Hi. I'm looking into using Inkscape to generate reports(Ok, probably not inkscapes intended purpose), but the only thing I'm having trouble with is how to have multiple pages. The my questions are:

1) Can you have multiple pages in inkscape (in a single SVG file).
2) Can you save a pdf file with multiple pages. (either from multiple SVG files or a single multi-page SVG file).

Any advice would be appreciated

Hi Conan,

It looks like what you need is more like Scribus.

Hi Conan,

I want Multiple Pages too.
You can add your comment in wishlists
https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/170369
https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/179085

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=453

Sorry for my bad English.

+1 from me & +7 my friends to multi-layers(multipages) pdfs. - This is only one reason that we not use Inkscape for all our work.

You know, I really don't get why people look for multiple-page support in Inkscape. I'm making this arguement for arguements sake.

I've never seen request for any other graphics program to support multiple pages. Not Photoshop, GIMP, Paint Shop Pro, Paint.net, Illustrator, etc, etc. None of them do it, as far as i'm aware. Nobody asks for multipage PNG's or JPG's, even EPS or AI. It seems the only reason people expect multiple page support is because Inkscape can save as PDF--but then, so can most graphics programs that doen't have multiple pages.

I think it makes more sense to for a graphics program to only produce the image. If you want to use those images in a printed document then assemble them in a page-layout program like you would with any other image format.

-- A lengthy discussion about multi-page support in Inkscape.

Mm. I understand a lot better now.

Inkscape's goal is to implement SVG standards. So Inkscape's development can only move as fast as SVG standards are established and confirmed. If the standards include animation then Inkscape might eventually support it. If SVG supported juggling clowns...

Got it.

I really don't get why people look for multiple-page support in Inkscape... I've never seen [a] request for any other graphics program to support multiple pages.

CorelDRAW. My first thought upon seeing Inkscape was: "Cool! CorelDRAW for the OpenSource community!"

In its early stages DRAW did not support multiple pages. It provided an environment that allowed users to edit vectors. Eventually bitmap importing was supported.

But the obvious eventually happened. Users found the interface accessible and did far more with it than was ever intended. Requests for more features were filled and DRAW does far more now than I ever imagined possible.

No doubt at a certain point these additions cater to an elite few. And I'm sure the programmers do a lot of work to ensure stability with each new feature that's added.

CorelDRAW is my response to your argument.

But I realize it's a moot point now. It really doesn't matter what we request for Inkscape. It matters what we request for the SVG standards to support. Have I got that right?

Developers have already started working on the design for multiple pages, I wouldn't be surprised if that feature appeared much sooner than is noted in Roadmap.

Inkscape .svg format isn't limited by SVG standards, at least not AFAICT. There is a difference between plain .svg format that has to conform to SVG standards and shouldn't include anything outside of them and Inkscape .svg format. Inkscape .svg on the other hand already contains a number of information that don't have anything to do with SVG standards. Such information include many preferences you set in a file, like guides and grids, zoom levels, window size. Inkscape format also supports layers which aren't part of the official SVG recommendations. Layers (which are actually svg groups specially marked to be used as layers) will probably also be used to expand the feature into multiple pages.

Im not a developer, I hope I haven't stated anything wrong here

Inkscapes SVG is restricted by the standard, in that whatever we do has to be renderable as standard SVG that will be read properly by other SVG apps. All the bits that we do that are beyond the SVG spec are either editing related so dont need to be rendered or are stored in the file in such a way that other apps read a standard svg representation and can render it while we save extra info in our namespace so we can retain editability.
Multipage support is in the plans, and there has been discussion on how to approach implementation/UI but I dont believe any works actually been done on it yet...

thanks

Much appreciated. I should probably have my ear to the ground about SVG development. And I can understand how an SVG file would appear somewhat like an xml file with whole areas blocked off where special software (such as Inkscape) would use such info, sort of likethat sort of thing. This way a browser can display the contents and not trip over Inkscape-specific data.

Yeah. Makes sense.

BobSongs wrote:thanks

Much appreciated. I should probably have my ear to the ground about SVG development. And I can understand how an SVG file would appear somewhat like an xml file with whole areas blocked off where special software (such as Inkscape) would use such info, sort of like

Code: Select all

<!-- guide="60" -->

that sort of thing. This way a browser can display the contents and not trip over Inkscape-specific data.

Yeah. Makes sense.

we just put inkscape specific stuff into the inkscape namespace, so inkscape:variable=whatever
For things like eidtable shapes the parameters are stored as inkscape namespaced variables, but we store the visual product of those in the shapes path (d) variable. Inkscape will always build it from the parameters, but other apps can just render the path.

Why not use Openoffice.org Draw? This can handle multiple pages... (Now I know why the svg-import with openoffice.org draws doesn't work ...)

Cybermonkey342 wrote:Why not use Openoffice.org Draw?

Err, you're asking that question on an Inkscape forum!?

Now I know why the svg-import with openoffice.org draws doesn't work

Why? I'm sure the developers of SVG Import would be very keen to know why their product doesn't work. You should let them know.

I haven't used SVG-import but I would be suprised if it couldn't do the one function it's designed to do, even it it's not flawless.

Thank you, fejack -

For your Scribus recommendation. I need to be able to make multi-page documents, too, but I've never heard of this program before. It looks extremely promising!

microUgly wrote:You know, I really don't get why people look for multiple-page support in Inkscape. I'm making this arguement for arguements sake.

I've never seen request for any other graphics program to support multiple pages. Not Photoshop, GIMP, Paint Shop Pro, Paint.net, Illustrator, etc, etc. None of them do it, as far as i'm aware. Nobody asks for multipage PNG's or JPG's, even EPS or AI. It seems the only reason people expect multiple page support is because Inkscape can save as PDF--but then, so can most graphics programs that doen't have multiple pages.

Just plain wrong. Those InDesign product are designed for the publishing industry in mind and not just web. No only do they have multi-page support, the banner layout is pretty critical and the interface support this. Of course Image or vector file formats don't usually stipulate as such how it would be printed. But that doesn't mean an interface can't.

An interface can reflect a native format, but that doesn't mean the interface is defined in the file format's specification.

Anyway the main point is programs that offer page layout options are desktop publishers. Where as Inscape's primary role is a tool to manipulate SVG. Scribus is a good call for desktop pub.

SVG is an interesting format it is a good example of how XML isn't perfect (pure xml that is). Older formats like VRML handled serialisation in similar ways (although it was before OI not XML), showing that the readability and storage argument at best is personal at worst doesn't add up.

I am a board game designer and I need to design components for my games. The kind of work I do fall in between making pictures and making documents. This is why multipage support is essential to me and scribus cannot do the job.

For example, this morning I wanted to design cards. Generally what I do (in corel draw), I place 9 cards arranged in a 3x3 grid on a sheet, place all the fields and shapes I need and then copy paste everything on different pages according to the number of cards I need. Then I could edit each card's information to make it unique. Finally, I could print all my cards in PDF.

Most people suggest scribus, but scribus does not have as much functionality as inkscape. I tought of using scribus for writting rules because it consist of having text assisted by pictures. But in my case, it's all pictures. I don't want to make a SVG file for each card or each sheet of 9 cards and import it in scribus.

So for me, Multipage support is essential because I need to do a lot of graphics that are going to be assembled together in the same document.

I also need layers, so using layers as pages is not a good solution for me since each page would need multiple layers. The only solution I see if to have 1 file for sheet of cards. Instead of copy pasting, I save as different files and edit each file separately then merge everything.

Still, I lose some features this way. For example, if every card's background is a clone I could change the original and all my cards would be modified. Now, I would need to change the original in each file.

So I decided to leave Corel draw for the bugs and the not open source and while reading a book about inkscape, I am pretty much impressed with everything it can do. But I never thought of hitting the no Multi-page support problem.

I hope it helps understand why multi-page support is essential.

Natively within Inkscape, you can use the "batch export" feature, .png file format only, here is an example for a 4 page slide show..

1. First >File >Save As (Shift+Ctrl+S) the file into the directory/folder for this file, this will serve as the file location of the multiple (batch) exported .png files.

2. Make a rectangul size it to your required page and use this as the first page. Ctrl + D (duplicate it) x3 re-position the vectors for each object below/higher (not stacking order) the first slide.

3. Slide 1 - vector position X=0, Y=0 (Selector Tool Controls Bar) number field
Slide 2 - duplicate of Slide 1 vector position x= -350, Y=0
Repeat and re-postioning Slide 3 and 4, Now you will have four objects. These four objects will be source of the "batch' export feature.

4. Select the first slide and Right-Click it choose >Object >Properties (Shift+Ctrl+O).
In the "object properties" dialog set the first field titled "Id" to the filename you want for this slide i.e, "Presentation XYZ_Slide01", then Click the "Set" button.. Repeat this for the remaining slides.

4a. Suggestion, You should place your batch export objects into their own Single Layer (Shift+Ctrl+L) and place it at the very bottom of your layer order.

5. Do your artwork in new layers (Shift+Ctrl+N) above the batch objects. When you are done, "Show" and Lock all layers above your batch objects. If you have art work that will be repeated per page you have a couple of options, one is to simply duplicate them and place them at the appropriate vector position per slide (vector batch).

6. Show the batch objects layer, Unlock it and press Ctrl+A to select all four slides, now export the 'selection" >File >Export (Shift+Ctrl+E). The Export Bitmap Dialog will open there are FOUR tabs at the top of this dialog. The "Selection" option should already be enabled.

7. In the "Filename" section (bottom area) of this dialog there is a "Batch Export X selected objects" option with X being the number of items you are exporting. Click the checkbox to enable batch exporting and the Click "Export" .
The export will occur in the background (automatic) and will be placed in the directory/folder the Inkscape File you are using was saved/created in.
Note: Batch export will overwrite files without warning

8. Now go to the folder this file was saved at, Step 1, and your .png files along with the artwork above them should be in this folder done...

Tips: I place each pages art work into its own layer(s). Hiding layers (now pages)of a specific page, that are done will help increase inkscapes performance on larger documents. You may also need to go into >View >Mode >Outline or No Filters (Ctrl+Keypad_5) if the amount of objects you have set to Show (layers) is large.. You don't have to come out of Outline or No Filters mode when you 'render' (export .png) your artwork. Inkscape's .png rendering is not dependant on your sessions "View" option, it will render your art with all the effects, attributes, colors, etc.

http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL ... Export-PNG

Finally, then i will shutup, there is an alternative method to do what you want using a separate "svgslice" extension, for more information on the Slice extension - please visit the Inkscape.org FAQ page.. I don't use it because the method above works fine for me. hope this helps...Ok now I am done... zipping the fingers up