Craft Edge

I've been uploading various public domain SVG files. What I've noticed is that many files use layers upon layers upon layers of colors and translucent films to give a more 3-d look and for shadowing, or shininess.

I think, at least sometimes, that the "double line syndrome" many of you have noticed is that there are more layers that can be peeled away.

In Inkscape, you can click on an object, click Object, then Ungroup. That separates a chunk of the layers and you can grab on a piece and move it out of the way, grab another and repeat. Most often there are multiple clear, or foggy looking layers that you need to grab and move out of the way before you get to the true base object. While moving things, you may move a piece that actually contain parts. You may need to ungroup these too.

It's possible that these invisible-like layers are interfering with your base design, thus causing double lines. I'm sure it's not always the case, but it is something I noticed while providing you with SVG files.

I actually opened one of the flourishes (horizontal 2) svgs in Illustrator and it in actuality was not an outline of the flourish. But a single line stroke with a thicker thickness then a line. So it was not a closed path.

So when I imported the original file directly into SCAL no cutlines showed.

Unless of course the SVG files are just uploading for people to tinker with in Inkscape.

It seems not all SVG files are created equal. And from what I have read there they have to be closed path in order to cut.

Hopefully this info will help some.

enjoy!
Chris

I removed the flourishes you're talking about. My intent is to help people find files they can use. I found quite a stash of public domain graphics and thought others might be interested in having some here that are easy to grab. They nearly all need to be separated (ungrouped, not sure about break apart in Inkscape, or other SVG editing program). Many of the files have transparent layers that can be pulled off and deleted if they don't add anything to the cut version. I think these transparent layers is what gets some people in trouble with double lines - not all, but certainly some.

I have not gone through the files carefully to identify difficulty level or closed paths. I'll try to watch out for that with additional files and have started making some comments. Once I finish uploading my files, I can go back through them and make comments about how they might cut, or difficulty level. On a couple of files, I did remove some of the transparency layers that would have given double lines and are not important layers for the cut version. It's pretty time consuming to do that so I'm not sure I'll do it for all files, maybe I could do it on an as needed basis for those who ask.

I also want to encourage other people to post free, copyright-free SVG images on these boards. If there's a possibility of a copyright issue, provide a link. I really hope you get some good out of these and enjoy seeing them.

I think it is definitely a worthy cause. I just thought I would take a peek to see what might be the issue to help out with knowledge of path vs stroke vs nodes vs points. And thought this might help some out.

I think you are doing a great job! And I definitely know how time consuming it can all be. And I thought they might be put up just for inkscape users to tinker and figure out how to cut it which is also a learning advantage.

Enjoy!
Chris

Something else I am curious about to.. I am noticing alot of files are filled. when creating a file for many other cutter files they have to be outline. If they are filled they won't work. However, in SCAL if they are filled it doesn't seem to matter. Is this a usual or just a quirk that they worked in some of the svg files I imported?

Thanks for the help!
Enjoy!
Chris

Thank you Chris, I really appreciate your input! Any tips you have would be helpful for all.

I think the filled objects will cut fine - as long as the transparent or translucent layers are moved aside or deleted, and all other pieces separated so they will cut independently. In Inkscape, you can click on View, then Outline and you can see the lines that would be cut. I don't think transparent pieces will show up in Outline view though. In Normal view, you just kind of have to click and drag. If you can't see the object you just drug, I'd say delete it as it probably wouldn't add much to the cut version anyway.

I removed the flourishes you were talking about, and tried cutting one of the others - the two in the 2nd post. The lines going around like squares cuts fine... but, it does not resize well. Sometimes resizing gets the lines out of proportion and even crooked - in many designs, not just this one. I put notes on that flourish too.

Thanks again for your insights! I would like to make corrections, or at least notes about the files I post. Due to time, I'll likely have to do amend posts as things are brought to my attention rather than my desire of just going through them all. I have a lot more files...

Wendy