Object blend mode: Erase doesn't work with a placed PDF

[Blake_S]

In total I have 3 objects in the file:

• a placed PDF, in passthrough mode, the lowest object on the layers panel
• above it, a vector square which completely covers the PDF
• above that, a smaller square set to Blend:mode erase

Both squares are combined into a group. This creates a negative mask, punchin out the shape of a smaller square from the bigger one, leaving a frame through which you can see the PDF underneath.

Here is a problem - on Export as PDF, the Erase blend mode doesn't work, and the frame now only show the white square, you cannot see the initially placed PDF file at all.

This problem seems to be specific to a placed PDF - if I create any vector objects myself, they are exported correctly and can be seen inside the frame.

[Old Bruce]

Just forget about two squares and blend mode, make the little one and clip the PDF using that little square.

Or... use Interpret instead of Passthrough for the placed PDF. This will result in an Image in the exported file, making it larger.

[Blake_S]

8 minutes ago, Old Bruce said:

use Interpret instead of Passthrough for the placed PDF

that's not possible, this mode will replace any fonts which are not locally installed and generally resulted in other weird interactions, distorting the PDF look.

The problem with using a regular mask is that I can't use it as a master page element, since it needs to be applied to each placed PDF, while with a negative mask frame I can.

 

[Old Bruce]

4 minutes ago, Blake_S said:

that's not possible, this mode will replace any fonts which are not locally installed and generally resulted in other weird interactions, distorting the PDF look.

Use the first method, clip using only the small square.