Hello everyone. I'm using Inkscape 0.48 on Windows 7 and I'm having some serious exporting issues. I'm working with a printer who can print large format images and I sent him the svg file, but he says when he tries to open it it's blank. I've verified that by trying to open up the svg file in Illustrator. That's my first issue. Then I tried exporting a bitmap as png and that works and looks fine in photoshop but it's at 89 dpi which according to the printer has sawtooth when he blows it up to 100%. I don't see that on my screen but he is a professional and he sees it so that's another issue. The image is large -- 96" wide and 60" tall. I really need to find a way to get into a format that this guy can print and hopefully maintain the original quality. I'm very new at this and need help. What should I do?

Welcome to InkscapeForum!

Let's start with the first issue, because if your printer accepts SVG, you won't have to worry about pixelation. What is supposed to be in the file that's blank when you open it in AI? What type of objects? Any filters? Can you provide the SVG file for us to try to open?

that would be awesome if i could get the svg file to work. it's basically a bunch of numbers on a single layer. i'm new to this so it might be something obvious. how can i send you the svg? thank you for the response!

Just to be clear, you created the SVG file with Inkscape, using the Text tool, right? You didn't purchase an existing SVG, or a raster image and then trace it (using Trace Bitmap), correct? If you made it with the Text tool, try this:
-- Create a new layer
-- Ctrl + A (Select All)
-- Dupicate
-- Shift + Pg Up (moves selection to next layer up)
-- Hide the layer (tiny eye icon)

Now that you have the text saved, in case you might ever need to edit, Select All again, then Path menu > Object to Path. This will convert all your text to paths. You won't be able to edit it as text, but that's why I suggested saving the text in the file.

To my knowledge, AI should not have any trouble with Inkscape text. But I will admit that I become quite confused about different file formats, compatibility, and format conversions. And with some formats, I do know that text is notoriously problematic. So I'm thinking that converting the text to path might work.

After you do Object to Path, save the file again, and look to see if the problem is solved. If not, you can provide us the SVG in one of 2 ways -- either upload as an attachment to your next reply, or upload wherever you choose and give us a link to it.

If you didn't make the image yourself, depending on the contents, we might or might not be able to fix it. But we would still need the SVG file to try it.

brynn, i do not know how to thank you. this worked!!!!! this saved my project and now i'm able to hand it in on time! thank you so much. i hope this helps others.

You're welcome, I'm glad it worked

I just wanted to add although it did work there were some dimensional changes made when it was opened in AI. In Inkscape the svg was 96" wide by 60" tall and AI redrew it as 120" by 75" which is the same ratio as 96" by 60" but too big for my purposes. Eventually saving as pdf worked and I didn't need to save it in AI. I just sent the printer the pdf file and that somehow managed to maintain the 96" by 60" dimensions. Anyway I'm still in debt to you because now I'm able to work in AI. Thanks again!

helios_nj wrote:I just wanted to add although it did work there were some dimensional changes made when it was opened in AI. In Inkscape the svg was 96" wide by 60" tall and AI redrew it as 120" by 75" which is the same ratio as 96" by 60" but too big for my purposes. Eventually saving as pdf worked and I didn't need to save it in AI. I just sent the printer the pdf file and that somehow managed to maintain the 96" by 60" dimensions. Anyway I'm still in debt to you because now I'm able to work in AI. Thanks again!

Inkscape generated SVG files are 90DPI. AI assumes they are 72 DPI. This is why it ended up larger in AI. I don't know of a workaround.

-Rob A>