SVG: simplify path to remove curves?

Dylan picture Dylan · Jun 17, 2011 · Viewed 11.3k times · Source

I have a svg file which contains complex paths with bezier curves in it. I need to convert this path-data to use it for html map-area's, so I in fact I need just the coordinates (but for large curves, it would be very nice to have some coordinates 'between' the two end-points.

I tried Inkscape's simplify path function, but those paths still contain curves...

Is there any tool or formula to convert these curves into simple coordinates?

Maybe another Inkscape output-format that doesn't use curves in its coordinates?

Answer

Peter Collingridge picture Peter Collingridge · Jun 17, 2011

In Inkscape:

  1. Select the Edit Path By Nodes tool (F2)
  2. Click on your path to select it
  3. Ctrl + A to select all the nodes in that path
  4. Click the Insert new nodes into selected segments. Repeat this to represent the shape of the curve/s in as much detail as you need.
  5. Then click Make Selected Segments Lines

These options are on the toolbar at the top - the plus icon and the straight diagonal line between two square nodes.

screenshot of make selected segments lines