"
If it isn't svg we shouldn't be doing anything other than importing/exporting it."I totally agree.
"The real problem is that saving / exporting to a raster format is different than saving to a vector format. Raster saving has many more
options to specify the area of the export."Raster saving might have more options, but why not just show a popup screen if some options are available when saving to anything other than svg? That is how most software packages seem to handle this issue.
I also disagree with how Illustrator and Blender handles this. They also have "Save As", "Save a copy", and "Export". That doesn't mean anything to me if I don't have experience with the software.
This is what I would do:
-Ban working on a fileformat which is lossy. That is too risky. Only use inkscape SVG as the working document. This is the only format "Save" would save to.
-Don't use "Save a Copy". The functionality is great (I use it all the time), but the terminology sucks. Instead, put this functionality in "Export". But return to the Inkscape SVG working document after saved.
-Do not use "Export" And "Save As / Save a Copy" at the same time. They sound too similar and is too confusing. Pick one. I would go with just "Save" (only Inkscape SVG, no save options), and "Export" (anything else, with save options after clicking Export).
-Do not put the Export PNG in a different panel which fits in the toolbar. It should be a popup so it is easy to find. The same type of popup which is used for all the other Export file formats.
-To improve workflow, offer the ability not to show a popup when exporting a file, but use the settings from Edit-Preferences menu instead.