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Technical Help & Discussion => Apple, Linux & Open Source Software: Help, News & Discussion => Topic started by: GillE on October 03, 2009, 03:24

Title: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: GillE on October 03, 2009, 03:24
How can I convert graphics files with AI (Adobe Illustrator) and EPS extensions into files with either CDR (CorelDraw) or SVG (Inkscape) extensions?
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: sam on October 03, 2009, 03:39
EPS - that's encapuslated postscript is it? They should be able to be opened by Inkscape without any problems...

AI - I don't know much about those files...

What system are we using here? If its ubuntu then imagemagick should have been installed by default... just pop open a terminal and type:

convert XX.AI XX.SVG and see what happens...(it will take the AI file and write a new file) I dont have a file to give it a go so can't tell you if it works (more info at http://www.imagemagick.org/script/convert.php) but its pretty good with most formats.
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: GillE on October 03, 2009, 10:35
I'm using Vista :ack: . 

I have been looking for a method to convert various vector graphics into either CorelDraw or Inkscape recognisable formats.  Most open source vector graphics seem to be in either AI or EPS format and are produced by users of Linux operating systems, which is why I asked the question here.  Yet surprisingly, Inkscape does not recognise EPS!

I hadn't heard of ImageMagick but I'm downloading it right now.  Let's see how it goes.  Thanks for the suggestion :) .
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: GillE on October 03, 2009, 10:50
What should I do now I've downloaded it?  The website says to 'launch your Visual Studio IDE'.  How do I do that?
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: Simon on October 03, 2009, 12:45
Sorry Gill, I have no experience of this, and bear in mind, Sam is in Canada now, so there's a 7 hour time difference.  :)
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: Rik on October 03, 2009, 12:53
IAC, Corel should be able to open an EPS file directly... Otherise, download Ghostscript and use that to render the file to another format, or print it.

http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: GillE on October 03, 2009, 13:19
I've installed Ghostscript.  Now I'm in the land of the Command Prompt and it's scary!  I've looked at the help documentation here...

http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/doc/intro.htm
http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/doc/cvs/Use.htm

... and I'm completely bewildered.
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: Simon on October 03, 2009, 13:39
Command Prompt is Rik's world!  :)
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: Rik on October 03, 2009, 15:44
Add GSView, Gill:

http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/gsview/index.htm
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: GillE on October 03, 2009, 23:47
Done that, Rik.

Next?

 :)
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: sam on October 04, 2009, 00:49
I'm not sure about image magik in vista to be honest... my knowledge of vista graphics software stops with "photoshop/gimp" and can you boot up ubuntu! :-D Though I can be a bit of help...

Once you have GSView you should be able to use it to open up the EPS files.... and save it ask a pdf or some such. I'm surprised photoshop/gimp (http://www.gimphelp.org/formats.shtml) didn't open up the EPS files.
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: sam on October 04, 2009, 00:50
Sorry Gill, I have no experience of this, and bear in mind, Sam is in Canada now, so there's a 7 hour time difference.  :)

Indeed... also doesn't help when Sam is out on a photoshoot some 200km away from Calgary
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: GillE on October 04, 2009, 02:19
Ach, don't worry folks.  I'll sort something out.

If it wasn't for the fact that Linux has nothing on Vista's TV compatibility (sorry - Myth doesn't cut the mustard yet) and its dependence on the Command Prompt, I'd be inclined to switch.  Linux graphics files are much more adaptable than those of Windows.

Off topic slightly, but I've just discovered the joys of getiplayer (http://linuxcentre.net/getiplayer/).  I wonder if it works in Canada?
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: sam on October 04, 2009, 04:30
Ach, don't worry folks.  I'll sort something out.

I seriously think GIMP (which works on windows too) is possibly the way to go...

If it wasn't for the fact that Linux has nothing on Vista's TV compatibility (sorry - Myth doesn't cut the mustard yet) and its dependence on the Command Prompt, I'd be inclined to switch.  Linux graphics files are much more adaptable than those of Windows.

I wouldn't say its dependant on the commandline anymore - well maybe with fancy hardware but the average machine now can be loaded with Ubuntu and it will work out of the box (well as well as windows does anyway).... and to install addons you can do all of this graphically. I choose to use the commandline as it puts me in charge and so so flexible... especially when you have a bash prompt... I can convert all of the graphics files I want with one line of code into any other format and rename them all accordingly.

Off topic slightly, but I've just discovered the joys of getiplayer (http://linuxcentre.net/getiplayer/).  I wonder if it works in Canada?

Alas these tools don't seem to work from here (I could probably pipe it through my machine at my parents... but the bbc shows I actually want to see appear as torrents fairly quickly so isnt worth the hassle), actually I've not tried getiplayer (looks like its a nice tool!) but it looks like the backend is based on some code written by a friend of mine (well not really in touch too much now, but we used to live in the same flat in my first year of my degree... http://po-ru.com/projects/iplayer-downloader/)
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: Simon on October 04, 2009, 11:23
Do you reckon you're ever going to look at all those photos again, Sam?  6028 now!   ;D  Some of them, I have to say, are very good, and the Dorothy pics are nice and moody.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: Rik on October 04, 2009, 11:46
What is the file, Gill, and what do you want to do with it. I was thinking I might have a utility lurking somewhere which could help.
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: sam on October 04, 2009, 15:25
Do you reckon you're ever going to look at all those photos again, Sam?  6028 now!   ;D  Some of them, I have to say, are very good, and the Dorothy pics are nice and moody.  :thumb:

I'm not sure to be honest - I'll probably look at the ones I deem blogable over and over again, they tend to be my favourite shots. I just enjoy taking photos and find it very difficult to choose what to upload, especially at the moment. Thanks, I was quite pleased with the Dorothy pics... oh and I saw this after I posted my "life in calgary thread".. but if anyone is confused by the Dorothy pics, its a place not a person... http://www.flickr.com/photos/starrydude/sets/72157622510448290/
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: Rik on October 04, 2009, 15:57
I just enjoy taking photos and find it very difficult to choose what to upload

I you want people to think you're a good photographer, Sam, be utterly ruthless. Also, don't stick to standard size/shapes of image. Cropping can make a good picture an excellent picture, sometimes you can even find two good pictures in something you'd otherwise discard.
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: Simon on October 04, 2009, 17:12
I really should make more of an effort, seeing as I've just bought a new camera.  My trouble is, I'm just too lazy to go anywhere interesting.  :(
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: Rik on October 04, 2009, 17:34
Interesting is all around, Simon, it's seeing it which is the trick. I saw a great shot of raindrops on a car bonnet once, it doesn't sound anything, but as an image, it really worked. A good photo is about making people look at things differently.
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: Simon on October 04, 2009, 17:51
I keep saying I should get out more.  :)
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: Rik on October 04, 2009, 18:12
Go stand on your drive... ;)
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: Simon on October 04, 2009, 18:21
People will look...  ;D
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: Rik on October 04, 2009, 18:26
Not if you get dressed first. ;D
Title: Re: Graphics File Conversion
Post by: Simon on October 04, 2009, 19:13
Oh...  :)x