EPS (Level3) Export Gradient Problem

Bug #791013 reported by ToddB
34
This bug affects 7 people
Affects Status Importance Assigned to Milestone
Inkscape
New
Undecided
Unassigned

Bug Description

I do not know if this is an Adobe Illustrator issue or an Inkscape issue. When I create a vector object with a gradient in Inkscape (0.48.1) and then save as an EPS (Level 3) file and then open this EPS file in Adobe Illustrator (CS5) the vectors with gradients are changed into a clipping path and "image".

Attached is a set of three files:

File #1) The SVG file is the original file (saved as plain svg) which consists of a rectangle with a simple, fully opaque gradient. When opened in Illustrator the Layers Window indicates that the object is a rectangle and the Gradient Window shows that it has a gradient.

File #2) The "Inkscape" EPS file was saved in Inkscape from the original SVG file (i.e. "Save as EPS"). When opened in Illustrator the Layers Window indicates that the object is now made up of a clipping path and image and the Gradient Window shows no gradient.

File #3) The "Illustrator" EPS was created in Illustrator after opening the original SVG in Illustrator. The Layers Window in indicates that the EPS is still a rectangle and the Gradient Window shows that it has a gradient.

I don't know whether Inkscape is creating the wrong EPS output or Illustrator is misinterpreting/Re-interpreting the EPS file created by Inkscape.

Thanks for your help.

Also, I don't even bother with Level 2 EPS since Inkscape (0.48.1) still seems to save any gradients as embedded bit-maps.

Tags: exporting eps
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ToddB (sartre98) wrote :
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su_v (suv-lp) wrote :

Please always add information about OS/Platform and Inkscape version when filing a report:
(your SVG file says 'inkscape:version="0.48.1"' - i.e. you are not affected by bug #698340 which has been fixed in time for 0.48.1)

> Level 2 EPS

AFAIU PostScript Level 2 doesn't support gradients -> a fallback image is created to keep the same visual appearance.

> Level 3 EPS

Both EPS versions render the same when viewed e.g. with
- Evince 2.30.3
- Apple's Preview.app (tested on Mac OS X 10.5.8)
- gs 9.02
- LibreOffice 3.3.2

(the attached screenshot shows the files in evince and Preview). To me it seems a problem of Illustrator handling gradients in EPS, not of the cairo-based export to EPS/PS (but I'm not a PostScript expert).

tags: added: eps exporting
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su_v (suv-lp) wrote :
Revision history for this message
su_v (suv-lp) wrote :

<off-topic>
~suv wrote:
> Please always add information about (…)
Sorry, my mistake - I missed the details about the Inkscape version used in your description.
</off-topic>

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ToddB (sartre98) wrote :

Sorry, I forgot. I am using windows 7. Thanks

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jazzynico (jazzynico) wrote :

No problem on Windows XP, Evince 2.32.0 and gs 9.02. The Inkscape eps shows as expected.

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heyzuess (heyzeuss) wrote :

I have this problem too, as well as some others. http://www.inkscapeforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13628 If you need a diversion from working on more urgent bugs, I recommend this one. :)

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Mihai Sorin Dobrescu (msdobrescu-gmail) wrote :

I think this is cairographics related. Let's ask them too.

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Mihai Sorin Dobrescu (msdobrescu-gmail) wrote :

Hello,

The issue is not the resulting render only. It doesn't matter if it is displayed correctly in microstock users' case.
The microstock agencies request EPS without rasters, and this is a very limiting issue on both sides.
I can't create vectors with gradients and export them as EPS (this making a very plain drawing also), due this bug, in order to submit them to microstock.
Gradients in EPS would make Illustrator a good competitor for Illustrator and - who knows - would bring some funds too from the microstock contributors, why not?
Now, it's a good niche for Inkscape, possibly, because Adobe changed the licensing terms, by switching from lifetime licensing to subscription.
Please forgive me for the long post, I know this is a bug tracking place, but these are the arguments for this bug to be promoted to the planned list.

Revision history for this message
Mihai Sorin Dobrescu (msdobrescu-gmail) wrote :

Sorry, I've meant "Gradients in EPS would make Inkscape a good competitor for Illustrator"...

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