Layers that use "passthrough" mode are fuzzy when exported as PDF X-4

[Buzzlet75]

It seems as though any layer that has "passthrough" as it's mode, will export fuzzy and pixelated. I have chosen to export as PDF X-4 with the "allow advanced features" setting checked. I have found that if I change the layer mode to "normal" and export again, the issue goes away. Why is this? and furthermore Why is "Passthrough" mode a default that Affinity Publisher assigns to grouped layers if an FX is used on one of the layers? My question is, do I have to manually change each layer mode to "normal" so that the PDF will be crisp and clear or is there a quicker solution? I am using Affinity Publisher and using Adobe Acrobat to view my PDFs. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[stokerg]

Hi @Buzzlet75,

Could you attach your afdesign or afpub file?  We do have an issue logged like you describe, but it would be good to be able to confirm that it is the same issue.  If you'd rather not attach the file here, you can upload it to our Dropbox here.

[Buzzlet75]

I've uploaded four files to the drop box. The reason is that there is no discernible difference when choosing passthrough or normal in the layer mode within Affinity Publisher itself, it's only when you export the files do you see the compromised image quality. This can be seen in particular with the item labeled Hype Meter. When exporting from Affinity Publisher where the layer mode selected was passthrough (which Affinity seems to default to when grouping where an FX is used on one of the layers), the image quality in the pdf is blurry. When exporting from Affinity Publisher where layer modes all have been manually changed to normal a crisp PDF was achieved.