If you download a vector file from sites like Freepik or Vexels, chances are you will get an EPS file after extracting the ZIP file. Popular vector graphic software like Illustrator and CorelDRAW have the capability to edit an EPS file by default. Unfortunately, the same capability is not owned by Inkscape. It doesn’t mean you can’t open and edit an EPS file with Inkscape.
To open and edit an EPS file using Inkscape, you can install GhostScript. It is a software suite based on an interpreter for Adobe Systems’ PostScript and Portable Document Format (PDF) page description languages. GhostScript will convert/interpret your EPS file (Encapsulated PostScript) to a format that is recognized by Inkscape. GhostScript is available for Windows and Linux.
In this post, we will show you how to install and use GhostScript on Windows. First, download the GhostScript binary file from its official website. Make sure to select a version according to your operating system version (32 bit or 64 bit). Simply double-click the binary file (the EXE file) to install it on your computer.
Once installed, you need to setup the environment variables for two GhostScript’s folders: bin and lib. Type “environment variables” on Windows Search and click Edit the system environment variables on the search results.
The System Properties window will appear afterward. Click the Environment Variables button.
Next, select Path and click the Edit button.
Click the New button, followed by the Browse button to find the path of the bin folder of GhostScript.
Normally, the bin folder — as well as the lib folder — has the path of C:\Program Files\gs as you can see on the screenshot below. Click the OK button to add the path.
Once the path of the bin folder is added, do the same thing for the lib folder path so you will have two new folder paths added as you can see on the screenshot below. Click the OK button to apply the changes.
Restart your Inkscape and try to open your EPS file (Ctrl+O). When seeing the following dialog, click the OK button to import the EPS file.
Once the file is imported, start the editing by ungrouping the image.
You can now export your EPS file as a PNG file or save it as SVG file if you want to edit it again later.
Excellent tutorial, which worked! Thank you
When I go to Edit the path it doesn’t show me the big window with the browser and new tabs options, only a small window with the variable name and the value under the name…
I don’t know what to do :'(
same here
Thank you for this tutorial
Everything works except when I open my EPS file it appears blank or empty on Inkscape. I tried with several EPS files and it always happens. Does anyone know why ?
Tried this and the eps file won’t open (nothing happens… no window, no error, just nothing).
Also having same issues as Isa & Rere.
Excellent tutorial, which worked! Thank you
Excellent tutorial. Thank you very much.
One usual issue with nothing showing is just that the object is white on a white background.
Select All and change fill color or other appropriate setting and if it is the “white on white” issue then the object will probably show.
After going through all the steps, inkscape begin to actually display the icon of the eps file, which it was not doing before. But it still can’t open. It says: ‘gswin64c’ is not recognized as an internal or external command,
Work for me, thanks!
Clear and concise. Thank you so much for taking the time to share this information.
Thanks so much for this tutorial! I did this on my laptop running Windows 10 and Inkscape v1.0 and it worked perfectly.
Worked using Windows 11 and the latest version of Inkscape (v1.1). Thank you so much!
thanks for the taking the time to make this tutorial. Worked flawlessly
Thank you for this nice tutorial! It worked perfectly both in Windows 10 and Windows 11!
Thank you. This worked for me also on Windows 10
Thank you, it’s working!
Great worked!
Worked directly. Great guide
Thanks a lot. Clear step by step instructions. It works.
Jos Moens