Inkscape to Anime Studio Pro

mantismachine · Post by **mantismachine** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:27 am

Straight up.....how do I import an eps file from Inkscape into Anime Studio Pro? I go to the file menu and select import eps file....choose my file and then nothing happens. What's the deal? Does anyone have an idea about what I'm talking about? Help!!!

heyvern · Post by **heyvern** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:53 am

The Inkscape eps format apparently is not compatible with AS. I can't recall the details.

-vern

ulrik · Post by **ulrik** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:42 am

You can save to illustrator format from inkscape and import it to AS

2ner · Post by **2ner** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:28 pm

I tried that, but I don't see Illustrator as an option in the list of formats to save as in Inkscape. I'm on Windows. Maybe Mac or Linux is different.

ulrik · Post by **ulrik** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:38 pm

I'm on mac, osx 10.4, maybe it's difference if you compiled it yourself or downloaded a binary, I have the latest binary for osx, (version 0.46) and it has the "save in illustrator format" option.
Do you use that latest version?

2ner · Post by **2ner** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:00 pm

Yes, 0.46

ulrik · Post by **ulrik** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:17 pm

Then I don't know why you can't save in illustrator format, maybe it is, as you said, difference in windows version compared to mac version.

2ner · Post by **2ner** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:19 pm

inkscape.org FAQ says Illustrator export without qualifications, so I don't understand.

2ner · Post by **2ner** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:31 pm

I am able to export enhanced metafile (.emf) from inkscape and import it into Expression 3 and export Illustrator 7, which I can import into ASP. Exporting .eps from Expression 3 works, but after importing to ASP it's messed up. I've found .emf handy before in moving vector data between programs.
It would be nice to have a script to import Inkscape's peculiar .eps format.
Also would be nice to import .svg.

Does anybody with windoze have inkscape, and can you confirm that .ai is not an export option?

mkelley · Post by **mkelley** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:00 pm

I know, you don't want to hear this but I really would be remiss if I didn't at least mention this -- you're FAR far better off simply drawing the image again in AS using the superb AS tools.

Even using Adobe Illustrator art and exporting direct (which IS supported) you're still better off retracing -- the vector art will come in with twice as many vertices and not be optimized for animation. And it's super super fast to redraw something in AS if you have a background art to trace -- I don't know why you'd want to bother any other way.

So my own advice is to export as a bitmap and bring in as a background and recreate in AS. You'll be much happier (and you will learn to use the wonderful AS drawing tools).

mantismachine · Post by **mantismachine** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 6:40 am

First, thank you all for the input. So, aside from the Illustrator fix (I don't own Illustrator) there is no way to import some sort of vector file from inkscape to use in ASP. Am I understanding everyone correctly? I just want to make sure before I bash my face against the monitor for spending 200 bucks on a program that doesn't do what I thought it would. .... I mean it even says in the advertisement that you can import an "Illustrator LIKE document". Ok I'm done ranting. It's late here. Thanks again everybody.
Peace through art!

slowtiger · Post by **slowtiger** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:16 am

I checked the Smith-Micro website and the manual (which you could download separately before buying), and it only says "imports EPS", in the manual it says "imports Illustrator 8 only".

I just installed Inkscape on my Mac and really wondered why anybody would want to use it. It doesn't export to .ai here because I don't have "ghostscript" installed, whatever that is. In the manual it doesn't specify which of the at least 6 different .ai versions it would export to. That's not a good sign.

Inkscape itself is very clumsy to use, IMO. You didn't mention the OS you're working on - if it's Linux, then maybe you don't have a choice. But even then I strongly recommend that you create your animation art directly in AS. What's the use in creating effects which won't export, or if you could import .ai files but spend hours with cleaning them up?

Let's face it, AS isn't very good in importing vector artwork, mostly because it uses a Bezier curve much different from what other programs use. It also fails when you want to export AS animation to Flash and notice all your gradients and brushes will not show in Flash. These limitations are mentioned in the manual, and if you know them you can live quite comfortably with it.

Maybe you're better off if you explain to us which kind of artwork you want to animate and why you think you can only create it in Inkscape - we could then discuss a way you could achieve the same result in AS. (If your only reason is "But I'm used to it!", I'm sorry - this doesn't count among professionals. We are always expected to deliver results, no matter if our employer uses Illustrator on Windows, although we would prefer Freehand on Mac.)

mantismachine · Post by **mantismachine** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 8:30 pm

I found a way around my problem. Thank you all for you help.

chucky · Post by **chucky** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:00 am

Hi Mantis, maybe you should share your discovery with everyone else?

patricia3d · Post by **patricia3d** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 4:14 am

@mantismachine
please share your knowledge. I got inkspace and AS5.6 pro both?

Inkscape to Anime Studio Pro

Inkscape to Anime Studio Pro

just making sure i understand

Found a solution