Imported PDF does not contain some images

[WhiteOwl2]

I used Affinity Publisher 1.10.1.1142 on Windows (Windows 10 (21H1) Professional x64) to test the import of PDF files. Unfortunately, some graphics / images of PDF files are not displayed after the import. I tried all possible import settings which I found, but each time I got the same result. When I open the same PDF files with Tracker PDF-XChange Pro, the graphics /images are displayed. I attached a sample PDF file to reproduce this issue together with a screenshot of the same file opened in Tracker PDF-XChange Pro. I already tested the same PDF file with Affinity Publisher 1.9.0 and 1.9.2. As the problem also exists in the current version, I decided to open this issue, and I hope that the problem can be solved in the near future.

For Your information:

1) I did not activate Hardware Acceleration (Preferences > Performance);

2) I used File -> Open and selected the PDF file to open it in Affinity Publisher. I dialog opened and I tried all possible configuration options to inport the PDF file. No combination of options was successful.

Affinity Publisher Issue with PDF Import of a Bitmap Graphic.pdf

[Old Bruce]

For what it is worth here on Mac OS 11.6 the same thing happens. Preview (Mac's default PDF viewer) shows the graphic. Publisher will show it only if the file is placed and the setting for display is set to Passthrough, Interpret shows no graphic.

Where was this PDF made? there is no information about that in Preview. Just a blank line for Content Creator and date of creation which is weird.

[Joachim_L]

Even Illustrator CS6 (attached image) fails to show the bitmap fill properly, whereas Inkscape opens the fill okay with the Poppler/Cairo option.

 

[Pauls]

Adobe acrobat has crashed while inspecting this PDF how or what created it?

[WhiteOwl2]

The PDF was originally created by a third party which I don't want to mention here, but I opened it in Tracker PDF X-Change Editor, modified the displayed text, and saved it as PDF using Tracker PDF X-Change Pro. The file can also be opened in Adobe Acrobat Reader on Windows without any problems but Affinity Publisher does not display the graphic/image.

I think that it doesn' t matter how the PDF was created but that it is a valid PDF file, and Affinity Publisher does not import the PDF correctly.

[walt.farrell]

2 hours ago, WhiteOwl2 said:

I think that it doesn' t matter how the PDF was created but that it is a valid PDF file,

But if Acrobat crashes with it, that calls its validity into question, even if some other apps accept it.

[WhiteOwl2]

@walt.farrell As I already said, I also tested it with Adobe Acrobat Reader on Windows and it did not crash. It showed the same as the provided screenshot. Maybe it depends on the operating system or the version of Adobe Acrobat: Which version and which operating system was used when it crashed?

 

[Pauls]

Acrobat Pro DC 2021.007.20095

[Wosven]

I was also able to open it in Acrobat pro on Windows, and modify the file, I didn't test with DC version.

[WhiteOwl2]

I currently tested the file with some online PDF validation tools:
1) https://www.pdf-online.com/osa/validate.aspx
2) https://www.pdfen.com/pdf-a-validator
Both tell me that the "validation was successful" and that is in PDF 1.4 format.
I also tried the service
3) https://tools.pdfforge.org/validate-pdfa
It tests whether the PDFfile conforms to the PDF/A standard. As it isn't a PDF/A document, the validation was not successful but I opened the document once again in Tracker PDF X-Change Pro and saved it as PDF/A. The new document was validated by 3) successful as PDF/A document. I attach the new PDF/A document. Maybe it helps others to open it without crash. I also tested it once again with Adobe Reader on Windows and it did not crash. It showed the same as the provided screenshot.

Affinity Publisher Issue with PDF Import of a Bitmap Graphic PDF-A.pdf

[Pauls]

I've logged this to be investigated