CleanSVG - StarUML to Microsoft Word SVG Converter

A specialized utility for converting StarUML-generated SVG diagrams into a format compatible with Microsoft Word, specifically designed for ISO document preparation.

Purpose

This tool addresses critical compatibility issues when importing StarUML SVG diagrams into Microsoft Word:

• Removes Word-incompatible SVG attributes that cause Word's parser to fail (e.g., paint-order, vector-effect)
• Preserves UML class borders and structure (shadows, fills, and path-based borders)
• Flattens transform matrices to ensure proper positioning in Word
• Changes fonts from Arial to Cambria (or custom font) for ISO document compliance
• Adds viewBox attributes for proper scaling
• Cleans up problematic elements while maintaining diagram integrity

Background

StarUML exports SVG files using modern SVG 2.0 features that Microsoft Word doesn't fully support. Without processing, Word will either:

• Stop parsing after the first few elements
• Display diagrams with missing borders
• Fail to import the SVG entirely

This tool bridges the gap, making StarUML diagrams fully compatible with Word's SVG import capabilities.

Features

✅ Word Compatibility

• Removes paint-order attributes that break Word's SVG parser
• Removes vector-effect and other unsupported attributes
• Cleans up empty stroke-dasharray attributes

✅ Preserves Diagram Structure

• Maintains UML class borders (rendered as <path> elements)
• Preserves shadows (rectangles with opacity)
• Keeps all structural elements intact

✅ Transform Management

• Applies and flattens common transform matrices
• Converts matrix transforms to absolute coordinates
• Ensures proper positioning in Word

✅ Font Conversion

• Converts Arial to Cambria (default for ISO documents)
• Supports custom target font via command-line parameter
• Maintains text positioning and styling

✅ Safe Operation

• Creates .backup files before modifying
• Validates XML structure
• Provides detailed processing logs

Usage

Basic Usage

Process all SVG files in the current directory:

CleanSVG.exe

Custom Directory

Process SVG files in a specific directory:

CleanSVG.exe "C:\Path\To\Your\SVG\Files"

Custom Font Conversion

Convert fonts to a specific typeface:

CleanSVG.exe "C:\Path\To\SVG\Files" --font "Times New Roman"

Or using short form:

CleanSVG.exe "C:\Path\To\SVG\Files" -f "Calibri"

Skip Font Conversion

Process files without changing fonts:

CleanSVG.exe "C:\Path\To\SVG\Files" --no-font-change

Using Current Directory

Use . to explicitly specify the current directory:

CleanSVG.exe . --font "Arial"

Command-Line Parameters

Parameter	Description	Default
[directory]	Path to directory containing SVG files	Current directory
--font <name> or -f <name>	Target font family for conversion	Cambria
--no-font-change	Skip font conversion entirely	(font change enabled)
--help, -h, -?	Display help message	-

Processing Details

The tool performs the following operations on each SVG file:

1. ViewBox Addition: Adds viewBox attribute if missing for proper scaling
2. Debug Cleanup: Removes any debug backgrounds from previous runs
3. Transform Flattening: Applies and removes transform matrices
4. Attribute Cleaning: Removes Word-incompatible attributes
5. Rectangle Filtering: Removes only transparent overlays (preserves structural rectangles)
6. Font Conversion: Changes font families (default: Arial → Cambria)
7. Empty Group Removal: Cleans up empty <g> elements
8. Backup Creation: Saves original as filename.svg.backup

Output

The tool provides detailed console output:

CleanSVG - StarUML to Microsoft Word SVG Converter
===================================================
Directory: C:\My\SVG\Files
Target font: Cambria

Found 5 SVG files to process...

Processing: ClassDiagram1.svg
    Added viewBox: 0 0 800 600
    Fonts changed (Arial → Cambria): 23
    Transforms applied: 15
    Word-incompatible attributes cleaned: 8
    Empty elements removed: 3
  ✓ Modified and saved

=== Summary ===
Files processed: 5
Files modified: 5
Files unchanged: 0

Requirements

• .NET 10 or later
• Windows operating system
• Microsoft Word 2016 or later (for importing processed SVGs)

Typical Workflow

1. Design your UML diagrams in StarUML
2. Export diagrams as SVG files to a directory
3. Navigate to that directory in command prompt/terminal
4. Run CleanSVG.exe (or specify the directory)
5. Import the processed SVG files into Microsoft Word
6. Use in your ISO documentation

Technical Notes

Why Cambria?

Cambria is the default font for ISO documents and technical documentation because:

• It's optimized for on-screen reading
• Includes comprehensive Unicode coverage
• Maintains clarity at small sizes
• Is a standard Microsoft Office font

StarUML SVG Structure

StarUML generates SVG with the following structure for UML classes:

<g><!-- Shadow --><rect fill="#C0C0C0" fill-opacity="0.2" .../></g>
<g><!-- Background --><rect fill="#ffffff" stroke="none" .../></g>
<g><!-- Border --><path stroke="#000000" d="M ... Z" /></g>
<g><!-- Text --><text>ClassName</text></g>

This tool preserves all these elements while making them Word-compatible.

Backup Files

Original files are preserved as filename.svg.backup (created only once, never overwritten). To restore originals:

# Windows PowerShell
Get-ChildItem *.backup | ForEach-Object { Copy-Item $_ ($_.Name -replace '\.backup$','') }

Troubleshooting

No SVG Files Found

• Ensure you're in the correct directory or specify the full path
• Check that files have the .svg extension
• Verify the directory exists

Word Still Not Importing

• Verify the SVG opens correctly in a web browser
• Check that the file isn't corrupted
• Ensure Word supports SVG import (Word 2016+)

Borders Missing

• Check the console output for "Rectangles removed" count
• Verify the source SVG has <path> elements with stroke attributes
• Run with the latest version of CleanSVG

Fonts Not Changing

• Verify the --font parameter is spelled correctly
• Check console output for "Fonts changed" count
• Ensure source SVG uses Arial or the expected source font

Quick Start Examples

# Process current directory with default settings
CleanSVG.exe

# Process specific directory
CleanSVG.exe "D:\Projects\UML\Diagrams"

# Custom font for specific ISO standard
CleanSVG.exe "D:\ISO-27001\Diagrams" --font "Times New Roman"

# Keep original Arial fonts
CleanSVG.exe . --no-font-change

# Show help
CleanSVG.exe --help

License

This tool is provided as-is for processing StarUML SVG files for ISO documentation purposes.

Author

Developed for the ContSys 2026 FDIS documentation project.

Version History

v1.1.0

• Removed hard-coded directory path
• Default to current directory
• Added check for no SVG files found
• Improved error messages

v1.0.0

• Initial release
• Word compatibility fixes
• Transform flattening
• Configurable font conversion
• Comprehensive backup system

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For ISO Documentation Teams: This tool is specifically designed to maintain diagram quality and consistency when transitioning from design tools to formal documentation in Microsoft Word.