Export from Inkscape to Tikz

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Written by: Wen-Fong Ke
Category: Articles
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TikZ, like pstricks, can make good drawing for LaTeX.  One difference is that using TikZ with pdflatex is good to get PDF output directly while using pstrick, a route of DVI -> Postscript -> PDF is needed.  Inkscape is an Open Source vector graphics editor, with capabilities similar to Illustrator, CorelDraw, or Xara X, using the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format.  It is possible to export from Inkscape drawings to either TikZ or pstricks codes ready to be included in LaTeX file.

  1. Download and install Inkscape v0.92.5. (Note. The extension does not work with Inkscape v1.x yet.)

  2. Add Inkscape to TikZ exporter extension.

    • Got to this page. 
    • Click on ⤓ Code button on the top right corner to download the project files. Extract the files
      tikz_export.py, tikz_export_effect.inx, and tikz_export_output.inx from svg2tikz-master/svg2tikz/extensions and put them in the share/extensions directory inside the Inkscape installation directory.
       
  3. Draw desired picture in Inkscape.

  4. Export from the menu: Extension → Export → Export to TikZ path.  An option window shows up.  Choose your option and export from there (either into a file by specification, or in the clipboard).