I would like to give microstock a try but I don't quite understand saving as eps. I was under the impression that eps files lets the buyer pick and edit different components of the image but when I saved a test picture with multiple layers as eps and opened it in photoshop elements the eps file was flattened to one layer. Is this the way it's suppose to be? Or is it just photoshop E and it needs to be opened in illustrator in order to see and edit the layers?

I'm also unsure as what to what I'm suppose to choose in the dialog box that appears in inkscape when I choose save as eps. Can anyone here who uses inkscape for microstock give me the step by step process for saving the eps file from inkscape?

Another think I'm not quite sure is how do I check if the image has any open paths or transparencies? What I've been doing is select each object in the image and check it's nodes for open paths and the rgb tab in the fill and stroke box for 255 on the A bar and make sure that the opacity slider is 100% Is this the correct way of checking or is there some other easier way?

Thanks for any help and pointers anyone can give me.

Sorry for all the questions on my first post, well actually it's not my first post, I haven't posted in a while and lost all my login details so I had to register again

Welcome to InkscapeForum!

There is a very nice and very recent discussion covering EPS for Microstock, which would probably be helpful for you. I'm in a bit of a rush at the moment, so I can't search it out. But a forum search for "microstock" should turn it up (and there are probably a few others). Or maybe someone else will post the link.

Since Photoshop is entirely a raster editor, it's not capable of displaying vector content. Once you save a vector image in PS, it becomes raster (some people refer to raster as "bitmap"). So yes, what you experienced is how it's supposed to be.

And I'll let those who actually use microstock themselves answer your other questions

Layers are not part of the svg standard.
Inkscape implements the use by creating groups, so inkscape layers might not work even on inkscape svgs opened in illustrator.
As I know postscript document format was created for priners, and not for further editing work.

Thanks for the replies. Yes I found the thread while googling the other day and I found it to be very informative. But I still don't know what I should leave unchecked in the dialog box that appears when I'm saving to eps.

I made a test eps image, in inkscape I made a circle on one layer and a rectangle on a another layer, then saved as eps. I was expecting the layers to be intact when I opened it in photoshop E since it supports layers but instead both the circle and rectangle were on one single layer. I guess the question I'm really asking is how is the client who purchases the eps file suppose to edit it if everything is on one layer. Is grouping preserved if the eps is opened in a vector program?

hi
I sell on (Micro Stock) MS sites too, and it surely feels overwhelming at times I know!
First, may I suggest that you go to the forums on the sites where you have been accepted to sell, there you'll probably get the best info on how it all works.
In the meantime, maybe I can tell you what I do, to get you started.
When you export - the layers will flatten, so to speak, but that's really not an issue that I've ever found to be a problem.
I use Inkscape (which I'll call Inky hereon in BTW) exclusively (can't afford AI, while it does have a few good features, you can't beat the professionalism of Inky! the developers and programmers are simply outstanding!).
ok, so first, ALWAYS do a 'save as' to retain a copy of your Inky SVG, just in case anything crashes, and it will....
Many MS places make you submit both a jpg and an EPS (that alone drives me nuts, lol).
So, now do a 'save as' and save your file (let's call it dog.svg) as an EPS, which you will now name dog.eps, when the Inky box pops up - save it as 'PostScript level 2', (don't know why, but that is what works).
Check the block 'convert texts to paths' - which really you should do yourself anyway, because fonts tend to have issues.
Don't check the EPS + PaTex:....'
No need to check the Rasterize filter effects, because filters can't be used with Inky because they already rasterize the file, and are a big no-no (AI may be able to handle some filters, and it can handle some gradients, but Inky cannot at this time).
You cannot have any low opacity, must be full at 100, and slider scale at 255.
Resolution for rasterization (dpi), put at 300.
Export area is drawing (that depends on how you export, I leave it blank and usually export my entire page), so I check the Export area is page block.
I've not used the 'Limit export to the object... , again it depends on how up upload, for now, leave it blank.

Finding open paths always seems to mess me up, nothing about finding them is quick of easy, you can go into the XTML coding, and that especially helps to find opacity under 100. Surprisingly it's easy to get say a 99.9 and not know it because the color 'appears' full, but even that little amount will get your file booted out.

ok, I think that's the basics. There's a lot more stuff, especially depending on which sites you're on, FTP issues, all that jazz.
Are you a member of any MS forums? They can be a big help too.
good luck
dee

Thank you very much Dee for your helpful post. I haven't joined any microstock sites yet, I've been snooping around the Dreamstime forum, there seems to be quite a few inkscape users there but haven't yet become a member.

I have a couple of other questions:

Will deleting a node make an open path? For example nodes in a rectangle, if a node gets deleted the resulting shape still remains a closed path, right?

Does the calligraphic tool create open paths?

Should everything in the image be grouped before it's saved as eps?

Deleting a node won't result in opening the path. You can open a closed path by selecting two nodes next to each other and unconnecting them with the node editor tool.
Calligraphy tool creates closed paths
Don't know if eps needs grouping. Its all "grouped" together if its on one layer. Did you try to save into eps and reopen in inkscape? Are you sure the groupings are not affected, like in the pdf saving?

I don't know why but I can't open the eps file in inkscape. It opens in photoshop elements but the background is transparent not white even though in inkscape I set the document background to 255 in the rgb tab. Am I doing something wrong?

I'm guessing you set the background colour in the document preferencies. Add an opaque rectangle to the background instead, that will surely work.
I'm not that familiar with the eps format, and I cannot open inkscape saved eps-s with inkscape. Weird.
The program used cairo, which took the pdf saving before ghostscript.
http://cairographics.org/

Thanks much for the tip on the opaque rectangle!

Minky,
Info for a little more clarification, because I think I know what you are trying to ask in regard to MS sites.
You cannot view an EPS file in Inkscape until you follow the instructions given here in another thread about what to add in, then you can view it (it's a little bit different, when you click on Open file, it shows a menu, then you can export the EPS to open). I only recently figured out how to view an EPS in Inkscape!! and that was thx to some kind souls who gave me very specific dee-dumb dumb answers, lol. I was using Ghostscript and Ghostview (both free and small programs, had to download both, but really only use Ghostview to view an EPS). p.s. I use CNET.com to download open source/free programs.
Next question of yours - I think that exporting to an EPS merges or flattens layers, seems like it's done to make a smaller file, but I won't swear to this, it's what I've heard. There is no transparency allowed, and no blank background, EPS will automatically place a white background in if there is no background. (I wish it would automatically raise all alpha to 100% but it doesn't, that's another issue to worry about).

Also, about deleting one node to create an open path, you have to understand how nodes work. I'm not the best person to explain this, but I'll try to make it so you'll understand what MS sites are talking about (pls keep in mind that I'm not a techie type, am the artsy type, so this isn't the perfect explanation and I may mis-name some operations, to which someone can correct me).
You might actually open up an Inkscape document and draw along with reading this, I know that I learn better by doing it. Note that I assume you have some very basic Inkscape knowledge already.

Create a rectangle shape then convert it to a path (using Path/Object to Path), let's add some nodes, go into node mode, select all nodes then click 'add node' to put in some more nodes. ok, now randomly choose one or two nodes somewhere in the middle, that are next to each other - different things can happen: 1. if you click on delete, then you've deleted only the nodes, the path 'usually' remains closed, yet it may (or may not) change the shape. If one of the nodes selected was a corner node, then it would certainly change shape, but for all purposes, your path is still closed. If you only select 1 node and delete it, same thing, you still have a closed path. This object is fine to submit to MS sites. You can get hung up here because sometimes when you delete a node or two it DOES open the path, and you don't know it. The way I can easiest tell is by adding a stroke of a different color, and if part of the object's stroke is missing then it's open and you need to close it.
2. (here's where you need to pay attention to) - select the same 2 nodes as in the above example, and instead of deleting them, you go into the node mode and click on 'delete segment between two non end-point nodes' then you will have an OPEN path. You will see that the path (stroke) is actually missing now. This is NOT ok to submit to MS sites.

Wish there was a way to highlight that last sentence as this is what gets us into trouble with the MS sites. I really don't know why it makes a difference if it's an open or closed path (to the MS companies).
This one gets me into trouble all the time! Somehow I always end up with open paths, don't even realize I'm doing it I guess. I routinely draw by starting with circles and rectangles (many of us drawers do this, esp to create body parts). So, that's the thing to look for. This happens especially when creating body parts. I haven't figured out a workaround that totally saves me. Just wish that there were a way to delete the segment and have it still remain a closed path.... (ok, well, I can dream can't I?) : )
What I do to fix the issue is usually to use my pen or pencil tool and trace over the open object to create a new path, so then it's not an open path. Here's the key thing to know - when you draw a path with the pen or pencil tool, even if you don't close the two ends, it's NOT considered an open path, so it's fine. If you start with a shape that is closed and you delete nodes to open the path, it's NOT fine. This is for submitting works to MS sites purposes only - not sure what the guidelines are for other places, I can only share my experiences.

Also, the site you mentioned (I usually abbreviate it to DS), is a tough site to get things approved one, as they are one of the largest sites, so they already have millions upon millions of vectors and such (not exaggerating either).
Um, I am on a couple of MS sites, and I really don't want to talk about them specifically on this forum - since this place is really for learning the program. Also, I don't want to 'bite the hand that feeds me' so to speak, lol. There are pros and cons to all the MS sites, and the general MS forum is a good place to lurk, though a bit overwhelming (to me anyway, I lurked there for months, and only recently actually joined one so I could post a question). Anyway, if you don't want to join a site, you are welcomed to contact me via the PM here, and I would be happy to privately discuss any MS/where to sell type questions.
hope this helped you more than confused you!! : )
dee

Thanks so much Dee for that info. I do a lot of deleting and adding nodes in my drawings and wondered if that can inadvertently cause an open path. Cool tip about adding stroke to check for open paths, thanks!

Minky - yes adding and deleting can cause it, that happens to me a lot, esp in the current stable version that I am using. Be sure to double check - carefully - when you add and delete nodes, so you may catch it right away. You may notice that when it happens, you might lose a tiny piece of the shape, e.g. if you have a wavy shape, a tiny piece might go straight.
Another tip for finding, is to highlight all the nodes at once, the broken/open path may not highlight those nodes, or if you try to add new/more nodes, you can't, things like that.

Oooh, that's not the answer I wanted to hear. I didn't think preparing art for microstock would be so tedious, I wonder if it's worth the bother.
Thanks for those extra tips.

Well, it's up to each person as to whether or not it's worth it. I see people leaving MS every day, some give up, some stick with it. On avg, these files might give you a commission of between $0.25 - $0.75 CENTS each, a few will be higher, etc. A lot of people have subscriptions at the companies, so they get cheap or free files, and, even if the company gets say $5 for a file, your commission is about $0.75. It takes having a very large portfolio. I'm still trying to get my portfolio's up there, hard to do on some sites, but have about 800 or 900 on one site, and it still needs to be bigger.
I guess it depends on whether or not you can make more money elsewhere. can't hurt to try out at least one site and then see how it goes, you can always leave it....
good luck

I have not tried it yet, but here is an extension that claims to close every open path inside a selection:
http://www.cnc-club.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=37&p=92

i got the latest version 0.48.4 of inkscape and its impossible to save eps.
actually the message is: *. could not be saved

is just me, or this is normal?

I just downloaded that version last week and saving as EPS works fine for me.
Tips/hints: be sure you are saving it using the EPS extension and not PS. It is a slow process to do, so hang in there, when the dropdown menu pops up, choose PostScript Level 2 (not sure why, can't get an answer, but if you choose Postscript Level 3 it just won't work right, you'd think, oh, 3 is higher, but be a later version and better, but not what we need for Microstock).
Be sure to do a Save as, vs save, I noticed that my title changed immediately to filename.EPS, but it still takes up to 30 seconds for a screen to open to choose PostScript 2. Also, if you have any text, be sure to change it to a path first, and also there is a place in the popup screen when saving to put a tick mark about text as well.
So, don't give up. Try it again and let us know, I'll check back here in a few hours in case you have any questions.
dee

inckscape cant save as, eps when eps is created with illustrator.
if eps is created from scratch, then can save it fine.

version 0.48.0 was fine, with that issue.

actually its a huge problem, cause i dont even know how many illustrator created files, i have and always go back to them to find something i had create.

Hello:
pagou: I've found a trick

But i think may be dangerous for your file, so save with othe name before.

Open the eps file with a text editor. I use SCITE (search internet).
I erased several lines, but i think that the key is this line or something similar:


After erased, inkscape can open the eps

Pagou - Interesting that v.48 could handle it. If that's the case, then I would - for now, until this has been fixed- maintain 2 different versions of Inkscape, keep your current one AND the v.48 version. At least that would give you enough time to go in and convert all of your files into a current version.

I was also wondering - and keep in mind that I have no knowledge whatsoever of AI - can an EPS file that was saved in AI be opened again in AI and re-saved as a plain svg version? Then it could be brought into Inkscape and saved as an EPS? Inkscape can deal with plan svg's easily, it's just that the Inkscape svg version retains extra data.

Actually, I'm thinking that when you have a file whether created in Inkscape or AI, that you normally keep the original SVG file too - or is that only me? Because it'd be simple enough to open the svg file from AI into Inkscape, then save as an EPS, maybe more steps than wanted, but maybe that'd get the job done?

hulf2012
@
not in 100 years i would think of that. yew it works. thanks

flamingolady
@
illustrator its not great with svg. i will give weekend to research a work-flow, but i think that the only way, is:
what happen in inkscape, stays in inkscape