saving as plt files.

[SilverPennies]

I have been using inkscape for the past 3 years to create plt files for my engraving machine and it has been brilliant. I had windows 10 with inkscape version 0.91 and python 2.7.12

Then just before Christmas the windows updater trashed my PC. It turns out my touchscreen is not compatible with the latest creator version, and long story short, now I have windows 7 as a clean install.
I installed the same inkscape and python programs as I had before, but when trying to save as .plt i get the message:

Tracebackk (most recent call last):
File "C/Program Files/Inkscape/lib/python2.7/site.py" line64, in  <module>
import traceback
Import error: Bad magic number in C:\Program Files\Inkscape\python\Lib/
traceback.pyc

I have now installed inkscape version 92.2.64 and Python version 2.7.14
I have installed the standalone version of uniconverter and run the patch for inkscape, which said was successful.
when that didnt work, I copied the 2 files from uniconverter into pretty much every possible inkscape folder I could find.
I still get the same message each time I try to save as plt.

Pretty please, if someone can help me I would be most grateful.
Thank you,
Jackie.

[brynn]

Welcome Jackie!

First, there's no need to install Python separately.  Inkscape installs everything it needs for python.  There might be some separate extensions which need certain extra python modules.  But for what comes built into Inkscape, Inkscape installs all the python it needs.  The last time I heard of someone installing python separately, it caused problems for Inkscape.

I found this message which reports the same error message as you.  https://forum.inkscapecommunity.com/index.php?topic=728.0  They needed HPGL, but maybe their solution will work for you?

Maybe reinstalling Inkscape will reinstall the correct python, and will override the python which you installed separately?

(This is a little bit off topic.  But lately it seems like I've seen messages from a few different people who thought they needed to install Python separately.  I wonder of there is a website out there somewhere which is giving this false impression about installing python??)

[SilverPennies]

Thank you brynn, I have no idea where I go the notion that I had to install python seperately. A few years back this is what someone told me, I did that and everything worked.
I looked at the link you gave me, but I do not seem to have a seperate python folder anywhere, in the inkscape folder I only have the folders doc, etc, lib and share.
Anyway, I uninstalled inkscape and python and univconverter.
reinstalled inkscape uniconverter. Then when I tried to save a plt file I go the error message that I have to install uniconverter into inkscapes/lib/python folder.
I did that and got the same message.
I uninstalled uniconverter and installed it into inkscape/lib/python/2to3 and got the same message again.
I have the following folders in inkscape/lib/python
bsddb
compiler
config
ctypes
curses
distutils
email
encodings
ensurepip
hotshot
idlelib
importlib
json
lib2to3
lib-dynload
lib-tk
logging
msilib
multiprocessing
plat-win32
pydoc_data
site-packages
sqlite3
Tools
unittest
wsgiref
xml

Should I uninstall uniconverter and reinstall it into one of these folders ?
Sorry to be a pain, but  love inkscape, it has been perfect for me over the last 3 years.

[brynn]

I've never seen that error message before, and I'm just curious.  If you can trigger it again, would you post the exact error message?

There are some specific instructions for installing and configuring Uniconverter:  https://inkscape.org/en/learn/faq/#how-install-uniconvertor-windows  So first I would suggest making sure that you installed the correct package.  If not, uninstall whatever you installed, and reinstall the correct package in the way which is explained in that FAQ item.

If it says to install it in inkscape/lib/python, then put it there.  It doesn't need a special folder, unless it tells you to make a special folder.  For Inkscape version 0.92.2, the folder is called Python2.7.  So just put it in there, by itself, and not in any particular folder.

[SilverPennies]

Thank you brynn, thank you for taking the time to reply to me and thank you for being right.
I was following some instructions that I found somewhere which said that I had to install uniconverter into inkscapes python folder.
I was not aware of the patch file, so I uninstalled it, reinstalled into its default folder and run the patch,
which appears to have worked. I created a file this morning which I successfully saved as a plt file.
This is a massive relief.
Kindest regards.
Jackie.

[brynn]

Happy to hear the good news!

[AC50]

"If it says to install it in inkscape/lib/python, then put it there.  It doesn't need a special folder, unless it tells you to make a special folder.  For Inkscape version 0.92.2, the folder is called Python2.7.  So just put it in there, by itself, and not in any particular folder."

I've been having the same issue. It does ask for a folder. I direct it to the inkscape folder and I get a no permissions issue. Also I checked the "extensions" folder to manually place the files and they are already there. Any insight?

[brynn]

Welcome AC50!

Let's make sure we're all on the same page about versions, because folders related to python have changed a couple of times recently.  The sentences you quoted are about version 0.92.2.  You're signature indicates you're using 0.92.3, although I realize that could be a typo.

You can check your version using Help menu > About Inkscape.