Option to import PDF as flat image no Font Conversion

[Burn Witch Burn]

Hi, I would very much like an option (similar to Photoshop) where you have a choice to import a single, unchanged, flat image.   
I regularly receive PDFs from people which I need to prepare for print.

I have read other posts on this forum and answers come back that you should export a jpeg instead of PDF.  This is not the question.  I am not generating the PDFs.  I receive PDFs from clients - and sometimes though a third party - that I must quickly prepare for print.  So asking them to send a different file is either not possible, or not fast enough.  

The request is to have the import option within Photo for a flat image.  
Greetings from a former Photoshop user.  

[PaulEC]

Have you tried placing the PDF file using the Passthrough option?

[Burn Witch Burn]

5 hours ago, PaulEC said:

Have you tried placing the PDF file using the Passthrough option?

 

5 hours ago, N.P.M. said:

Either convert with something like xnviewmp or the like.
Or place the file in passthrough mode and perhaps rasterizing the layer.
 

Hi PaulEC and NPM, 

Thanks for the tips.  The passthrough blend mode won't help because the PDF is already altered upon import.  Flattening the result won't help because Affinity Photo automatically alters the image (even with all the options unchecked on the dialog box that appears upon import). 

I've included an attachment.  On the left is a preview of the original.  (this is from the mac browser - this is how I want it to look in AP).  On the right is the imported image.  You will notice that AP has changed the font in two places.  This is not what I want, and of course creates extra work, especially if I don't have the font on hand.  (The material I get is from bands with specific logos and fonts). 

It looks like I will have to use a third party program to flatten the image then import into AP.  

If anyone knows a way to import a PDF as a flat image, please advise.  ...or if I have misunderstood, let me know.  Unaltered flat PDF upon import is the goal.  

Thanks anyway for the answers.  Warm regards from Germany.  

 

[JosueVivas]

Hello, 

I've seen this before. I stopped falttening pdfs, it destroys the text. 

I insert PDFs that have embbeded fonts, and when Publisher flattens the pdf, I have the same results as you: the text is modified. I don't have the answer, but at least we are two.

[walt.farrell]

On 1/24/2023 at 11:39 AM, Burn Witch Burn said:

If anyone knows a way to import a PDF as a flat image, please advise.  ...or if I have misunderstood, let me know. 

I think you may have misunderstood the term Passthrough. That was not a reference to a Blend Mode (Layers panel), but to the Passthrough vs Interpret option in the Context Toolbar.

If you use Interpret when you Place a PDF into your document, you must have the fonts installed, as the PDF content is available for editing. If you do not have them, you see changes like you demonstrated.

If you use Passthrough, then essentially you have an accurate image of the PDF contents on your document page, and those contents are not editable. You do not need to have the fonts installed. If you then Export to PDF, the original vector contents of the Placed PDF contents should be included in the exported PDF.

[canderled]

Run into the same issue.
I can't believe there is no way to do this directly inside affinity.

I found a workaround, I open the pdf in sumatra pdf (but I'm sure it will work with every pdf reader) then print file to PDF. open this new pdf file into affinity. It will load as an image.