Author Topic: Editable Text Images  (Read 3576 times)

August 01, 2015, 03:44:23 PM
Read 3576 times

stitchytimecreations

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Hi there!

I have some editable text images that I'd love to use, but am having a really hard time figuring it out. I'm pretty much a newb when it comes to this stuff. I can manage to use those that have solid backgrounds, but there are some with textured backgrounds that I can't just copy & paste to cover up the previous text. It would be amazing if I could use them as intended.

The site I got the image from mentions a few different vector editing software to use, but they are crazy expensive. So I'm trying to find another way to do this. I can download the images in jpg, eps, pdf & png.

Does anyone have any idea how I can do this in inkscape?

Thank you!


August 01, 2015, 04:42:40 PM
Reply #1

brynn

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Welcome to Inkscape Community!

I guess the first thing -- do you understand the difference between vector and raster ("bitmap") images?

Inkscape is a vector editor.  You will not be able to edit JPG or PNG images, at all (because those are raster formats). 

It might be possible to edit PDF images, depending on how they are made.  That's because PDF can contain both raster and vector images.  So the only way to know, is to open them and look to see what's inside.  Inkscape can open PDF files.

EPS is a vector format.  (It might be like PDF, where they might have both raster and vector images, but I'm not sure)  Inkscape can open EPS files, but it's not always easy, especially on Windows.  The special instructions for opening EPS files on Windows are on the Inkscape website, which has unfortunately been offline for the last few days.  Fortunately I happen to have a copy of the page its on.  So the instructions are below.  If you need help following them, let us know, and we can help  :)

"Initially you need to find out where ps2pdf is on your machine or install it. It's in the Ghostscipt lib directory, which is probably something like C:\Program Files\gs\gs9.09\lib

If it is not installed you may find a current release of Ghostscript for Windows on their download page here.  (http://www.ghostscript.com/download/)

Then you need to add this to the system Path in Environment Variables. To navigate there on Win XP, Vista, 7: Start button > Settings > Control Panel > System > Advanced > Environment Variables. In Windows 8.1, right-click on This PC, choose Properties > Advanced system settings > Advanced tab > Environment Variables. Scroll through the System variables in the bottom panel, and select Path, click Edit. In the ridiculously small edit box provided add a semicolon to the end of whatever is there at the moment, and then add C:\Program Files\gs\gs9.09\lib (or whatever it is on your machine).

You will also need to add the Ghostscript bin directory to the system Path. (This will be the same as the lib directory, but ending in bin rather than lib - for example: C:\Program Files\gs\gs9.09\bin)

Note that updating to a new version of Ghostscript will install new \gs directory, but will not erase the old version subdirectory or update the Environment Variables. You'll need to do that yourself if you want to make use of it."

If you do manage to open and edit the EPS files, try saving as SVG.  That will make them easier to edit again later, if you need to.  If you'd like to use Inkscape to edit any new files that you download from the internet, try to find them as SVG files.  Those will be much easier to edit, than EPS.
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August 01, 2015, 05:18:59 PM
Reply #2

stitchytimecreations

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Thank you so much for your help!  I have a quick question regarding ghostscript. There are a few on that page that I can download:

Postscript and PDF interpreter/renderer

Ghostscript 9.16
PCL5/PCL XL (PXL) interpreter/renderer

GhostPCL 9.16
XPS interpreter/renderer

GhostXPS 9.16
GhostPDL Source

GhostPDL 9.16

Which one is it that I need? I told you I'm super new, and stupid, when it comes to this stuff. LOL   :b1:

August 01, 2015, 06:11:33 PM
Reply #3

brynn

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No worries  :)

My best guess - go for the one called Ghostscript 9.16
  • Inkscape version 0.92.3
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"Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity" - Horace Mann                       

August 02, 2015, 09:07:01 AM
Reply #4

stitchytimecreations

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Well, duh. I blame that question on it being late and me being tired. LOL

Thanks again for all of your help!