I need to extract some vector graphs from a PDF document and turn them into values in a spreadsheet. If I could pick the curve itself out of the document and save it as an SVG, that would be a start. I can't think of a tool that can import and break a PDF into its constituent parts except for Adobe Illustrator and I don't have that on my system anymore. Any clever suggestions?
@thor but still, inkscape might be worth a try.
@hil It doesn't run too well on Mac. They didn't really do a good job of porting it. Runs on the Quartz X server instead of being a fully native app. Also takes ages to start. In fact, I couldn't even get it to the splash screen when I tried to fire it up earlier today. Given the line thickness of the graph, I'd get better results if I could just isolate the vector path from the graph instead of tracing it, since that's going to be way more precise.
@hil Running Linux would be a disaster for my creative workflow, not because Linux itself isn't suited to it, but because all the best apps for music, photo editing, vector graphics, video and typesetting are made for Windows and macOS. Some actually only exist for macOS.
@hil I've had people on the Internet try to convert me to FLOSS for years, but I have some pretty high standards. The software really needs to hit the nail on the head, and many of the FLOSS offerings just fall short of my expectations and needs. I work in the creative realm and I don't want to have to desperately search for software that only barely does what I need it to. I'd rather just pay the money.
@thor http://plotdigitizer.sourceforge.net/ java should work an mac? I have no really good idea, sorry. Fishing here in an useless attempt to help. Good luck anyway ^^
@hil The PDF contains vector paths. I don't need to trace it. They are already vectors. I just need a vector editor that import PDF and export SVG. Had hoped I could pull it off with Inkscape, but it plain refuses to start, so that's why I was looking for suggestions.
@thor You could run it from a linux iso in a vm on your mac just for that one task. Will not perform superfast, but if it is just that one task... might be the easiest way. and cheapest.
@thor Yah, best on Linux of course. Use what works for you. :)