Move paths from Illustrator to QuarkXPress

Dan Logan · Post by **Dan Logan** » 02 May 2007, 22:10

Here's a neat little trick for converting Illustrator paths to editable QuarkXPress paths (actually it works with any application that can paste paths to Photoshop). It requires XPert Box Tools, a component of XPert Tools (free for QuarkXPress 7 users).

1. Select the path in Illustrator and copy it to the clipboard
2. Create a document in Photoshop (size & color model doesn't matter)
3. Open the Paths palette and paste
4. Select Paste As Path in the Paste dialog. This will paste the paths into a new work path.
5. Double-click the work path on the Paths palette to name it and save it
6. Save the image as a TIFF and import it into a QuarkXPress layout
7. From either the Measurements palette or Modify dialog, go to the Clipping tab and select Embedded Path as the Type (it will default to the first path it finds)
8. Select Item > Picture Box Shape From Path > New Box From Clipping Path
9. If necessary use Item > Split to separate compound paths
10. Delete the picture content from the resulting box (I usually change its Content Type to None)
11. Color and style them as needed in QuarkXPress

This technique only works one path at a time, but it can handle compound paths so you can gang up a bunch of paths and convert them all at once if you like. There are also limitations to how closely you can match the styling of the original if it used a thick stroke (since QuarkXPress does inside or outside frames instead of strokes), but if you've ever considered recreating a complex shape in QuarkXPress you'll find this to be a good timesaver.

Dan Logan
Technical Product Management
Quark

Martin Malley · Post by **Martin Malley** » 12 Mar 2009, 05:12

I'm using quark 8.02 and cannot find Picture Box Shape from Path.Where would a fellow find such a tool?Martin

Matthias Guenther (Quark) · Post by **Matthias Guenther (Quark)** » 18 Nov 2009, 22:44

Hi, Martin,
for QuarkXPress 8 you can find it here: http://labs.quark.com/projectdetail.aspx?did=38

Enjoy!
Matthias

lewaw · Post by **lewaw** » 14 Apr 2010, 05:15

Hi
I have second idea
Here's a new/alternative trick for converting vector paths to editable QuarkXPress paths.
1. Save vector path in vector program for example CorelDRAW as ttf font (as symbol font) Shapes will be combine.
2. Install this font in Windows
3. In Quark we need use this new font for any letter.
4. Select this font/text
5. Item -> convert text to boxes -> convert entire box
6. The end ;-) Path now is typical editable Quarks path.

neologicspasm · Post by **neologicspasm** » 22 Apr 2010, 20:11

Matthias Guenther (Quark) wrote:Hi, Martin,
for QuarkXPress 8 you can find it here: http://labs.quark.com/projectdetail.aspx?did=38

Enjoy!
Matthias

Hi Matthias,Your link is dead, could you point me in the right direction?neo

Matthias Guenther (Quark) · Post by **Matthias Guenther (Quark)** » 22 Apr 2010, 20:19

Hi Neo,
yes, labs.quark.com moved and unfortunately only the home page link is redirected.
Please use this link:http://www.quarkalliance.com/index.php/ ... kxpress-81
Enjoy!
Matthias

Valentina · Post by **Valentina** » 17 Jun 2012, 23:24

Hi all, please find below the new link for the content above: http://alliance.quark.com/index.php?opt ... &Itemid=30

PetarMakedonecot · Post by **PetarMakedonecot** » 28 May 2015, 06:29

And, this is still not simplified in QXP 2015?

Matthias Guenther (Quark) · Post by **Matthias Guenther (Quark)** » 16 Mar 2018, 04:51

PetarMakedonecot wrote:And, this is still not simplified in QXP 2015?

No, we introduced the more powerful solution to change any vector element to QuarkXPress bezier curves in QuarkXPress 2016:
https://youtu.be/ihJ-tNg-9lI

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