Can you layer an svg?
Can you layer an svg?
Can you make layers in an svg or do they all have to be like a flat die?
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firstcut
- Posts: 1822
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- Location: FL; SCAL1, SCAL2; Mac; Ink .47, AI CS4
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Re: Can you layer an svg?
Yes you can make layers in an svg using the Layers menu in Inkscape. When you are ready to save for export to SCAL, simply switch off the layers you do not want to show.
Re: Can you layer an svg?
SCAL does not understand layers, so you do need to have a flat image when you are ready to cut.
Re: Can you layer an svg?
HUH? LOL I am completely lost. Can you walk me through this...PLEASE!!!!! 
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HeatherM
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Re: Can you layer an svg?
You might want to watch these videos. They ramble a little, but might help you with layers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5d-nDjs3bg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tonaHWt ... feature=iv
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5d-nDjs3bg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tonaHWt ... feature=iv
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firstcut
- Posts: 1822
- Joined: Sun Dec 21, 2008 6:19 pm
- Location: FL; SCAL1, SCAL2; Mac; Ink .47, AI CS4
- Contact:
Re: Can you layer an svg?
CAL doesn't have layers so when you import a layered SVG it flattens the image to what is visible on the screen, as well as resizing it to what you have your default size set in SCAL. You can still take advantage of the layers in Inkscape, though.
Let's use the US flag as an example. Here's how you would do it taking advantage of layers:
Open a new document in Inkscape and draw a rectangle that will be the size of the finished flag. Draw the red stripes and a blue rectangle with stars.
Now we will add some layers to facilitate cutting each color separately.
To do this, choose Layers>Add Layer and make 2 new layers on top of the original one. I'd name my new layers red and blue and rename my original layer to white using the Layers>Rename layer command.
Now select your 13 red stripes and choose Layer>Move Selection to Layer above so that they are on the red layer.
Go back to the original layer (now called white) using the layer navigation box at the bottom of the screen.
Select the blue rectangle and stars and choose Layer>Move to Selection Layer twice so that they hop to the blue layer.
Now when you want to print, turn off the red and blue layers using the layer box at the bottom of the screen and toggling the eye icon for each of those layers to off (eye shut). Next select the rectangle and note its size. Save a copy (File>Save a Copy) as flagwhite.svg or something similar. Import into SCAL and resize to original size.
Turn the red layer back on and turn the white layer off. The US flag has red stripes on the top and bottom so the overall size of the red layer will be exactly the same size as the white layer. Save another copy as flagred and follow same steps as for the white layer.
Now turn off the red and white layers and note the size of the blue rectangle since it will be different from the red and white layers but must remain in perfect proportion to them. Save a copy of the blue layer and again follow the same steps to import and cut.
Now you have all of the flag parts cut at the right size and the layered file is much easier to edit and share than 3 separate ones.
This is a lot easier to do than to explain but I hope that helps. All this working around is necessary since SCAL won't import at actual size. Hopefully that feature will be added in the next update.
Let's use the US flag as an example. Here's how you would do it taking advantage of layers:
Open a new document in Inkscape and draw a rectangle that will be the size of the finished flag. Draw the red stripes and a blue rectangle with stars.
Now we will add some layers to facilitate cutting each color separately.
To do this, choose Layers>Add Layer and make 2 new layers on top of the original one. I'd name my new layers red and blue and rename my original layer to white using the Layers>Rename layer command.
Now select your 13 red stripes and choose Layer>Move Selection to Layer above so that they are on the red layer.
Go back to the original layer (now called white) using the layer navigation box at the bottom of the screen.
Select the blue rectangle and stars and choose Layer>Move to Selection Layer twice so that they hop to the blue layer.
Now when you want to print, turn off the red and blue layers using the layer box at the bottom of the screen and toggling the eye icon for each of those layers to off (eye shut). Next select the rectangle and note its size. Save a copy (File>Save a Copy) as flagwhite.svg or something similar. Import into SCAL and resize to original size.
Turn the red layer back on and turn the white layer off. The US flag has red stripes on the top and bottom so the overall size of the red layer will be exactly the same size as the white layer. Save another copy as flagred and follow same steps as for the white layer.
Now turn off the red and white layers and note the size of the blue rectangle since it will be different from the red and white layers but must remain in perfect proportion to them. Save a copy of the blue layer and again follow the same steps to import and cut.
Now you have all of the flag parts cut at the right size and the layered file is much easier to edit and share than 3 separate ones.
This is a lot easier to do than to explain but I hope that helps. All this working around is necessary since SCAL won't import at actual size. Hopefully that feature will be added in the next update.
Re: Can you layer an svg?
Oh my gosh! THAT IS AMAZING! Thank you so much for the info. I will have to give it a try. Your directions make perfect sense! Thanks for taking the time!!!