Converting PDF files to SVG (for SCAL) with Inkscape

[ceep]

I have some interesting cutting files on my blog, but mostly in PDF and GSD format. But the good news is...you can easily convert the PDF versions to SVG (for use with SCAL) using Inkscape.

For single layer files (cut lines only) go here:
http://extremecards.blogspot.com/2009/0 ... files.html

For multi layer files (cut and score lines) go here:
http://extremecards.blogspot.com/2009/0 ... s-for.html

Carol
Extreme Cards and Papercrafting

[firstcut]

Thanks for sharing these, Carol!
Am curious if someone has cut the single layer file in SCAL2. It looks like it has open paths, which wouldn't cut in SCAL1 but might cut in SCAL2 so I'm anxious to hear if this is one that will work in SCAL2.

[ceep]

One of my readers cut the lattice window file successfully. I know she has SCAL2 so I would be curious to see what the file does on the old version.

I'm certainly no expert on SCAL, but my impression is that you get what you see--if it's in red, it cuts, no more, no less. If SCAL sees something as an open line it tends to close it for you (gee thanks) and you get extra lines criss-crossing the design. They show up in the preview pane.

Carol

[firstcut]

Thanks for the info, Carol. The window pane appears to have closed paths, I was curious about the heart file. I have had a few files preview OK but close the path when it cut, though that is rare. SCAL2 users have reported that it will cut open paths. I'm a Mac user so I can't test them for myself but I am very curious as to what types of open paths it will and will not cut.
-Kay

[ceep]

I'm sure it's one of those "your experience may vary" things.

[HeatherM]

I just had a chance to try out cutting an open path. The preview looked great, but the "preview all" showed the same old. So I cut it to see what would actually cut and it cut just like SCAL1 and the "preview all". See below for the screen shots of the file I tested with "preview" on the left and "preview all" on the right.

open path.png (9.12 KiB) Viewed 3474 times

[ceep]

Yup, unfortunately you are absolutely right. I cannot figure out why some lines that look like open paths ARE open paths, and some are closed. I don't draw them any differently!

Carol

[jasenj1]

I just spent an hour or so fighting this issue. Saved a PDF as SVG and there were a bunch of open paths. Took me a long time to hunt them all down and close them. After wasting several sheets of paper I finally wised up and used the "Preview" button. Lesson learned.

- Jasen.

[HeatherM]

I just spent an hour or so fighting this issue. Saved a PDF as SVG and there were a bunch of open paths. Took me a long time to hunt them all down and close them. After wasting several sheets of paper I finally wised up and used the "Preview" button. Lesson learned.

- Jasen.

The biggest problem with finding open paths in SCAL2 is that they don't show in Preview, and if they are inside another shape they won't show in Preview All either.

A lot of the PDF's not made for cutting are made with line segments rather than closed shapes. You can usually get away with straight line segments, but curves usually cut a straight line between the endpoints.

[jasenj1]

I think I finally solved the problem by using Path/Outset. That seemed to create a new path - nicely closed. But I don't think that will work for every shape.

- Jasen.