How to Convert Multi-Layered PSD Files to Multi-Layered SVGs

Multipage PSD to multipage SVG

PSD is a popular format for storing multi-layered images created or edited using Photoshop software. The main advantage of using the PSD extension is that images remain easily editable, as their layered structure allows users to add or change various elements and features, including image effects, transparencies, color adjustments and many more.

To increase accessibility and ease of transfer, PSD files are usually converted to more widely used raster formats, such as JPEG or PNG. This type of conversion, though, implies flattening the image, which means no major editing is possible afterwards. And this might pose problems at times.

The hassle of realizing you still need to make corrections to a PSD image that has already been flattened can be easily avoided by converting to SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) in the first place. This extension allows you to preserve the image layers and defines the graphics in XML format. SVG also supports animation and lets you index, search or compress the image.

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Converting Multipage PCL Files

Multipage PCL

PCL (Printer Control Language) is currently considered a standard format for documents that are prepared for printing. Although it was initially designed only for Hewlett-Packard inkjet printers at its release in the 1980s, the PCL format was gradually adopted by other brands as well and nowadays it is compatible with most laser-jet printers.

PCL is a great alternative to PostScript, not only because it is more widely adopted in the industry, but also because it is simpler, faster to operate and cheaper. The PCL format is based on an open language and it is “printer-ready” — it can be operated even from DOS or UNIX. This gives more advantages to PCL than to other similar formats such as PDF or TIFF, making it a reliable and convenient extension for archiving printable documents.

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How to Convert Multipage DWG Files to Multipage PDFs

DWG to PDF Conversion

DWG is a proprietary format of AutoCAD — probably the most popular software for drafting 2D and 3D models in the construction industry. Widely used by engineers, architects, designers and other professionals in this branch, the DWG extension is also compatible with several other computer-aided design programs, including IntelliCAD or Caddie.

Most CAD programs offer users 2 types of drafting environments. One is “model space”, where a draft model is initially sketched according to a defined representation scale, and the other is “paper space”, to which users can switch to when preparing a model for printing. The latter allows you to create several layouts, offering different views of the model. Multipage DWG files can contain both “model” pages and “paper” pages.

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Converting Documents into TIFF FAX Format

TIFF file format

The FAX format is also referred to as CCITT Group 3 or Group 4 compression and many people opt for it either when they plan to prepare an image file for being sent by fax, or when they simply want to save space by converting to a bitonal format. CCITT is an abbreviation coming from the International Telegraph and Telephone Consultive Committee — the organization responsible for establishing several transmission protocols, including Group 3 and Group 4 which apply to black-and-white images. Among the image extensions which support the CCITT Group 3 and Group protocols, TIFF is one of the most popular.

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How to Convert DXF or DWG to Grayscale Vectors

dxf-dwg-grayscale

DXF and DWG are two popular file formats for professionals in the construction industry. Whether architects, designers or project managers, most of those involved in planning and erecting a building are familiar with these two extensions and with the software that creates them: Autocad — one of the most widely used computer-aided design program for drafting 2D and 3D building models.

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How to Convert WMF Files to JPEGs

”Someone recently sent me a WMF file attached to an e-mail. Is it safe to open it on my computer? What kind of file is this and can I use reaConverter to convert it to JPEG?”

A message including this question was recently received by our Technical Support staff and, since other people might experience similar problems, we thought a blog post on this topic would be helpful.

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How to Automate PCL to PDF Conversion Using Watch Folders

From folder PLCs to folder PDFs

The PCL (Printer Command Language) format was first used in the 1980s by Hewlett-Packard inkjet printers for creating digital copies of printed documents and developed in time as an industry standard. It now continues to be used by various models of printers, including laser-jets. Files with this extension are somewhat similar with PostScript (PS), though they offer less features and are more difficult to open.

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How to Convert JPG to Lossless TIFF

Professional photographers or image editors often have mixed feelings about the use of JPG. On the one hand, they like this format because it doesn’t take too much space, it is easily compatible with any image viewer you can think of, on any type of device (including smartphones, tablets etc.), and it is the default format used by all image sharing websites, from Google to Facebook.

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3D Rotate STL Files During Conversion

XYZ axes

STL is an extension attached to 3D images that use Stereolitography, a technology for creating prototypes or patterns through 3D printing. STL files contain a surface representation of such models and are created using computer-aided design software. There are only a few programs that can open STL files, so for improving accessibility the best option is to convert STLs to more popular extensions, including PDF, CAD document or other vector formats.

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How to Create SVG with JPEG compression and Alpha-Channel

SVG + Alpha Channel

While most people describe SVG as a vector format containing vectors, animations or interactive graphics and supported by the largest part of web browsers, few know that SVGs can also store raster images. And the best part is that these raster images can handle alpha-channel and JPEG compression, which makes SVG a great alternative for the larger-sized PNG.

SVG is also a better alternative than WebP, JPEG2000 or JPEG-XR when it comes to web programming, as it is supported by Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer 9+ and Firefox — thus covering all major browsers.

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