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pheadyalemap
Participant
April 13, 2022
Answered

Plug-in Needed?

  • April 13, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 857 views

I have a QR code that I have created from an online source and want to incorporate it into a business card. I can download the code as a PNG and as an SVG. The PNG is fuzzy and not suitable for reprint. The SVG looks crisp but when I try to open it in Illustrator, I get the alerts shown below. If I hit 'ignore' all of the components of the QR code are there, but in random places. Is there an appropriate plug-in that would fix this issue or a way to import the code without said issues? 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Monika Gause

A QR code is basically 2 color information: black and white.

So if you open it in Photoshop and convert it from greyscale (or whatever it is now) to bitmap (black and white), you will be able to scale it in Illustrator and it stays crisp, because all edges are either horizontal or vertical.

 

As for the SVG: try and open it in Inkscape (free) and then export it as PDF or EPS to place in Illustrator.

SVG is Inkscape's native file format. But if the code doesn't work there, then you're lost.

3 replies

Kurt Gold
Community Expert
Kurt GoldCommunity Expert
Community Expert
April 13, 2022

There is at least one (free) QR-Code Maker plugin for Illustrator on Adobe Exchange. I haven't tried it, so I don't know if it may be useful.

 

On the other hand, do you perhaps have InDesign? It has a pretty good QR-Code Maker (located in the Object menu). You may create it there and then just copy it and paste into Illustrator. The code will consist of vector paths.

 

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    pheadyalemapAuthor
    Participant
    April 13, 2022

    I do have ID and did not know there was a code maker there! I'll play around with that - thank you for the info!

    Larry G. Schneider
    Community Expert
    Larry G. SchneiderCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 13, 2022

    Don't Open it. Try just Placing the SVG into AI.

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    pheadyalemapAuthor
    Participant
    April 13, 2022

    I tried that and I got the same alerts.

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    April 13, 2022

    A QR code is basically 2 color information: black and white.

    So if you open it in Photoshop and convert it from greyscale (or whatever it is now) to bitmap (black and white), you will be able to scale it in Illustrator and it stays crisp, because all edges are either horizontal or vertical.

     

    As for the SVG: try and open it in Inkscape (free) and then export it as PDF or EPS to place in Illustrator.

    SVG is Inkscape's native file format. But if the code doesn't work there, then you're lost.

    P
    pheadyalemapAuthor
    Participant
    April 13, 2022

    Thanks for the help Monika. Unfortunately when I opened the SVG in Inkscape, it just opened as a solid black square?? So I'm guessing that isn't going to work. 

     

    And in Photoshop, I can't get it to convert to bitmap. That option is grayed out - unless I'm doing something wrong which is entirely possible as I don't know it all that well. 

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 13, 2022

    Then you need to convert to greyscale first. Then black and white.

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