Export CSV

CSV - Export

Comma Separated Values (CSV) is commonly used to export a data table, often used with a database or spreadsheet application. The output is a simple table of Bezier vertices, control points, and connection keys.

CSV is not a robust graphics interchange format. The original drawing can not be re-created with only the CSV information. Use the user definable on the Graphic Details Inspector when "nothing" is selected, refer to Scalable Vector Graphic format for a robust, text based, graphic interchange of the full drawing information.

Copy Special -> Path as SVG is similiar numeric text export method. This is found on the Edit menu, Copy Special submenu. Path as SVG is a more robust than CSV export. The formal SVG specification describes path as SVG content in complete detail. Path as SVG is more compact, very efficient with respect to string length.

This is an advanced topic. A working knowledge of Bezier graphic geometry is needed to understand the CSV table. If needed, a quick study on the internet or any computer graphics textbook should suffice. The Apple Developer Connection website has detailed information on this topic.

Access this export panel from the File main menu, Export menu item. Then select CSV with the top - left popup menu.

CSV export creates a text numeric table. Each line of text in the CSV file represents one originating graphic of the drawing. Each vertex of the graphic is defined by an control code of: M, L, C, or X; denoting Move, Line To, Curve To, or Close. Six comma separated numeric values follow the control code. This results in 7 comma separated values for each vertex or control command required to draw a single graphic. A new-line indicated the completion of the graphic and beginning of the next graphic (or the end of the file).

The top popup menu is used to specify which graphics are included in the export. If there are graphics selected on the drawing, a CSV table may be generated with only these graphics.

The Text Encoding popup menu is used to specify the text encoding for the output text file. This may be relevant depending on the receiving application. The default (Unicode UTF-8) should work fine in most cases.

The numeric values are defined in the current drawing units (inches, centimeters, points, ...). The drawing units are defined on the Scale palette (Format main menu). For reference, the drawing ruler can be used to illuminate the values that are provided in the CSV table.

The precision (number of decimal points) is the same as seen on the Graphic Details Inspector. This is user definable on the Graphic Details Inspector when "nothing" is selected, refer to Numeric Formats for information on this topic.

Only Bezier graphics are exported to the CSV table. Text graphics, imported bitmap images, and dimensions are not exported to the table, they are simply ignored when the table is constructed.

The CSV table has no information concerning the grouping or layer hierarchy of the drawing. All graphics are represented individually. Drawing (or painting) order is preserved in the data table. Graphics appearing first in the table are behind logically behind other graphics.

There is no information concerning the color, fill, dashed lines, gradients, etc. This is a simple dump of the graphic vertices found in the drawing.

The best documentation for this format is the actual output file. Generate a simple test drawing and study the CSV output with a text editor to get a detailed understanding of the format.

The lines representing the graphics may become quite long. This may be a problem, especially if the receiving application is of an "older" design. The only solution is to find a receiving application that can accept the long lines of text or to keep the drawing graphics simple and limit the number of vertices. For example a complex shape drawn with the pencil tool would probably not be practical for this export format, SVG does handle this situation.

EazyDraw does not provide "round-trip" support for this format. EazyDraw cannot import a CSV table. SVG should be used to import Bezier graphics.

The numerical representation of a vertex (or the Close bezier instruction) is always with 7 values. Some of the values will be blank (or empty). The total of 7 commas are present for each entry.

This CSV table will, in general, not work with other graphic applications and cannot be used for web-graphic representations. This tabular format would normally be used for data exchange with user generated applications or applets.