Incomplete import of emf file

[aditsu]

I'm trying to import an emf file that was created with another program (called 2D Design). It is a drawing of a car inside a circle. When I import it in Inkscape, I can see the circle but the car is missing.
The file looks fine in other programs (such as Windows Paint). Other emf files are also working better in Inkscape.

[aditsu (aditsu)]

Note: I tried to export the same drawing into a few other vector formats, such as dxf, plt and wmf, and then import it into Inkscape. They all completely failed (I didn't even get a circle).

[jazzynico (jazzynico)]

Thanks for taking the time to file a report!

Bug reproduced on Windows XP, Inkscape trunk rev. 15028.
Note that the car is imported, bug with no fill and no stroke. As a workaround, you can edit it in the XML editor (Shift+Ctrl+X) directly.

[aditsu (aditsu)]

Ok, I can find various pieces of it with the XML editor, but it doesn't seem to be selectable in any other way.

[aditsu (aditsu)]

I found some more examples in the meantime, with similar problems. Here's a more complex one. After importing in Inkscape, I can restore two missing paths with the XML editor: an ellipse, and a whole bunch of other things combined into one path. After setting a fill color (with the normal "fill and stroke" tool), the paths become selectable and editable. Then I can do "break apart" on the second path, followed by "difference" between different parts, to obtain the desired result.

At the end, one "thick line" is still missing: there should be 5 lines on the right side, but I only get 4. The missing one should be shorter and positioned left of the circle/ellipse.

Of course, Inkscape should handle all these things automatically, not miss any piece, and set the correct color.

[aditsu (aditsu)]

And finally, another example that gets butchered really badly (I can recover some paths but they look nothing like what they should be).

[oliverjack0123 (oliverjack0123)]

This issue could be related to how Inkscape interprets certain elements in EMF files compared to other programs. To resolve the problem, start by checking for hidden layers or objects. Sometimes, parts of an EMF file might be imported into hidden layers or have properties that make them invisible. Look at the layer panel in Inkscape to see if the car is hidden or if its opacity is set to zero.

Next, consider ungrouping the objects. EMF files may import as grouped objects, which can cause parts of the drawing to be hidden. Select the entire imported object and ungroup it (using Ctrl+Shift+G) to see if the car appears.

If the EMF file isn't fully compatible with Inkscape, try converting it to a different format like SVG or EPS using another software tool. Online converters or programs like Adobe Illustrator can assist with this.

Check Inkscape's import settings to ensure you're using the correct options. Sometimes adjusting these preferences can improve how Inkscape interprets the file.

Lastly, explore using a different import method. If Inkscape supports it, an extension or plugin might handle EMF files better. If none of these steps resolve the issue, it may be that Inkscape has limitations with specific elements of the EMF format used by the 2D Design program, and using alternative software for conversion or editing might be the best solution. https://msbestkeys.com/