Odd Printing Issue ( Using Inkscape )

[TerryD]

This is my first post for help in pattern making section but before I do I would like to thank Travis for all his work and effort in making the tutorial videos.  Without them I would never have tried to use Inkscape.  So to Travis and others who help along the way I Thank You.  Very much appreciated.

 

I am trying to create a pattern using 3 different styles.  Word art, A small design I did using Gimp

( something like clip art ) and a small pattern design created in Inkscape.  The problem I have is with the Inkscape design.  My 12 year old son is a hockey goalie so I created crossed over goalie sticks to go in each lower corner of the pattern.  I did this by using 4 rectangles and adjusting them to the shape of a goalie stick.  I went path - union and welded them together.  I created a small rectangle over the flat part of the blade to simulate hockey tape.  Went path  -  difference. I duplicated this image and went object --  flip horizontal.  I joined these 2 pieces together with object -- union.  I duplicated this image so now I have 2 sets of goalie sticks.  1 for each lower corner.  Everything looked great.  When I printed the completed pattern there are black rectangles where the sticks should be.  I changed the color of the sticks from black to grey.  The sticks are now visible but still surrounded by the black rectangle.  I did the same process to a new page with nothing else on it with the same result.  What did I do wrong?  Sorry for the long post but I wasn't sure if you needed all the process to help me.

 

Thanks

Terry             

[jerry1939]

I'm not sure if my problem was the same as yours.  Here's what solved it for me;  Undo your last movement.  i.e. Edit - Undo Union.  Always remember the phrase, "Jesus saves."  When you have on your screen what you want, hit SAVE.  If you ever get in a bind, close your work and reopen it.  It will take you back to your last save.

 

Hope this works for you friend.

 

jerry

[TerryD]

That's a good idea Jerry.  I'll give it a try.  And if for some reason I still have issues I can start over again only this time print as I go to see exactly where the black rectangles start to come into play.  It may be hard on the paper and ink but it would be nice to know the origin of the problem.

 

Thanks again

Terry

[TerryD]

I've identified where my print troubles start but I have no idea how to correct it.  When I create a small rectangle, let's say 1/4" x 3" and I click on it twice it allows me to use the arrow keys to turn it to a 45 degree angle.  When I do this there are horizontal and vertical dotted lines that show the outside edges and the highest and lowest of my rectangle.  This is normal but in my case It is the area inside these lines that are printing black.  Any items that I have created within that area will print fine ( as long as it is not black ).  Is there a setting somewhere that I can change this.  This only happens with my laptop.  My regular tower computer works fine but it is very old and slow.  I prefer to use the laptop when working with Inkscape.  Anyone have any ideas ??

 

Thanks

Terry     

[Travis]

Could you post your SVG file?  We can take a look.

 

But here's a shot in the dark.  Inkscape doesn't talk to printers very well for some reason.  Try this.  Download and install PrimoPDF (http://www.primopdf.com/).  This software acts like a printer.  But instead of printing, it creates a PDF.  So, after you install it, open your project.  Go to File>Print, then choose PrimoPDF as your printer.  It'll take amoment for it to pop up, but save the PDF to your desktop.  Then open the PDF and see if it has the same issues.  If not, try printing the PDF and see if that works.

[Barry5180]

Could you post your SVG file?  We can take a look.

 

But here's a shot in the dark.  Inkscape doesn't talk to printers very well for some reason.  Try this.  Download and install PrimoPDF (http://www.primopdf.com/).  This software acts like a printer.  But instead of printing, it creates a PDF.  So, after you install it, open your project.  Go to File>Print, then choose PrimoPDF as your printer.  It'll take amoment for it to pop up, but save the PDF to your desktop.  Then open the PDF and see if it has the same issues.  If not, try printing the PDF and see if that works.

I have the same problem with Inkscape not wanting to print to my printer. I'll have to check out that software Travis. It sounds easier than my method which is to load the .SVG file into PaintShop Pro X7 and then resave it as a .JPG at which point I can print it easily.

 

Barry

[TerryD]

Hi Travis

 

I converted to a PDF as you suggested with the same result.  I will attach the original first which may show a perfectly good pattern where the shading only comes into play when I print.  The second is the PDF which should give you an idea as to what is happening to the print.  Thanks for the help by the way.  

 

Terry  

goalie sticks.svg

Print goalie stick print check 1.pdf

[Travis]

Hmmm...The PDF shows what you're experiencing.  But when I opened your SVG file, everything looked and printed OK.  So I'm not quite sure what the problem would be.  I copied and pasted your designs into a new document.  Maybe that will help?  If you're still having trouble, I'd suggest uninstall the software, rebooting, then reinstalling the software and see if that helps.

 

 

goalie sticks v2.svg

[TerryD]

Travis

 

I think it must be my laptop.  I have been having some issues with Inkscape from the very beginning.  My middle menu bar, for instance (Create New Document, Open Existing Document, etc.....) is on the side of my screen from top right to bottom right.  There are two small arrows at the bottom of the column that I have to click to get access to Ungroup, Fill and Stroke , Text and Font  etc ...   I tried clicking and holding the bar to try to move it but it doesn't want to work.  I uninstalled the program once and reinstalled it but the same thing happened.  Oh well.  I'll try again later.  I can always send to my tower and print from there so it's no big deal for me . As long as your print came out fine is all that matters for when I share the finished pattern.   Thanks again for your help and great job with the tutorials.  Very much appreciated.

 

Terry 

[heppnerguy]

let me chime in here....I took your first Goalie stix and then right clicked it with my mouse and selected 'save as' and saved it to my picture album. then I opened Inkscape and 'imported' this item from my pictures. after it loaded I selected it with the select tool and while it was selected, I went to the color selection at the bottom/ right side of the page and clicked on the white selection and all the dark parts changed to white and printed that way wehn i selcted the print option in Inkscape

 

Dick

heppnerguy

[TerryD]

Hi Dick

 

Thanks for trying to help out.  I followed your instructions but it didn't change anything on my end.  I guess it must be the way Inkscape downloaded to my laptop.  I haven't had a chance to uninstall and download again but I'm hoping that will help.  Thanks again.

 

Terry