Inkscape Question

[Graceman]

I have been playing with inkscape on some patterns, but I notice my patterns are save as svg files. When I look at the patterns on this board, they are jpg files. Can you convert the svg files to jpg files in inkscape.
Thanks,
John

[tas2181]

You can not save files in JPG format in Inkscape. The only option is to go to File- Export Bitmap. You can then export the file which will give you a PNG format. This is a common format that can be converted to a JPG with Irfanview or other image program, if you absolutely need a JPG but most programs etc. recognize the PNG.

[jim_mex]

Hi John - just to add to Tom's reply...

As Tom said Inkscape only allows you to export to the png bitmap format. The question I have is 'why do you want to convert to jpg format?

To expand on that question...

Its true that the majority of images posted on this forum are in jpg format since this is a common way of sharing files through the internet, largely because bitmap (pixel based files) are the defactor standard means to display images on your computer, and are used by image editing programs like Photoshop as well as being the base format for most digital cameras.

Its also a fact that whilst almost anyone with minimal computer skills can handle bitmap images on their computer this is not the case with vector based images which more often than not require a knowledge of vector based software to view and work with them. Having said this a number of sophisticated image viewing software now include filters to view both bitmap and vector images

If you are producing patterns for your own use in a vector illustrating format using a program such as Inkscape, CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator or Xara Photo & Graphic designer it pays to retain your files in a svg or editable pdf format or in whatever native file type your vector program uses since your drawings can then be easily edited at a later date in one of these programs if for example you want to slightly change a pattern or dramatically scale it upwards without losing clarity of line.

If you want to share your Inkscape drawings on for example this forum you have a couple of options. One as Tom has mentioned is to export as a png which is a bitmap based format which almost anyone can open and view. The second, also touched on by Tom, and my preference, is to save as a pdf format using the Inkscape Save as command and choosing the pdf option in the file type dropdown list. By using pdf not only is this still accessible to almost all computer users since practically everyone has Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat installed on their computer but it also enables anyone familiar with using vector graphic software to edit the file if they wish.

Btw, on this last point, another reason why many images on the internet are still published in bitmap format - for example, sample images shown in pay as you go image depositories like Shutterstock . is precisely to stop folks from downloading sample images and then editing them. To do this they expect you to buy the vector version - LOL!

If you wish to display or share files on this forum you can choose a bitmap format or a pdf format, the difference being that bitmap files will show as thumbnail images in your post which when clicked on will show in the built in based viewer the forum uses whilst pdf format require to be opened or downloaded to see their content.

Hope this helps clear the confusion.