How to Export Diagrams from OmniGraffle in Different Formats

Edited 3 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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OmniGraffle is a powerful tool that provides users with the ability to easily create diagrams, charts, and illustrations. One of OmniGraffle's beneficial features is its ability to export diagrams into a variety of formats for different uses. Understanding how to effectively export these diagrams is crucial to taking advantage of the full potential of your work, whether it's for presentations, sharing with others, or integrating into larger projects. This guide will cover all aspects of exporting from OmniGraffle, including step-by-step instructions, tips for different formats, and considerations to keep in mind for each format.

Understanding export options in OmniGraffle

Before going into the exact details of exporting files from OmniGraffle, it is important to understand the range of export options available. OmniGraffle supports a wide variety of formats, which serve different needs and purposes. Each format has its own features, suitable use cases, advantages, and sometimes limitations. Familiarizing yourself with these export options will help you make an informed decision.

Popular export formats

• PDF: Portable Document Format files are widely used due to their ability to maintain a consistent appearance across different devices. PDFs are ideal for sharing professional presentations and finalized diagrams.
• PNG: Portable Network Graphics Format is a raster-graphics file format that supports lossless data compression. PNGs are suitable for web use due to their high quality and transparency capabilities.
• JPEG: Despite being a lossy format, JPEG is commonly used for web graphics where file sizes must remain small. It's perfect for informal diagrams or when quality isn't a primary concern.
• SVG: Scalable Vector Graphics are especially useful when you need vector files for web and print scalability. SVGs maintain quality at any size.
• TIFF: A high-quality raster format often used for printing purposes, providing fine detail levels.
• EPS: Encapsulated PostScript supports both bitmap and vector data. It is a versatile format often used for professional print design.

Step-by-step guide to exporting diagrams

Now that you understand the importance of choosing the right format, let's take a look at the process of exporting diagrams from OmniGraffle. Follow these detailed steps to ensure a successful export of your work.

Step 1: Opening your diagram

First, make sure your diagram is open in OmniGraffle. If your diagram isn't saved yet, be sure to save your project before proceeding, as the export depends on the current state of your work.

Step 2: Accessing the export function

Within OmniGraffle, go to the 'File' menu located in the upper-left corner of your screen. Click on it to reveal a dropdown menu. Here, find and select the 'Export' option. This action will open the Export dialog box, where you will choose your preferred format and customize the export settings.

Step 3: Choosing your export format

In the Export dialog box, you will see a variety of formats to choose from. Take some time to decide which format best suits your needs based on the explanations provided earlier. Select the format you want by clicking on it, which will highlight your choice.

Step 4: Customize export settings

After choosing a format, the next step is to customize the export settings. Depending on the format you choose, different settings will be available. Common settings include:

• Resolution: This determines the quality of rasterized images like PNG and JPEG. Higher resolutions produce better quality images but come with larger file sizes.
• Layers to export: OmniGraffle allows you to select specific layers to export. This can come in handy when you only need certain parts of your diagram.
• Page range: If your project has multiple canvases, you can choose which canvases to export.
• Scale: Adjust the scale of your exported diagram. This may be important to fit large diagrams into certain formats.

Step 5: Exporting your diagram

Once all the settings are configured to your satisfaction, click the 'Export' button, which is usually located at the bottom right of the dialog box. From here, you can choose the destination folder for the exported file, change the file name if necessary, and then click 'Save' to finalize the process.

Special considerations for different formats

Each format has its own considerations during the export process. Understanding these considerations can streamline your efforts and ensure the highest quality result. Below are special notes on exporting to popular formats:

Exporting to PDF

When exporting to PDF, be careful about your diagram's color settings and layers. PDF is supported by Adobe Acrobat or other PDF viewers that handle complex documents, so make sure your visual components are in harmony. Additionally, make sure your fonts are embedded properly to avoid unexpected substitutions.

Exporting to PNG and JPEG

When exporting to PNG or JPEG, resolution and compression settings take priority. For PNG, make sure to retain transparency if needed, while JPEG may lose quality if compressed too much.

Exporting to SVG

SVG exports retain vector data, which is perfect for maintaining scalability. Embedded fonts can enhance quality but increase file size. Also, verify that any interactivity within your SVG works as expected for web use.

Exporting to TIFF and EPS

For high-quality prints, TIFF offers strong support for detailed images. Consider the color format as this can affect the print output. EPS files, being versatile, are great for both raster and vector use, so confirm the EPS file meets the production specifications of your print service if you're working with a third party.

Tips for efficient exporting

To improve the efficiency and quality of your export process, consider the following suggestions:

• Test export settings: Before final export, test your settings on a small part of your diagram to find the best balance between quality and file size.
• Use templates for export settings: If you export diagrams often, saving favorite settings as templates can save time in the future.
• Use batch export: If you're working on multiple projects, OmniGraffle's batch export feature enables you to export multiple files at once, simplifying large or repetitive tasks.
• Keep software updated: Make sure your OmniGraffle software is up to date to take advantage of new and improved export features and supported formats.

Troubleshooting common export issues

Sometimes, you may encounter problems during the export process. Here are common problems and solutions:

• Graphics mismatch or distortion: This can happen when the aspect ratio is not maintained during scaling. Double-check your resolution and scale settings.
• Text formatting errors: These can be caused by missing fonts. Make sure all used fonts are installed and embedded during export.
• Large file sizes: If the sizes are cumbersome, consider reducing the resolution or choosing another format that naturally compresses better, such as JPEG.
• Inconsistent colors: Use a color profile consistent with your export format, especially important for high-fidelity prints.

Conclusion

Exporting diagrams from OmniGraffle to various formats is a multifaceted process that involves many considerations. By understanding the nuances of each format, customizing the export settings to suit your needs, and being aware of common problems and their solutions, you can utilize the full potential of OmniGraffle to create diagrams that meet and exceed professional standards. Whether for presentations, web use, or print, these guidelines provide strong guidelines for achieving seamless and effective exports.

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