Jim Monson

My problem with text in PDF imports into APub persists in this latest beta version (1.7.0.384) when importing a PDF with graphics and a text box into APub (PDF was made via ADesigner). As you see in my examples, often the text is not rendered correctly when importing the AD-made PDF into APub. The AD-PDF is perfect but the text become a problem when imported into APub. The first snap below is an example of the text *after* imported into APub. The second is the AD-PDF stand alone before importing.

More experimenting here. In AD I find that changing the opacity on the actual pencil-drawn map tif (the on in my first post) rather than on the layer in which it resides may be what may be causing the PDF problem (noted in my first post). In order to make my AD layers sensible (there are many vector layer above the tif map), I usually have a top TIF layer with the name of the tif on which I am working. The first sublayer under this top layer in AD is the the bounding box (frame). The actual map tif is in a sub-sublayer under the frame in order to hide the non-tif part of the drawn map. I have a totally different result (much better result) when exporting a PDF when I stopped adjusting the opacity of the actual tif and adjust the top layer. I then added a pen and ink line drawing of the same map (a PNG with zero opacity in the background) in a separate top layer above the pencil-drawn map tif and adjusted the opacity of this PNG. This almost obliterated the entire map when exporting a PDF. Then I put the PNG below the pencil-drawn map tif and adjusted the two top layers to what I desired. I used the Hard Mix blending mode. This worked far better, as the snap below shows---and the map was consistent throughout. This is the same area of the map as I showed in my first post above. I'm saying all of this simply to relate how these various positions impacted my result. There must be a good reason for the differences, but I'll leave that up to you to figure out. In this close-up snap you can see the two tifs, but when the entire map is seen on the map the effect is quite striking.

Another problem, either with the AD export or the APub import, is that the color of the PDF "blocks" varies in APub. In order to compensate for the dark APub color in my post above I tried cutting the AD tiff opacity to 60%. The result is below (detail first snap), a snap from APub after I imported the tif I had made at 60%. I understand that dealing with PDF is problematic in this context but I need the PDF in order to keep all of my map graphics vector in APub (graphics drawn in AD layers above the tif). I hope this helps isolate the problem for you. How you deal with all of these variables is amazing. Compare the darker top right relief with the rest of the PDF, appearing this way *only after* the PDF was placed in A Pub. The export from AD was perfect. I'll add a small snap of the entire map to show the area in which the opacity apparently was not completed in A Pub. Note that the opacity on the left and on very bottom does not continue into the rest of the map.

Having tried various exports from Affinity Designer (AD) to import into APub, I have found that a PNG keeps the AD export color and tone best. The TIF export is very problematic in terms of tone. The PDF is beautiful when exporting from AD beta but when importing into APub it becomes very dark in tone. I can alter the opacity but in doing that I lose much of what I worked so hard to achieve in APhoto. I've tried replacing the imported PDF and the result is the same. Is this a known problem? Here are part of the PDF as it came out of AD and as it looks when imported into APub. PDF Export from AD PDF Export as it a ppears in APub

Good idea, Carl123. Will use it. Thanks.

I thought it best to add a new reply rather than add to the one above. 1. I did drop my layers into a new files and the problem persisted. 2. Among other layers doc has an original layer, i.e., the original Background drawing. It also has a selection above the original, a specific part of the same map adjusted separately to add to the original (snap of my layers below). 3. In the process I discovered that the Dodge worked on my original layer but not on the selection on a separate layer above the original . Thus the problem of only having a burn while using the Dodge must be connected to this added selection. BTW, I'm very careful to be on the proper layer for editing. 4. I'm attaching a snap of my layers with the selection line barely visible in the middle of the snap. Dodge works on the right original but the left only burns although I use the Dodge. You can see that I am attempting to Dodge the heavier hills on the right side of the left selection. Question: Could it be that the selection contains something that is causing it to burn, or that it simply cannot respond to the selected tool but only to burn?

Thanks, Lee. Here is what I have done. 1. Opened a AP new doc, placed a tif in it and the Dodge Tool worked fine. 2. Opened AP with CNTL and of course got the Clear User Data. Not wanting to lose anything I deselected all, pressed Clear and then opened the doc in which I had had the problem. Problem still there. 3. Did the same as above but while CNTL down I chose the problem doc to open. Problem still there. 4. Did the same but only checked Clear User Defaults. Problem still there. 5. Did the same but only checked Don't Restore Window and Documents. Problem still there. Not wanting to reset my Studio or other items in Clear User Data I thought it best to report what I have done thus far. My blend mode is a Normal in the doc. It appears that it is something in this specific doc. I can make a new doc and drop the data into it but wanted to ask you first. This is a 200+ hand drawn map in great detail and thus I don't want to do something unnecessary. Thanks for further advice.

The Burn and Dodge tools have been working well on various layers but tonight AffPhoto got stuck on the Burn tool. Even though my tools show that I have chosen (many time over) the Dodge tool, burning continues. When I use the Clone tool from a lighter image to darker image the burn also takes place. I thought it might be the RAM but quit AP and brought it up again and the problem persisted. I'm very careful about layers, etc. so this is not the problem. I see differences but only burning takes place.

The clone and healing brushes in Affinity Photo work fine for me as long as I am working in one doc. However, I do not seem to be able to use the clone brush tool in transferring from one doc to another, even though I'm on the an open and visible layer. Is that yet in AP?

Not a bit miffed, Casterle. In fact, I'm very pleased when Affinity produces just what I need. Those little beavers are amazing.

Great, Walt. Thanks. Everything I ask appears to be in the 1.7 beta, which is very encouraging. I'll have to remember to look there first before writing the forum. I hope the the non-beta comes out soon since I have many complex map projects awaiting publication that need these features.

My request above may be too much of a challenge for present programmers. There are other, perhaps less challenging improvements. 1. By holding the Control key (Mac) allows me to use the cursor keys to move upon and down my history, but it does not show me what changes on my screen as I move. I have tried various combos of modifier keys but none appear to make this happen. Am I missing something, and if not, this optioni would be very useful in History.. Otherwise I must use my mouse, and this requires more time to see what is happening in History and takes my eyes away from the doc. 2. Being able to bold or cap various points in History would also be very helpful, or even just entering blank or a line at certain points. The longer the History the greater the challenge to locate a special point.

I entered this in another thread (Questions) but thought I should repeat it here as a probably bug. ____ After editing gradients in AffPub for awhile, I can no longer bring up color editing options by clicking the Gradient color box. I tried quitting AffPub and bringing it up again but that did not work. I then rebooted my iMac and it worked again. Previously I've had the same problem in Designer but have not tried it recently so it may have been fixed. I am saving history during the day so it could be related to that. Is this a bug or simply RAM related? Later note: After rebooting the iMac, only having the one AffPub doc up (only a few hundred mg), and only editing one small box, the Gradient color box is no longer active when clicking click on it. Thus this must be a bug, something making the Gradient color box non-active after using it one time on one graphic. As you can imagine, I can't constantly reboot to edit a gradient. Thanks for any suggestions on this current and much appreciated beta. Still later note: It appears to remain active if I do not "close" the Gradient window. Could it be some bug in the closing and reopening code? Last note: I have found that leaving the Gradient window open and simply putting it to the side while working elsewhere, I can bring up its color editing options by clicking the Gradient color box. Therefore it appears that actually closing the Gradient window often makes the Gradient color box inactive. Might this be a bug?

After editing gradients in AffPub for awhile, I can no longer bring up color editing options by clicking the Gradient color box. I tried quitting AffPub and bringing it up again but that did not work. I then rebooted my iMac and it worked again. Previously I've had the same problem in Designer but have not tried it recently so it may have been fixed. I am saving history during the day so it could be related to that. Is this a bug or simply RAM related? Later note: After rebooting the iMac, only having the one AffPub doc up (only a few hundred mg), and only editing one small box, the Gradient color box is no longer active when clicking click on it. Thus this must be a bug, something making the Gradient color box non-active after using it one time on one graphic. As you can imagine, I can't constantly reboot to edit a gradient. Thanks for any suggestions on this current and much appreciated beta. Still later note: It appears to remain active if I do not "close" the Gradient window. Could it be some bug in the closing and reopening code? Last note: I have found that leaving the Gradient window open and simply putting it to the side while working elsewhere, I can bring up its color editing options by clicking the Gradient color box. Therefore it appears that actually closing the Gradient window often makes the Gradient color box inactive. Might this be a bug? If so, my original Title was incorrect and thus I changed it (above).

Creating and editing gradients in Affinity Designer is so easy. However, color editing in the Gradient Map of Affinity Publisher does not accept my editing, even if I enter the CYMK numbers after selecting the Gradient Map's color box. Is there a video or forum link on this topic? As yet I have not found it.