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Message #04798
[Bug 171054] Re: PDF better under "Export" than "Save As"
I agree that "Save" and "Save As" should be restricted to Inkscape-
compatible SVG and all other formats should be handled by "Export".
Reading through the past postings, I notice there is confusion between
these two notions:
1. The current implementation (mine is 0.91) is functionally complete
in the save/export department.
2. The current implementation isn't optimal.
You can certainly "export" to PDF by "saving as" (item 1). But the
current implementation is a bit confusing and annoying (item 2).
You edit your SVG image and save it; you then "save" it as PDF; you try
to quit inkscape, but it insists that you have to save it as SVG not to
lose your edits.
Why does this happen? Because the notions of "saving" and "exporting"
aren't clearly distinguished.
By convention (look at major wordprocessors, image editors, etc.),
"save" means save the current document. Therefore, "saving as" PDF
means that you save the current document as PDF and then the new PDF
file "becomes" the new current document. Subsequent saving overwrites to
that PDF file. Then why ask about SVG when quitting inkscape?
The fact is that the current document cannot "become" PDF because PDF
cannot express everything the inkscape-SVG does: when you export to PDF,
some information is lost. Therefore you cannot "save" as PDF: all you
can do is to "export" to it.
. . . This is how the two notions are distinguished by convention. It's
desirable that Inkscape should follow the convention, not to confuse or
irritate the user.
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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/171054
Title:
PDF better under "Export" than "Save As"
Status in Inkscape:
Triaged
Status in inkscape package in Ubuntu:
Triaged
Status in inkscape package in Debian:
Confirmed
Bug description:
Currently the "Save As" dialog lists vector formats
including PDF, PS and so on, while the "Export" dialog
supports bitmap formats (PNG, etc?).
In my typical usage, which I don't imagine is unusual,
all formats other than SVG would be better considered
as "Exports". If I want to make a PDF file I currently
have to "save as" PDF and then remember to "save as"
the original SVG file again so that subsequent saves go
to the right place.
I think it would improve useability to include bitmap
and vector formats such as PDF in the "Export" dialog.
Alternatively, an additional menu entry "Export
vector..." could be included next to "Export bitmap...".
Another approach is to have a "save a copy" dialog
where a different file type can be chosen without
affecting the filename and format that will be used for
subsequent normal saves.
--Phil.
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