Inkscape

How to add ps2pdf from Ghostscript to Inkscape?

Asked by David Johnson

I saved some of my work as eps files. Now inkscape will not re-open those files.

I gather from previous answers that to open eps files with inkscape, ps2pdf from Ghostscript must be added to inkscape.

The following questions are going to sound totally clueless, but I really would like to get my work back.

After I download Ghostscript, where is the ps2pdf file?

After I find it, do I compile it?

How do I add it (compliled or not) to inkscape?

Thank you for any help you can give.

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sas (sas-sas) said : 		#1

You haven't said what operating system you're using. If it's Windows of some sort, you should get a binary distribution of Ghostscript, then you don't need to compile anything (just install it).

After installing Ghostscript you may need to add the paths for Ghostscript's bin and lib directories to the system path. Details of how to do that will depend on your operating system.

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David Johnson (db-johnson) said : 		#2

I'm apologize, you're right, I neglected that.

I am running MAC OSX 10.4.11 (Tiger) on a G4 Power PC.

Is there a binary distribution of Ghostscript for Mac OS?

Do I need to find the system path for my OS? Through the Terminal program, I guess? Or can Ghostscript just be dropped into my Applications folder?

Thank you for helping me with this.

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Best su_v (suv-lp) said : 		#3

> I saved some of my work as eps files. Now inkscape will not re-open those files.
It is better to save a document in the native format of the application used to create it - in this case 'Inkscape SVG' - and later, when needed, to save a copy as EPS.

> Is there a binary distribution of Ghostscript for Mac OS?
No, as far as I know there is no binary distribution of GhostScript for Mac OS X. You can use MacPorts [1] to install GhostScript.

> Or can Ghostscript just be dropped into my Applications folder?
No. You have to install GhostScript with MacPorts using Terminal.app. Inkscape will then find ps2pdf without further configuration if MacPorts is installed with the default Prefix.

[1] <http://www.macports.org/>

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David Johnson (db-johnson) said : 		#4

My problem is not actually solved. But I have to give up on Inkscape. Other applications cannot open the EPS files created by Inkscape (Illustrator, Visio, TypeTool). So, even if I were to get MacPorts running in order to get Ghostscript running in order to get Inkscape running, I still would not be able to create usable EPS files.

Inkscape is great in its own world. It is easy to use and reasonably fast. But it is my perception that it doesn't integrate with the rest of the world very well.

Thanks anyway for your help. I appreciate it, even though it didn't work out in this case.