33

Is it possible to convert/export 2D curves to an svg?

I know you could render it to a raster image and then convert it with inkscape/potrace, but it would be nice if you could keep the splines the way they are in blender.

David
  • 49,291
  • 38
  • 159
  • 317
gandalf3
  • 157,169
  • 58
  • 601
  • 1,133

1 Answers1

34

You can try Liero's addon Viewport to SVG:

  • Download, install and enable add-on.
  • Add-on appears in properties panel of 3D View window (N).
  • Setup output directory
  • Check Bezier Overlay option
  • Select curve objects you want to export and hit "Export SVG"

The final shape is determined by point of view (perspective/orthogonal). Addon exports all selected curve objects (3D curves as well).

enter image description here

Note: Bezier curve is exported with strange looking poly line version. In Inkscape - click on this path and delete. In Illustrator – first Ungroup once (Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + G), than select and delete.

There is another add-on called Export SVG Format, which exports only active object. Shape of curve is determined by "Local Z" axis in Orthogonal view. Addon is a bit messed up with naming – downloaded script is called "exporter.py", in blender's user preferences appears as "Export SVG Format" and in blender's File menu under Export you will find it as "Inkscape SVG".

enter image description here

Both addons exports only paths (no fills).

user272901
  • 47
  • 7
Leon Cheung
  • 27,718
  • 11
  • 89
  • 161
  • 1
    Where is export menu for 'Viewport to SVG'? – Wilf Nov 02 '14 at 00:56
  • @Wilf I think there is no separate menu except what you can see from my screenshot above. – Leon Cheung Nov 02 '14 at 13:14
  • @Wilf could you elaborate? I'm not sure where I should be looking for the Properties panel. It's likely there's an issue with my install but for all I know I just don't know what icon to click on and menu to expand. – jozxyqk Jan 20 '15 at 07:11
  • @jozxyqk - what OS and version of blender are you using? – Wilf Jan 20 '15 at 15:31
  • @Wilf FC21, v2.72, addons show "Import-Export: Viewport to SVG" checked. I found the properties panel. I found which one the properties panel is (the whole bottom right section, under the outliner). – jozxyqk Jan 21 '15 at 04:41
  • 2
    @jozxyqk (and others like me who forgot...) - For 'Viewport to SVG' in Blender 2.68, you can find the export menu under 'View3d > Properties'. Basically click the 'View' Menu at the bottom, and click properties (or press 'n'). Note the extension needs to be placed in the CONFIG_DIR/2.**/scripts/addons, and if you enable it in the Addons settings you probably will want to press 'Save user settings' (bottom left) afterwards. Here is a screenshot if it helps. – Wilf Mar 01 '15 at 22:24
  • As example "Bezier Overlay" feature can perfectly export very complex and deformed curves :) http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?343747-Export-Bezier-Curve-to-SVG-as-Bezier&p=2693358&viewfull=1#post2693358 – vklidu Apr 25 '15 at 16:12
  • 1
    @vklidu your edit was substantial enough to warrant your own answer, instead of editing somebody else's post. – David Apr 25 '15 at 20:04
  • Download link is broken. Please fix or remove. – Seldom 'Where's Monica' Needy May 23 '19 at 04:20
  • @SeldomNeedy I have updated the link. – ApproachingDarknessFish Mar 11 '20 at 05:37