Tools

2006-03-13T09:11:35Z

N30N: /* gimp2sodipodi */

=== SVG Validator ===
A [http://jiggles.w3.org/svgvalidator/ validator service] (and downloadable tool) is provided by the [[W3C]]. It will complain about sodipodi or inkscape namespaced items in the document, unless you've exported to plain SVG.

=== SVG::Metadata ===
[http://search.cpan.org/CPAN/authors/id/B/BR/BRYCE/SVG-Metadata-0.10.tar.gz Perl module and set of scripts] to help in adding and processing metadata in SVG files.

=== Autotrace and Frontline ===
Autotrace an open source vectorization program by Martin Weber. That means you can convert bitmap images (like scans) to vector graphics. While not optimal for photos, it does good job on line art and poster-like images. Doesn't do too well with color.

Autotrace has some features not available in the embedded [[Potrace]] dialog in Inkscape. For example, there is a ''centerline'' switch that is especially usefull for tracing roads (in maps) or font characters.

Frontline is GUI frontend to Autotrace by Masatake Yamato. Frontline can be run as standalone aplication, but it can also be directly accessed from Inkscape and GIMP.

If you want to have tracing option, you have to install both Autotrace and rontline before compiling Inkscape. Inkscape automatically detects these programs, and adds inline raster to vector conversion option to image menu.

Both autotrace and frontline can be downloaded from [http://autotrace.sourceforge.net/ Sourceforge]. Binaries are available for windows and linux.

=== Potrace ===
[[Potrace]] is now embedded into Inkscape. You don't need to run it separately.
*[[Potrace|Using Potrace through Inkscape]]
*[http://potrace.sourceforge.net/ Potrace page at Sourceforge]

=== Delineate ===
Front end written in java that does interesting things with color images.
*[http://delineate.sourceforge.net/ Delineate at Sourceforge]

=== ill2svg ===
ill2svg (Illustrator to SVG) is a small script that helps turn Adobe
Illustrator .ai files into SVG. While it doesn't always do a perfect job,
it can sometimes be of great help.

To use the program, just type:

<pre>ill2svg.pl [-l "string" -h] infile > outfile.svg

options:
-l specify the file's line-ending convention: dos, mac,
or unix; the default is unix

-h print this message and exit
</pre>

=== gimp2sodipodi ===
Shandy Brown has assembled a somewhat obscure but useful set of tools to get from GIMP to Sodipodi (and thus to Inkscape). That is, convert raster to vector.
*[http://sjbrown.users.geeky.net/gimp2sodi/HOWTO.html gimp2sodipodi instructions.]

=== The Gimp ===
Gimp is firstly a bitmap graphic tool, but:
* It imports SVG (with help of librsvg) into bitmap or vector path, exports SVG.
* Gimp selection can be converted to vector path, and path are exported/imported in SVG.

Gimp can be used to create nice textures to use in inkscape or shapes that can be vectorized in Inkscape. Importing SVG drawings from Inkscape to Gimp allows you to do several effects by filling and stroking shapes.

There is limited drag'n'drop features between Gimp and Inkscape:
* path, can be drag'n'droped from Gimp path dialog to Inkscape
* pictures can be drag'n'droped from Gimp document history to inkscape it that's a recognised format for Inkscape.

*[http://gimp.org gimp.org]

=== Linux Video Editing System ===
LIVES is the Linux Video Editing System that permits editing and
making video without worries about formats, frame sizes, or frame
rates. It doesn't support SVG directly yet, but you can create animated
works by moving your shapes in Inkscape and exporting as numbered
png's.

*[http://www.xs4all.nl/%7Esalsaman/lives/ LIVES]

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