Device-N support in Affinity Publisher and Designer

[mmayerle]

Hello folks

Is there a way in Affinity Publisher to output proper Device-N color spaces to PDF?

In Adobe InDesign it is possible since Version 2 to create color gradients from one spot color (for example Pantone) to any CMYK process color. In Affinity Publisher you can create such elements, but they will always be converted to CMYK after exporting it to PDF. I think this is not supported in Affinity Publisher, or am I wrong here?

This would be a vital and very important feature for future versions of Affinity Publisher/Designer. Device-N objects are often required and widely used, at least here in Switzerland.

Could you consider implementing this in future versions?

Best regards

Michel

[Dave Harris]

Affinity apps do support Device N colour spaces for vector gradients. I've attached an example file that has a gradient between two spots, and between a spot and a process colour. I've also attached the exported PDF/X-1a that has the Device N shadings. I made this with 1.9.1, but the support has been there for a while. It does have to be a vector gradient with the fill tool, and not a gradient overlay filter effect or other raster gradient.

2.afpub

2.pdf

[mmayerle]

Hmm, very strange. Today when I tested it at home it worked out nicely. In my office it did not. Might have been UE (user error) 🙂

Still it would be nice, if it worked just as well with any effects applied (as it does in InDesign).

Best regards

Michel

[loukash]

On 3/24/2021 at 12:12 PM, Dave Harris said:

not a gradient overlay filter effect or other raster gradient

Not to speak of transparencies. And therein lies the problem.

See also e.g.

 

[lacerto]

(...)

[loukash]

On 3/24/2021 at 12:12 PM, Dave Harris said:

I've attached an example file that has a gradient between two spots, and between a spot and a process colour. I've also attached the exported PDF/X-1a that has the Device N shadings. I made this with 1.9.1, but the support has been there for a while. It does have to be a vector gradient with the fill tool

Does not work with overprint spot swatches at all. They don't overprint, no matter what combination I try.
APu 1.9.3, El Capitan

Seriously, we need an object based overprint attribute!