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I'm having a very hard time exporting line maps that end up looking and working correctly when importing into Inkscape/Affinity Designer. What I am trying to do in QGIS before exporting is basically this:

Set line stroke width > Combine lines into one > convert line(s) to path (Basically a fill without strokes) > Export

I understand that I am probably using the wrong vernacular for QGIS, but this is the best way that I know how to describe the process.

Here is the result that I get now when importing either the PDF or SVG into Inkscape: enter image description here

Even after rounding my "Join and Caps", it still looks weird and bubbly.

I also attempted to export as a DXF to import into Affinity Designer and this is the result: enter image description here

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  • What do those lines look like in QGIS's layout, and in the exported pdf, prior to import to Inkscape. Have you tried smoothing your lines first?
    – John
    Feb 3 at 23:08
  • When I add the map in "New Print Layout", the map looks ok, just pixelated when you zoom in. Smoothing seems to just add more noise since a bunch of extra nodes get added when using that algorithm.
    – Nick
    Feb 4 at 2:08
  • I have assumed you wanted to export vectors in your pdf for use in Inkscape. If your layout is truly showing pixelated shapes you have somehow rasterized your lines in QGIS, let alone in the export process. I'm not sure what you did when you say you converted lines to path in QGIS. What if you just make your maps and symbolize your lines the way you want, then export to pdf with the always export as vectors option selected?
    – John
    Feb 4 at 11:59
  • I haven't yet converted my lines to paths, that's my goal. I'm not sure if I can even do that in QGIS. Is it possible to symbolize my lines as polygons? Basically, I want the line itself to become a polygon without changing its entire shape. Also, I'm honestly not sure how I would've rasterized my lines.
    – Nick
    Feb 4 at 15:54
  • If you want polygons just buffer your lines a small amount using the buffer tool. See vector geometry or GDAL vector geoprocessing If you want a single polygon use the dissolve option.
    – John
    Feb 4 at 16:23

1 Answer 1

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With "paths" you probably mean vector lines. The problem in your case is where two line features touch each other. To avoid the problem, simply merge all lines of a vector layer so that you have only one feature left. Use Merge Selected Features icon in the toolbar or access it via Menu Processing > Toolbox > Merge Selected Features.

enter image description here

Be aware: If the lines cannot be connected to one single part feature, but consist of multiple parts (e.g. if you have several disconnected lines or forking lines like in the letter Y), first create a new layer of geometry type MultiLine. Copy/past all lines to this layer, select all features and

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  • This did work with merging my lines in QGIS, however, when exporting as SVG, it imports into Inkscape as all separate lines grouped together instead of all "welded" together.
    – Nick
    Feb 4 at 16:03

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