overlay of non existing objects

[Michael Hecht]

Hello,

I have some imported svg files and want to draw arrows inbetween the importet objects. After printing most parts of the arrows seem to be covered independent of the position (front/back) of all objects. See attechment of svg file, PDF-export (same as print) and screenshot of expected behaviour.

I use Inkscape 0.48.4 r9939

[su_v (suv-lp)]

> PDF-export (same as print)

The PDF file in the ZIP archive seems to have been created by printing to a custom driver:
> PDF Producer: GPL Ghostscript 9.05
> Content Creator: PDFCreator Version 1.5.0

Could you please test Inkscape's own PDF export? (Via 'File > Save a copy as')

Since the issue can be "simulated" (aka reproduced under different circumstances) locally on OS X 10.7.5 (with Inkscape 0.48.2 which includes cairo 1.10.2) when saving a copy as PS/EPS file, but not when using the same Inkscape version (or newer ones) with cairo >= 1.12, I assume that the PDF printer driver used by the reporter (presumably on Windows, though the OS/platform was not revealed) requests a PostScript file from Inkscape for further processing. And since Inkscape on Windows currently still has cairo 1.11.2, I further conclude that the underlying issue is the same as

- Bug #813886 “Save as EPS or PS incomplete with cairo >= 1.10”
  <https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/813886>

[su_v (suv-lp)]

Workarounds with Inkscape builds which use affected cairo versions (1.10 <= cairo version < 1.12):

A - change the stack order (not applicable to all use cases):
1) add a new layer (Shift+Ctrl+N), below current 'Ebene 1'
2) select the group with the two arrows and move it to the layer below (Shift+Page Down)
3) save a copy as PS/EPS file

B - remove (unnecessary) clips:
1) 'Edit > Find': search for 'Attribute' containing "clip"
2) on this selection, apply menu 'Object > Clip > Release'
3) clean-up the released clip paths:
for each group, ctrl-click on the rectangle(s) (to select within the group), and delete it. Repeat.
4) save a copy as PS/EPS file

--> no more incorrect clipping (which originally cut off parts of the arrows drawn as overlay) when exporting to PostScript.