Graphic designers, illustrators, and artists from every niche nowadays prefer vector file formats for creating and modifying their art pieces. If they find appealing objects in PDF format, they tend to convert them into vector file format. The reason is that PDF documents reduce the quality of the elements added to your document and don't support diverse print formats, as the elements get pixelated.
So, PDF-to-vector conversion unlocks a new dimension of benefits that empower us to create, edit, and enhance objects. As professional artists focus on artwork creation, many don’t know how to convert a PDF to a vector file format. Therefore, this article will discuss everything related to the conversion, including stepwise guides and software, so you don't have to search different sites.
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Part 1. Reason to Know: Why One Should Convert PDF to Vector?
After learning about PDF to vector format, let's learn why you should convert your PDF documents to a vector file. For this purpose, below are some of the few benefits of converting PDF to a vector file, which you must know if you strive for perfection in vectors.
- Effortless Editing of Document: Editing a PDF document can be quite troublesome, so converting it to a vector file can ease the editing process. Upon converting, you can easily alter the shapes, modify colors, and revise the text.
- Imperishable Impact on Design Patterns: The vector file format gives you more control over the individual elements within your design. Images and other elements in PDF documents tend to get pixelated when they are stretched. Besides, the vector elements can be resized without any loss in quality, making them perfect for logos, icons, and illustrations.
- Perfection of Printing Results:Converting a PDF file to a vector allows us to achieve a professional-grade printable result. The clear and sharp results help your content stand out amongst the others.
- Potential File Size Reduction: Sometimes, converting a PDF to vectorelements can help reduce the file size. This can help us achieve a more streamlined workflow, easier storage, and faster sharing gradability.
Part 2. Types of Vector Formats: A Reflection on SVG, EPS & AI
In the previous part, we discussed the benefits of converting a PDF document to a vector. Let’s discuss the types of vector formats and how they will best suit your specific needs.
1. SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
An SVG format is known for its versatility as it is a web-friendly vector file format. SVGs vector files store images using mathematical formulas based on points and lines on a grid. Since they are text-based it makes them editable with a text editor. They are easily searchable by web crawlers, making them ideal for web graphics and animations.
2. EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)
EPS vector-based files are excellent for high-quality printing and can handle complex designs. Their greatest advantage is that EPS files are often used for logos or illustrations of these vector files. This is especially true because the elements do not lose their resolution despite being resized.
3. AI (Adobe Illustrator)
The native file format for Adobe Illustrator, which is a popular vector graphics editing software marketed by Adobe. These AI files offer extensive features and are great for creating complex illustrations and designs. AI allows its users to work faster and more efficiently, as it enhances creativity, ingenuity, and intelligence.
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Part 3. Basic Methods to Convert PDF to SVG: Offline & Online
As discussed earlier, SVG refers to scalable vector graphics, which is a vector image format that uses XML to define 2D graphics. The conversion of PDF to vector files facilitates easier manipulation of vector graphics in the PDF and image resizability without losing quality. Whatever the user case is, you must know how to make such conversions and, for this purpose, explore the solutions provided.
Method 1. Convert PDF To SVG Online Free: Using Zamzar Online File Conversion
If you need to instantly convert a PDF to SVG, you can access an online converter such as Zamzar, which was launched in 2006. It is designed to provide perfection in conversions, and you can upload your PDF document for free, up to 2 MB.
Apart from PDF to SVG conversion, it facilitates image-to-text, audio-to-text, and even video-to-text conversion services. To learn how it works, you can review the given step-by-step guide and transform your PDF into SVG format:
Step 1: Go to Zamzar's official site, access the PDF to SVG converter, and hit the “Choose Files” button on the main screen. Using it, browse the PDF files containing vector graphics and press the “Open” button to upload them.
Step 2: After uploading, the “Convert Now” button will turn green, so click on it, and the conversion process will begin. Once the conversion finishes, you will find a “Download” button on the next screen to download the SVG format.
Method 2. Convert PDF to Vector (SVG) Offline: Using Inkscape
Suppose you have a sensitive PDF document for which you cannot rely on an online converter. In this situation, you need an offline PDF to vector-format converter such as Inkscape that ensures the security of your uploaded PDFs. This software is primarily known for its drawing and shaping tools, which create vector graphics for publication on the web or in physical form.
In addition, it is considered valuable for generating and editing SVG files. To simplify the conversion process, we have broken down the operations into simple steps, which are mentioned below:
Step 1: Download Inkscape software on your system and launch it successfully to begin. Now, go to the top-left side and click the “File” option to choose the “Import” option from the extended list. Then, pick the PDF file you wish to import and hit the “Open” button to import it.
Step 2: Upon uploading the PDF document, again use the "File" option at the top-left side and hit the "Save As" option from the list. Next, extend the "Save As Type" menu using the downward icon next to it and select the "SVG" format. Finally, press the "Save" button, and the file will be downloaded to the system in your chosen format.
Part 4. A Step-by-Step Guide to Convert PDF to EPS
EPS is considered a valuable format for designing vector images and objects, and it facilitates the convenient import of an EPS file into an editing program. For this purpose, several offline and online options exist, such as CorelDRAW.
It is a professional-grade graphic suite for illustrations, vectors, typography, and collaboration. Although CorelDRAW has a complex interface, it is the perfect software for graphic design and creative art generation or editing. This software can even convert PDF to EPS format; for this purpose, you can follow the next steps:
Step 1: Open the CorelDRAW toolkit and click the “Open Document” option on the main interface. Through it, bring your PDF file into the system and navigate to the “File” option at the top-left corner.
Step 2: Press the "File" option at the top-left side and choose the "Save As" option from the extended list. Now, a menu will pop up, and you need to extend the "Save As Type" option to select the "SVG" format. Later, you need to confirm the conversion with the "OK" buttons that appear afterward.
Part 5. A Step-by-Step Guide to Convert PDF to AI
Today, AI has been expanding its abilities by being not just limited to a specific domain; instead, it is also embedded in editing software. Meanwhile, vector formats are the preferable formats for keeping high-resolution and printable graphics. When the AI gets combined with editing software, the PDF to vector conversion becomes much easier without compromising on quality.
However, this section introduces Adobe Illustrator, which can help you in the seamless format conversion process beyond AI. With the power of AI, Adobe Illustrator is an industry-leading vector graphic editor that aims to create logos, web graphics, and packaging designs.
Professionals use this software to create complex shapes, 3D artworks, and design illustrations. What’s more, you can convert PDF files to Adobe Illustrator’s vector files through the step-by-step guide given ahead.
Step 1: Download and set up Adobe Illustrator software to create a new file via drag and drop. Then, navigate to the top bar and choose the “Object” option to obtain the “Flatten Transparency” option in the list.
Step 2: From the next pop-up menu, ensure you enable the "Convert All Text to Outline" option while disabling others. Next, press the "OK" button and return to the PDF document's objects or text.
Step 3: Right-click the text on the file and press the “Ungroup” option from the next list. Now, your object or text isn’t in PDF, and you can edit as desired in the vector format.
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Beyond PDF handling, this software has an AI-powered feature that can save you time, effort, and resources by offering everything in one place. Through this platform, you can even edit your PDF as desired when previously PDF editing felt impossible. Besides, it lets you create new PDFs and read them in a comfortable mode that saves you from eye strain.
Key Features of Afirstsoft PDF
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The first one is the most trending ability of Afirstsoft, which involves PDF summarization and chat. Readers can benefit from this feature by getting an extracted version of their lengthy PDF document. Instead of reading a complex PDF thoroughly, one can use the AI PDF summary feature. Moreover, if you have a query about your PDF, this software can respond to you precisely with AI chatting ability.
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Part 6. FAQs
- What is the advantage of converting a PDF to a vector file format?
Converting a PDF to a vector file format allows you to maintain high-quality graphics that can be scaled without losing resolution. This is ideal for design elements that require resizing or high-resolution output, such as logos and illustrations.
- What tools can I use to convert a PDF to an SVG file?
For converting PDFs to SVG files, you can use online tools like Zamzar or offline software like Inkscape. These tools will help you achieve scalable vector graphics from your PDF content.
- How do I convert a PDF to an EPS file?
To convert a PDF to an EPS file, use graphic design software such as CorelDRAW. Open the PDF in the software and save it as an EPS file to retain vector quality for printing and detailed design work.
- What is the process for converting a PDF to an AI file?
To convert a PDF to an AI file, use Adobe Illustrator. Open the PDF in Illustrator, then save it as an AI file. This allows you to edit and manipulate the vector graphics using Illustrator's features.
- What is the best practice for ensuring high-quality vector conversion?
To ensure high-quality vector conversion, use reliable and specialized software for the specific vector format you need. For best results, make sure the PDF has high-resolution content and use tools like Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, or Inkscape, which are designed to handle vector graphics accurately.
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Conclusion
Let’s just end the discussion with the statement that there are several ways to convert PDF to vector SVG, EPS, and so on. This article has discussed different approaches to demonstrate the process either online or offline. The stepwise guides might have helped you in the process, but if you need a platform with more than PDF conversion, navigating into the Afirstsoft PDF editor will be worthwhile.
Emily Davis
Editor-in-Chief
Emily Davis is one of the staff editors of Afirstsoft PDF Editor team. She is a dedicated staff editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for refining content.
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