I'm using Inkscape 0.47 on Windows 7.
I've created some graphs in Mathematica and exported as pdf.
I'd like to import them into Inkscape to add some additional flourishes.
The pdf opens just fine in Adobe reader or Foxit Reader, but won't import into Inkscape.
Instead Inkscape crashes with this error.
"Inkscape has encountered an internal error and will close now."

Anybody with similar pdf import problems that could offer comments or suggestions?

How are you importing? File menu > Import? Or are you just opening the PDF in Inkscape? Whichever one you're doing, try the other way, and please let us know how it goes.

I suppose it would just be too easy if Mathematica could save as SVG, wouldn't it? Then you could skip the PDF altogether.

Anyway, I also wanted to mention that if you plan to save your resulting SVG as PDF, please note that it is not a smooth or trouble-free conversion. Thinks like blurs, filters and gradientss can't be converted by Inkscape.

It may be there's a better way to achieve what you want, maybe with a different program than Inkscape or Adobe. I'm not so knowledgeable about that, but I'm sure other members will chime in

Thanks for the reply brynn.

Inkscape crashes whether using "import" or just "open" to bring in the Mathematica pdf.

I've been experimenting, and it seems to be a fonts issue. The pdf is a simple 2D plot of a function. If I remove all text (axes labels and numbers along the axes) from the plot then it imports just fine. If there is any text at all then in crashes. I went on to try exporting other simple Mathematica graphics, such as 2D squares and circles, and those pdf's import just fine in Inkscape. The text is the problem apparently.

It turns out Mathematica does have .svg support in their most recent version 7 (maybe earlier versions too?). I had tried svg export from Mathematica in the past and I recall it being less than stellar. Text in the svg wasn't formatted as in the original Mathematica graphic. But since you brought it up I went back and tried svg export from Mathematica again. It worked perfectly for the graphics I am currently working on.

So
1.Mathematica graphics export as pdf, then
2.Import-to-Inkscape
is problematic because of the text issue.

But
1. Mathematica graphics export to svg, then
2. import to Inkscape, then
3. export from Inkscape as pdf
is working for the types of graphics I'm dealing with.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Hello,
I just installed Inkscape and trying familiarize with it. I would like to import a PDF file. The view in Foxit Reader is correct, the preview in the settings is correct, too, but the result in Inkscape is a trace of nothing. I would like to know where the fault lies. On my PC? Can you show the PDF correct and what can I do?

part of screenshot Foxit Reader: (10 KB)
http://www3.pic-upload.de/20.10.10/241cbu6x5lyd.jpg

screenshot of settings: (48 KB)
http://www3.pic-upload.de/20.10.10/bynio93e9a5d.jpg

part of screenshot of Inkscape: (4 KB)
http://www3.pic-upload.de/20.10.10/qd3ugpnz689w.jpg

original .PDF file: (11 KB)
http://www.file-upload.net/download-2905116/Notenbeispiel.pdf.html

The PDF file was converted from a PRN-file using GhostView.

Is it possible that parts of the PDF are blocked from being editted, like because of copyright, perhaps?
Or maybe the music notes come from a glyph-like font, and thus not handled properly during the import? If so, maybe try uncheck "Replace PDF font with closest- named installed fonts"?

....but the result in Inkscape is a trace of nothing

When you say "trace" you do not mean that you are using Inkscape's Trace Bitmap? I think "trace" is translation of common phrase in German? Because Trace Bitmap dialog would bring up a whole other set of issues, lol.

No worries, more knowledgeable folks will reply

Indeed, I used a common german phrase (Hauch von Nichts). Sorry for my bad english. I used "trace" in the meaning of: hint, touch, slight amount, less than expected. I dont know much about Trace Bitmaps, at all!

I tried already the function "Replace PDF font with closest named installed fonts", but without succes.

I don't think that copyright makes the problem, because the file is a little demo from a music notation program and the song is an old traditional (When Johnny Comes Marching Home). It's even possible to convert it to a standard MIDI file and listen.

Importing PDF containing texts seems to be a problem, too. Sometimes it works, sometimes I get a mess of exotic symbols.

Importing PDF containing texts seems to be a problem, too. Sometimes it works, sometimes I get a mess of exotic symbols.

Yes, I have the impression that PDF format seems very particular about fonts. Just a little instability in the font gives PDF upset stomach

But I do think, besides copyright, there is a way to make certain content in a PDF file uneditable.

I'm pretty sure PDF is an acceptable file format for uploading as attachment to forum messages here. You could try uploading the PDF here, so some of us could try importing it. Unless it's huge? There probably is a size limit for uploading.

Other than that, I'm not sure what else to suggest