Saving Inkscape SVG as Adobe SVG: A Workaround for the Minimum Line Thickness Issue

When working with Inkscape and Adobe SVG files, you may encounter an issue with minimum line thickness. This problem arises when exporting your illustrations to PDF format using Microsoft Word. The minimum line thickness is set relative to the original image dimensions, which can cause lines in your exported PDF to have a thickness of less than 0.26mm.

To overcome this limitation, I found a workaround that involves scaling up and then back down the image size in Inkscape. First, I scaled my illustrations up by 1000% and then reduced them back down to their original size. This ensured that my intended minimum line thickness was above the 0.26mm threshold.

Another crucial step is to set the image height and width in Word relative to its original picture size. This setting can be found under 'Layout Options' in Word's 'Picture Tools' menu. By doing so, you ensure that the minimum thickness of lines in your exported PDF remains consistent with your desired thickness.

I also experimented with the problem and discovered that Word's PDF export imposes a minimum line thickness of 1px at 96dpi relative to the original image dimensions on imported SVG images. This limitation can be frustrating when working with detailed illustrations that require precise control over line thickness.

Fortunately, I found a workaround that is not too painful. By relaxing the checks in UploadBase::checkSvgScriptCallback() and allowing broken namespace names, I was able to successfully export my SVG files as Adobe SVG without encountering this issue.

In conclusion, saving Inkscape SVG files as Adobe SVG requires careful attention to image size and scaling. By scaling up and then back down your illustrations and setting the image height and width relative to its original picture size in Word, you can overcome the minimum line thickness limitation and achieve the desired level of detail in your exported PDF.

Save inkscape svg as adobe svg