Hi Forum,

is it possible to import a x-y-table (for example MS Excel) to create a new path in a svg-document?

I have to do a big diagram with about 80 curves. Each curve is described with about 20 X-Y coordinates. Each curve should be smoothend with Bezier.

Maybe there is an example or a tutorial. I'm new to Inkscape.

Thank you for your interest to my problem

Klaus from West Canada

Inkscape has a Function Plotter but it draws functions, not coordinates. I think you'll have to use another software to mark the dots, then import it in Inkscape and draw nice smooth lines.

Maybe someone knows of a better solution.

Would probably be quite easy to create either a python script to convert the xy to svg paths, or to create a excel macro to do it.

Simarilius wrote:Would probably be quite easy to create either a python script to convert the xy to svg paths, or to create a excel macro to do it.

Sorry for reposting, but I do not know how to reply to a reply

Thank you "Similarius"

This is what I did, or similar to that what you recommend. I created in Inkscape a poly line with Just a random zig zag. In Excel, where the table with the x,y values was calculated, I used the Excel text funktions to create a Path string "M x1,y1 L x2,y2 L x3,y3....." In Inkscape I selected the "zig zag" and opened the XML-Editor with Menu - Edit -XML-Editor... In Excel I copied the Path string and pasted it to the Attribute d of the XML-Editor. After that I smoothened the curve with the Bezier tool of Inkskape.

It works that way. But doing it 80 times for 80 curves is a bit boring. And so I contacted the forum.

Have a nice weekend
KlausCDN

Can you not create the curve in Excel? If you can, and you just need it as SVG, you should be able to get the curve object out of Excel and into Inkscape.

If your looking to Inkscape because Excel can't create the curve, there are perhaps other programs that could create your curve from the raw data easier then getting Inkscape to do it.

microUgly wrote:Can you not create the curve in Excel? If you can, and you just need it as SVG, you should be able to get the curve object out of Excel and into Inkscape.

If your looking to Inkscape because Excel can't create the curve, there are perhaps other programs that could create your curve from the raw data easier then getting Inkscape to do it.

Thank you,

the problem is more complex. Excel can make my diagram but it cannot export it in SVG-Format. It only exports bitmap files. I want the diagram to be printed by a professional sign maker and he only can handle SVG files. So I'm somewhat trapped.

My market searches for a program making SVG diagram from value lists were not succesful yet.

Thank you for your interest.

regards
Klaus

I'd export as CSV, use some CSV lib to read it, print as paths, and paste the whole lot over in a text editor.

xxx wrote:Excel can make my diagram but it cannot export it in SVG-Format. It only exports bitmap files.

I'm pretty sure you can get your diagram out as WMF. Once you have the WMF there are a few ways to convert it to SVG. One is to use http://convert.neevia.com/ to convert it to PDF, then open the PDF in Inkscape.

I believe the trick to get a diagram out of Excel is to save the document as a web page. It'll create a HTML file and folder with a few image types in it. One of them should be a WMF. Note that I'm going from memory. If you try and can't get the WMF, let me know and figure out the exact process.

Hi MicroUgly,

you seem to be the ultimate expert. Your recommendation to follow the WMF path looks promising. My Excel (Version 2000) doesn't seem to support this format. But thank you for your effort. {'m trying hard and if I'm successful I will keep you informed.

Kind regards
Klaus

microUgly wrote:

xxx wrote:Excel can make my diagram but it cannot export it in SVG-Format. It only exports bitmap files.

I'm pretty sure you can get your diagram out as WMF. Once you have the WMF there are a few ways to convert it to SVG. One is to use http://convert.neevia.com/ to convert it to PDF, then open the PDF in Inkscape.

I believe the trick to get a diagram out of Excel is to save the document as a web page. It'll create a HTML file and folder with a few image types in it. One of them should be a WMF. Note that I'm going from memory. If you try and can't get the WMF, let me know and figure out the exact process.

Hi,

I was successful in my search for programs and found "www.svgmaker.com". Good program but Excel's performance in smoothening curves is rather poor. "Svgmaker " revealed that MS Excel doesn't use the Curve "C" element in the path but only litte Line "L" steps and so the curve is finally still edgy.

My recommendation is not to use Excel Chart Export for high level XY-Graphs.

Regards
Klaus

You can install gnumeric (http://projects.gnome.org/gnumeric/), open your data file, and plot it into Gnumeric (which exports to SVG). A nice tutorial about it :
http://screencasters.heathenx.org/episode-078/

Have a nice day.
Headwar

Headwar wrote:You can install gnumeric (http://projects.gnome.org/gnumeric/), open your data file, and plot it into Gnumeric (which exports to SVG). A nice tutorial about it :
http://screencasters.heathenx.org/episode-078/

Have a nice day.
Headwar

Yep Gnumeric can do that. I think you can open an .xls file in Gnumeric as well. And for those wanting to use OpenOffice Calc there is a way as well, explained in rico's comment to the screencast episode you cited: http://screencasters.heathenx.org/episo ... mment-1182

RQ

Headwar wrote:You can install gnumeric (http://projects.gnome.org/gnumeric/), open your data file, and plot it into Gnumeric (which exports to SVG). A nice tutorial about it :
http://screencasters.heathenx.org/episode-078/

Have a nice day.
Headwar

Hi, this was the ultimate advice. gnumeric is great. I will use it in future
Thank you, thank you
Regards
Klaus