# 3.6. Working with Files

## 3.6.1. Saving Files

There are two main ways to save a file, either via the "File" menu item, or by clicking on the Diskette icon in the list of icons. If you've just created the drawing you're working on, and haven't saved it yet, you will be taken taken to a dialog where you can choose a name. This will happen regardless of which of the two methods you choose.

If the file already has a name, it will be used unless you select the menu item "Save As". You should ALWAYS use the file extension `.kil`. This is the only way to ensure that KIllustrator doesn't run into problems when it tries to find the file again.

## 3.6.2. Loading Files

Just as in saving files, there are two ways to load them. You can click on the corresponding icon from the list, or you can use the "Open" item from the "File" menu. Either way brings you to the "Open" dialog.

Since this dialog form conforms to the KDE standard, we won't go into the workings of every button. If you've selected the file you want to open a preview appears on the right side of the dialog box. Now you can load it by double-clicking the file name, or by clicking on the "OK" button.

## 3.6.3. Importing and Exporting Files

Regrettably, perhaps, one measure of a program's worth seems to be how many other programs' formats it supports. This does, however, afford a degree of flexibility to a piece of software; such import and export filters are necessary. KIllustrator can import a number of file formats:

- KIllustrator Drawings (.kil)

- XFig Drawings (.fig)

- Windows Metafiles (.wmf)

- GIF Images (.gif)

- JPEG Images (.jpg)

- PNG Images (.png)

- X11 Bitmaps

- X11 Pixmaps (.xpm)

KIllustrator can export files in the following formats:

- GIF Images (.gif)

- X11 Pixmaps (.xpm)

- Encapsulated Postscript (.eps)

- PPM Images (.ppm)

### 3.6.3.1. Importing

Importing objects into a KIllustrator drawing doesn't work quite the same for all formats, unfortunately. You will find most of the import filters in the "Edit" menu under "Insert". The submenu item "Clipart" lets you insert `.wmf` files.The filters for pixel-oriented images are under the submenu item "Bitmap". To import XFig drawings or another KIllustrator drawing, you have to use the "Import" item from the "File" menu. Dialogs are similar to those for opening files.

### 3.6.3.2. Exporting

Via the "File" menu and the item "Export" you reach the following Dialog:

This is very similar to the dialog for saving files. The only difference is the fact that you can choose what format to save the file in.

## 3.6.4. Printing Files