SVG format

[kinetica]

Hello

Can anybody tell me how to open a SVGZ file?

I tried in Photoshop CS3 and Xara Xtreme and it didn't work. My Illustrator is broken right now so I couldn't check it in that (something about CoolType missing).

Grateful for any help

[steve.ledger]

Have you tried InkScape?

Welcome to the TG forums kinetica

[kinetica]

Thank you for that tip!

I'm downloading it now from sourceforge

[kinetica]

I've hit another snag now. Inkscape is installed and running. Seems pretty cool. It opened the SVGZ file without a hitch, and I exported it as an EPS. Photoshop opened the EPS without any problem but of course in Photoshop it's now a bitmap which is no good to me. And Xara gives me an error message that "no filters have been found for this format"

Can anybody help? How do I convert this to a file Xara will recognise?

[kinetica]

I did it!

I exported from Inkscape as an EMF and the EMF imported into Xara perfectly. I can edit it as a vector!

I'm so pleased! Thank you for the tip about Inkscape

EDIT: Hit a problem. Inkscape to Xara using EMF is good EXCEPT if you use transparency or blur (looks like that's their equivalent to feather) and/or gradients, none of which are transferred over. Shame - I do prefer Xara (not too keen on these unix-type interfaces), but if there's any regular Inkscape users out there, I'd love to hear from you - looks like it does any awful lot of what I need it for and it's free.

[steve.ledger]

Why not use use transparency or blur *after* importing in Xtreme?

[handrawn]

you could try exporting from inkscape as PDF rather than EMF - xtreme pro 4 will import the PDF, and I believe xtreme 4 will too, but earlier versions may not.

inkscape is a nice program - it does all the basics, and it has features that xtreme does not, like flood fill, and calligraphy pen tool

but xtreme has a slicker interface and greater stability on windows, and a wider range of transparency options

So it all depends, I use both

[kinetica]

Why not use use transparency or blur *after* importing in Xtreme?

I didn't think of that.

you could try exporting from inkscape as PDF rather than EMF

I didn't think of that.

Thanks!

[morphonius_821]

but if there's any regular Inkscape users out there, I'd love to hear from you - looks like it does any awful lot of what I need it for and it's free.

Join this forum here http://www.inkscapeforum.com/

I think you will find this forum is like a breath of fresh air.
(i.e. FYI this one is no slouch) But all of the users and moderators there struck me as being particularly helpful and friendly, perhaps its an open source thing, probably just a nice people thing.
(I thought it was kinda like the difference between the city and country...many nice people in both but in the former there is a good chance you will come across people who will treat you like a germ in the latter almost no chance)..... anyway nice bunch of folks...
if you need inkscape help that's your avenue.

[kinetica]

Thank you very much, morphonius821, it's very kind of you