I am trying to convert a SVG file to DXF and every time I try I get this
message:

"The fantastic lxml wrapper for libxml2 is required by inkex.py and
therefore this extension. Please download and install the latest version
from http://cheeseshop.python.org/pypi/lxml/, or install it through your
package manager by a command like: sudo apt-get install python-lxml"

I went to the site and downloaded the file. It was a large folder with a
bunch of files in it and I have no idea what to do with them. I tried a
couple things– like adding the files to the extension folder of
Inkscape– but none of them worked. I am not an expert with this, just
trying to make a compatible file (DXF) to be able to cut images I
created in Illustrator with my Silhouette Cameo cutter.

Anybody know what to do?

ps. I have a Mac – Version 10.7.3

See the replies to the same question asked two weeks ago here in the forum:

• Re: Trouble saving as DXF using Mac

and also this one (the problem affects all python-based extensions on OS X 10.7 (Lion), not only DXF export):

• Re: Using Extension "Restack" on Mac OSX 10.7 (Lion)

Welcome to InkscapeForum!

There have been several messages about that fantastic wrapper thing lately. Apparently it's not quite as wonderful as its name sounds, lol That was a joke. Actually I don't understand the problem, but it's something to do with Inkscape on Macs. You could probably search the forum, and find the answer. I know I've read all the messages, but it doesn't stick with me, since I don't use a Mac.

If I recall, ~suv has answered all or most of those recent "fantastic xml wrapper" messages. So I would ask ~suv, is this something that is likely to be a problem for more than say....several months to a year to come? Because if it is, I wouldn't mind writing up a brief tutorial, to link into the forum's FAQ topic, to try and reduce the frequency this problem gets posted. Or if you recall one of your replies which covers all the needed info, and you could share the link, I'll save it. Then at least I could post that link, and save you having to answer it every time (That is, only if you like. I know you're very busy. I don't mean to imply that you can't or don't want to answer them all. Just offering to help, if I can ) But if this has already been fixed (in dev version) it's probably not worth the effort to write a tutorial.

Thanks for your help! These are the instructions I found through links ~suv posted and it worked!

Steps to work around the known issue of python-based extensions not working with the official Inkscape 0.48.2 package on OS X 10.7 Lion:

Prerequisites:
- unmodified version of Inkscape 0.48.2 installed
- alternative text editor is available (see earlier comment)
- quit all open Inkscape windows

1) Open a new Finder window and browse to the directory where you installed Inkscape to (most likely '/Applications').
2) select 'Inkscape', open the context menu (with the right mouse button or 'Ctrl+mouse button' for single-button mouse or 'Ctrl+tap' with the trackpad) and choose the entry 'Show Package Contents'
3) within the package contents, browse to 'Contents > Resources > bin'
4) in 'Contents > Resources > bin' open the file 'inkscape' in a plain-text editor (use drag&drop for example, or 'Open with…' from the context menu)
5) once you have the file (a shell script) open in the text editor, go to line 32.
The content of line 32 is:

export VERSIONER_PYTHON_PREFER_32_BIT=yes

6) above line 32, insert a new line with this text:

export VERSIONER_PYTHON_VERSION=2.6

7) save the changes (make sure that no (hidden) file extension is added)
8) test Inkscape: launch the app and use for example 'Extensions > Render > Gear…' as test

If all went well, all python-based extensions (those from the menu 'Extensions' as well as those used for input/output extensions to support other file formats) will work now as expected.

Oh, gosh! ~suv, you posted your first reply while I was typing mine, and when I posted, I didn't see your reply. I guess instead of a tutorial, I will save those links, so I can offer them for any new topics about this. Thanks