How can I cut or copy a vector element from within an imported PDF file up one layer, maintaining exactly the same placement as it previously had on the previous layer?

I have imported a PDF file that was generated by ArcGIS 1.02, a GIS mapping program. It can export vectors to PDF. When I open it in Inkscape, I have to ungroup it first to be able to access individual parts, which correspond to individual layers within the mapping software. I find I can copy or cut a group of polygons, and paste them of course, but they always get pasted somewhere else. I am trying to paste exactly into place to maintain perfect alignment of features. If I can figure this out, I will essentially re-create the same layers I used in the GIS application, but have hopefully finer control over all the elements. I'm trying to see if I can do an Illustrator Mapper job using Inkscape instead of Illustrator. Illustrator has this mapping/cartography module that costs a lot of money and which works very well with ArGIS maps. Hoping to find a cheaper way to create high-end maps.

It is possible copy & paste are not the right tools. Isn't there something about cloning that might retain that alignment? Perhaps clone it multiply, once for each planned-for new layer, and then successfully delete out everything but that layer's elements? But that seems cumbersome.

Ideas? Am I missing something so obvious I'll smack my head when I am told? Have I explained what I need to accomplish well enough?

Thanks,
Russell

Hello there!

Open the layers panel (Shift+Ctrl+L),
create new layers you would separate the objects to,
Select each part you like and press Shift+PgUp, Shift+PgDown to move it from one layer to another.

Actually layering is not an svg specification supported feature, nor can be saved to pdf,
so the layering will only appear in inkscape.

Hello,

thegitksan wrote:How can I cut or copy a vector element from within an imported PDF file up one layer, maintaining exactly the same placement as it previously had on the previous layer?
I have imported a PDF file that was generated by ArcGIS 1.02, a GIS mapping program. It can export vectors to PDF. When I open it in Inkscape, I have to ungroup it first to be able to access individual parts, which correspond to individual layers within the mapping software.

I guess you have a typo in the ArcGIS version. Is ArcGis 10.2?
Because, in the 10.1 version, you can export to SVG format, which has better support on Inkscape. As said by Lazur, the Inkscape's SVG , vs the SVG-for-web have some differences, but I think that it's more direct exporting to SVG.

http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#//00sm00000004000000

There are more things that could help to improve your work in SVG, but I think you should say how much you know about the program itself, the SVG format, and the use o programming (python for extensions in Inkscape)

- On the other hand, there is an option to paste in place the objects, that have been copied or cuted. Just press: Ctrl+Alt+V, but you have to be sure that you are in the correct layer
- Also there is an extension to convert grouped svg objects to layers:
http://pernsteiner.org/inkscape/group_to_layer/
I also knew other, but right now I can't find it. But We don't know how ArcGis is exporting its layers. I hope that it is exporting as groups, or maybe there is putting an special attribute?? If you could provide an example of an exported ArcGis-to-SVG file it will be helpfull.

Greetings

Hi thegitksan

This has been a topic earlier on the forum, have a look at this thread; viewtopic.php?f=29&t=13885

Writing an extension to do this "auto-magically" would be relatively easy. Python is good for string replacements!

Good Luck.
RGDS
Ragnar