Frequently Asked Questions

SVG Files are not imported

Are you trying to import paths from an SVG file, but StitchBuddy isn't showing any or not all objects?

Your problem might be related to different ways graphic programs are handling objects which are either stroked and filled in their SVG exports:

• Some programs are using a single path with both attributes - stroked and filled. This path is just imported into StitchBuddy and stitches for its outline and filling can be generated.
• Other programs are creating two paths for each object, with identical anchor and control points (therefore overlaying each other): One is being stroked while the other is filled. You would end up with two identical paths in StitchBuddy - potentially even unaware of this - and stitches would be generated for both paths, resulting in duplicate, overlapping shapes. Therefore StitchBuddy is only importing stroked paths by default. As a consequence you might miss some objects or - if you have only filled paths - the import returns nothing and might be considered as failed. If your SVG import should include filled objects, you need to enable the corresponding option in the "Open" dialog, but be aware of potential duplicated paths if your graphic holds objects with both attributes, stroked and filled
• Furthermore some programs (e.g. Adobe Illustrator) are even exporting two filled SVG paths for each object: They are using a filled object outlining the contour, because it behaves much more consistent when resizing a graphic: While a stroked outline would keep its line width, a filled object outlining the contour is scaling up and down as required. To import any object you have to enable the corresponding option in the "Open" dialog, but afterwards it's up to you to decide: You might want to stroke and fill the original object, only, and therefore delete the "contour" path directly after the import. Or keep it and apply a filling to the contour, too. In any case it might be tricky to accomplish the same look as the graphic.

Please watch this video to see the mentioned option when importing SVG paths.

Please contact me in case your problem is not resolved by this article and provide some detailed information (e.g. potential error messages and the originating graphic app). I might ask you to send one of the SVG files, so I can further investigate the issue and provide a solution.