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Editable Diagram Pict Exports


Mick Matousek

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Have formats changed ? Wasn't it possible to export diagrams as pict files which were then editable in drawing programs that supported pict files in earlier versions of Accordance?

 

As Accordance now works, the files are not editable vector files. They seem like bitmap pictures in pict file.

 

The power in diagrams for me is their use in other documents while still editable. Copy As Picture is not as useful. Copy As Picture produces a white block background diagram, which pasted onto a colored slide in Keynote looks like clip art.

 

I'd like to develop slides with builds revealing grouped parts of the diagramming. At this point I have to redraw the diagram again in my target media.

 

My goal for Accordance would be a drag and drop vector object/pdf object which could be ungrouped at that location for further editing. OBTW, a unicode aware drag n drop object. ;)

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You are correct that prior to the introduction of Quartz font smoothing in Accordance 6.6, images such as the diagram, construct, and the maps were exported as vector PICT files which could then be edited in drawing programs. With Quartz smoothing, export had to be changed to bitmaps as this is the way that Apple now smooths text and drawings on screen. There was no way to continue to export as vector PICT files.

 

The only solution I can see for those who must edit these files outside Accordance, is to keep a copy of an earlier version of Accordance such as 6.5 and do the export from that. This will not work with the new high-resolution atlas, nor with some newer modules.

 

The easiest way to trick an installer into giving you an earlier version of the program, is to install it onto a Flash drive or a DMG that does not currently contain Accordance. Then you can copy it to your Accordance folder and run it beside your newer version.

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  • 2 months later...

But is there going to be a solution so that fonts can be edited, or even exported as PDF? Bitmaps are completely unacceptable (I know this is probably not your fault) especially when these diagrams need to be included in research papers.

 

Maybe you need to create a wordprocessor with this program to make it easier. :P

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But is there going to be a solution so that fonts can be edited, or even exported as PDF? Bitmaps are completely unacceptable (I know this is probably not your fault) especially when these diagrams need to be included in research papers.

 

You can print to PDF file, so that probably works as an export.

You can edit PDF files (Canvas X, etc.) and import directly into many programs, or use Preview to copy parts.

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  • 2 years later...
You are correct that prior to the introduction of Quartz font smoothing in Accordance 6.6, images such as the diagram, construct, and the maps were exported as vector PICT files which could then be edited in drawing programs. With Quartz smoothing, export had to be changed to bitmaps as this is the way that Apple now smooths text and drawings on screen. There was no way to continue to export as vector PICT files.

 

This is very disheartening news to me. Since literally _all_ my teaching is in Polish, English-language labels and names are useless to me. I thought that my editing problems were that I didn't have the right program (I've always done my editing in Claris Works in the past), but now, after killing myself, trying to edit my labels, I discover that I'm sunk--and I just spent $150 on the graphics DVD just so I could use these resources! I wish I had known beforehand... Who would have thought....

 

I wish you could bring it back as an option. It's not like we would need anti-aliasing if we wanted to edit the labels anyway. If you could offer this as an option, it would at least allow me to use these modules for their intended functions.

 

-Jon

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Jon:

 

You replied to a post that is over three years old. In the meantime we have implemented an editable PICT file for the Diagram window which was the one where we had the most complaints. We are now planning to offer export as a grouped PDF file which can be edited. We just have not yet had time to implement this.

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Jon:

 

You replied to a post that is over three years old. In the meantime we have implemented an editable PICT file for the Diagram window which was the one where we had the most complaints. We are now planning to offer export as a grouped PDF file which can be edited. We just have not yet had time to implement this.

 

I knew it was old, but that doesn't change the fact that my problem is now. :-) I wanted to add my voice to the din. :-D

 

I must confess that I'm glad to hear there are plans for fixing this. :-) Thanks.

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