question: you can reorder layers and move them in/out of other layers by dragging them in the Layers dialog, as you might expect. This has also been possible since at least 0.92.x.
Thanks, Tyler, you're right. I was throwing together that answer after being up waaaay to late and then having someone point out the question to me as I was headed to bed. I had tried converting the top and sub layers initially, but must have had some typo get in the way and hide the sub-layer behavior (since I'm used to working off trunk I test things in stock versions before posting to others).
Unfortunately there does not seem to be any simple way to recognize what Illustrator considers a layer and what is just a plain group.