Plug-in Needed?

[pheadyalemap]

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? 

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

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.

[pheadyalemap]

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]

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

[pheadyalemap]

That worked, but the fuzzy parts of the png are still fuzzy. 

And in Inkscape, the code was there underneath the solid square layer. I think that may end up working for me! 

[Larry G. Schneider]

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

[pheadyalemap]

I tried that and I got the same alerts.

[Kurt Gold]

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.

[pheadyalemap]

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!