LO Draw and ODG format

I am updating the user guide for Draw to version 6.4 and have come a problem.

LO Writer is not accepting the ODG format as a file. I have tried dropping into a document as well as doing a copy and paste, but nothing happens. I also tried importing as an image and I get the message that the ODG drawing is not recognised as an image.

My only solution at the moment is to export from Draw in PNG format after saving in ODG format.

Exporting directly from Draw without saving in ODG format produces an empty file.

Anybody know a solution.

I am using LO version 6.4.0.3

Peter Schofield
psauthor@gmail.com

Hello Peter

On a side note, embedding OLE object such as an ODG file is not a good
practice for our book edition. The issue raises when we export the file
to another alien format such as EPUB, wiki or XHTML. In that cases the
export filter often cannot export the OLE object but can export a static
image such as PNG. We recommend to create a companion ODG file with the
drawings (source) and export each drawing as image to be embedded in the
chapter. (Select all - Ctrl+A , group, export as, select file format,
mark "selection" in filepicker dialog, press Export).

Olivier

Hi Peter,

I am updating the user guide for Draw to version 6.4 and have come a problem.

LO Writer is not accepting the ODG format as a file. I have tried dropping into a document as well as doing a copy and paste, but nothing happens. I also tried importing as an image and I get the message that the ODG drawing is not recognised as an image.

My only solution at the moment is to export from Draw in PNG format after saving in ODG format.

Exporting directly from Draw without saving in ODG format produces an empty file.

Anybody know a solution.

I am using LO version 6.4.0.3

The goal is not clear to me.
If you intend to import a complete ODG file (why?), then it would be only possible as OLE.
If you want to insert single drawings, often simple copy&paste will work. Another method would be to drag the drawing into a (new) Gallery theme in Draw and insert it from the Gallery in Writer.

If your drawing in Draw contains several shapes, you might get better results by grouping them.
In case you get distance problems at the edges, include a white rectangle behind the drawing.

Why do you think, using PNG in the guide is not so good?

BTW, I'm currently reviewing the German guide for Draw.

Kind regards
Regina

Hello Regina and Olivier

After reading the information about creating user guides, I decided to use Draw for any additional text or graphics that have to be placed on a screenshot. When I wrote LO user guides a few years ago, I did not use Draw as I had my own way of doing screenshots.

I am using MacOS for my work on LO user guides.
I take screenshots using Apple’s Screenshot app and the screenshot is automatically saved in PNG format.
To add text or additional graphics, I opened the PNG file in Draw and added my alterations.
I then saved (exported) the file in PNG format. When I came to use the modified screenshot, I got the message in Writer that this was an empty file. The question is what is happening in Draw when exporting files without saving in ODG first?
I then tried saving the screenshot in Draw format (ODG). Placing this ODG file directly into the Writer document, I got the message that this was an unrecognised format.
I then opened the ODG screenshot in Draw and exported as a new PNG file. This worked and the screen shot appeared in Writer.

In my opinion, Draw is not quite finished and does not have 100% compatibility with other LO modules. Can someone investigate as I am not a software boffin only a Technical Writer who has written on software applications.

I will be updating the Draw User Guide to version 6.4, which may give me a clue as to what is happening.

Regards
Peter Schofield
psauthor@gmail.com

Hi Peter,

I then saved (exported) the file in PNG format. When I came to use
the modified screenshot, I got the message in Writer that this was an
empty file. The question is what is happening in Draw when exporting
files without saving in ODG first?

It just works fine, if you do the proper choices in the export dialog.
(But I see that you'll be update the Draw guide - that may help :wink: ).
One thing, that happens to me now and then: when I do an export and
there is a single object (maybe empty) selected, while I choose to
export the selection (thinking of one page) there will be an 'empty' image.
But that is not an empty file. So something else went wrong on your side :wink:

Greetings,
Cor

Hi again,

In my opinion, Draw is not quite finished and does not have 100%
compatibility with other LO modules. Can someone investigate as I am
not a software boffin only a Technical Writer who has written on
software applications.

It looks as if it may help you if someone shows you one-by-one (screen
sharing)? how to do this.

Cheers,
Cor

Hello Regina

I have just re-read your email.

I use PNG format for screenshots as this is the best format to use and keeps the image sharp. This comes from experience and it is also mentioned in the information for the LO documentation team.
In the information it also mentions to use Draw if you want to add items to a screenshot. So I tried it and this is when I got the problem of an empty file. Importing an ODG file into Writer gives the warning message that the file format is not recognised.
Surely, I should be able to create an illustration or drawing in Draw, save it in ODG format and then copy and paste the file into Writer. LibreOffice consists of several modules and there should be complete compatibility between the different file formats that are created. Am I missing something? I wonder if any LO users have come across this problemm.

Regards
Peter Schofield
psauthor@gmail.com

Peter: why not copy and paste between the applications? There is no need to involve a whole document file.

Like Regina said, if your drawing consists of multiple elements, select them all, right-click and "Group" before copying and pasting the thing.

Ilmari

Peter Schofield kirjoitti 22.2.2020 klo 10.46:

I use Draw for some illustrations in a number of manuals I created and
maintain in Writer.
I have copy/pasted the illustrations from Draw to Writer, exported from
Draw as PNG (although I notice an export bug relating to resolution in
my current version) to insert as image and inserted the draw file
(Insert>Object>OLE object).
All work for me so I wonder if you have some other issue going on.

I now use Inkscape for more complicated illustrations as I can gain
finer control.
steve