Symbol Editor: Re-Imported SVGs are always (to me) smaller than what they should be

Layout
1

I’ve made components
exported them in SVG Format (to re-edit them more properly in a vector app)
Then exported them form that app (Affinity Designer)
Reimported them into KiCAD:

I have always to magnify them by 1.333

I tried also to export them with different DPI 96-300-400 but it doesn’t change.

What am I missing?

I expect to re-import them and to have them 1:1

2

I could not reproduce this with inkscape as drawing tool:

  • drawing symbol in kicad
  • Export symbol to svg file
  • open in Inkscape, add some additional lines (to make sure a really new file is written to disk), save modified graphics as svg file
  • import new svg into kicad, use import dialog scale == 1.0
  • check: imported graphics == same size as previously exported graphics

Do you have already asked in the Affinity forum?

3

I check it now,i will be back when (and “if”) I will have a feedback

4

Not all SVGs are created or interpreted the same regarding absolute size. I always add an element with a known size, like a 10 millimeter line, so that I can figure out a scale factor for import.

5

That’s nice workaround. However form the moment in time I have not any feedback from Affinity Forum. Wait and see …

@mf_ibfeew Yes I tried also with Inkscape and with it, it works correctly.

Not clue what’s goin’ on.

6

EVEN WORSE: I exported just a line (nota document, but selecting a line) 10mm long. So: export as SVG.
imported that file (without any other manipulation by any other app): the imported line is bigger.

Above the original
Below the imported file after have exported it with KiCAD …

image
image1206×928 4.88 KB

7

You can cross check with a third program (such as Inkscape) whether the fault is on the KiCad side or with that affinity program.

Also, SVG is in a readable text format, if you open it in a text editor, you can look at what’s in the file (I guess especially the “viewbox” is relevant).

1 Like
8

just the above post, I show the screenshot of a fat line I exported with KiCAD and immediately re-imported in KiCAD …

9

I still can’t reproduce the problem:

  • Exporting a symbol (symbol editor–>File–>export symbol as svg)
  • immediately reimport this svg file into symbol editor: File–>Import–>graphics
    I get the exact same size and linewidth.

Which version do you use?
How is your scale-setting in the import dialog?

10

Version 8.0.1
Scale: 1.000000

11

What functions did you use to export and import that single line?

I guess it’s from the schematic editor because of the (nearly) white background color.

When I use Schematic Editor / File / Plot and plot to SVG, and then Schematic Editor / File / Import / Graphics then I see no size differences.

12

I was in Symbol Editor

I just draw a line.
Selected it
Exported it in SVG
Re-imported it

size is different :-/

13

I’m out.
I have no further interest for guessing what buttons you pressed for:

14

I wil find what’s occurred. It’s not dramatic since I’m continuously working around things :-/…

15

However, since the last versions of Affinity supports DXF I tried it as well but KiCAD

the kingdom of impediments :smiley:

image
image718×457 24.9 KB

16

I played with this a little bit this morning.
KiCad 8.0.1 Windows 11

  1. Open Symbol Editor
  2. Create a new symbol
  3. Draw a line 12.7mm long
  4. Change line width to 5mm
  5. Save symbol
  6. Export “Symbol as SVG…”
  7. Import “Graphics…” and select the exported SVG file
    SYMBOL_TEST_IMPORT_SETTINGS

Import Result:

SYMBOL_TEST_IMPORT_RESULTS
SYMBOL_TEST_IMPORT_RESULTS1623×1200 228 KB

Note that the scale of the line did not change, however the location of the imported line appears to be shifted from the original.

1 Like
17

Ok then I have some strange thing on my machine I have to figure out.