2

I have a very detailed vector map I want to export from QGIS (2.18.3) into Illustrator. Unfortunately, it's having some problems:

  • Print Composer > Save as SVG errors out, yielding an invalid SVG (and mangles the print composer as well, so I can't use it again for anything & have to make a new one). The error is "std::bad_alloc"
  • Print Composer > Save as PDF succeeds, but when I open the PDF in Illustrator a significant number of polygons are mangled (it looks ok in Mac Preview)
  • Print Composer > Print > Save as PDF (i.e. the system PDF generator) produces a smaller file than the QGIS save as PDF, but with similar mangled polygons.

Do I have any other feasible options for getting my lovely map out of QGIS in a vector format? Is there a way I can fix up my file in QGIS so its export functions do not crash?

Improve this question
4
  • If your original project is really "heavy" try to split your work and make some lighter svg files. Try exporting layer by layer or find a filtering logic so that each exported svg files are workable ... I think u should then be able to stack the exported svg in Illustrator. It looks to me you're asking a bit too much to your computer ...
    – Snaileater
    Oct 31, 2017 at 9:22
  • Do the exported PDFs look OK in viewers other than Preview?
    – Simbamangu
    Oct 31, 2017 at 14:33
  • Could you share one of the PDFs (Dropbox link?) as an example?
    – Simbamangu
    Nov 1, 2017 at 5:46
  • I can't share them, unfortunately; I don't have permission to share the data. I eventually solved this by simplifying the geometries with ogr2ogr, but this isn't always going to be a feasible solution. (I am not sure if this solved it by reducing the number of points or by correcting inconsistencies in the geometries themselves.)
    – futuraprime
    Nov 6, 2017 at 11:47

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
-1

There are known limitations with save to SVG due to design issues with the Qt component that performs this function.

I don't know why saving to PDF causes problems - I save to PDF all the time and it comes out fine. I open the PDFs in Microsoft Word and copy the images into a word document and they look just as good as the original. There must be an issue with Illustrator that is causing this?

Improve this answer
0

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.