Publisher freeze when PDF print (broschure but also other models) document created by data merge

[gunnar.w]

When print as PDF (print dialog) to get a broschure print pdf publisher hangs and has to be force quit.

What I try to do:
- I try to print page 1-32 of a 388 page document - publisher hangs/freezes immediately when the dialog appears to name the pdf.
- I don't use a pdf printer, I use the PDF button within the print dialog.
- The document was produced by a data merge.
- It also freezes when attemt pdf-print with another "model" like the standard one.
- Sometimes, it produces a "Ohne Titel.pdf" (no title) pdf when clicking the pdf button as it then skips the naming dialog. (But then doesn't use page 1-32 and instead page 1-16 and 16 Pages from the end of the document ...)
- There are some warnings in the checklist, but only Text overflow in the master page the data merge had used (due to logish column titels in the data source) and some spelling warnings

- I can pdf print a broschure document out of a plain new file without using data merge.
- I can reproduce the error with every file I get out of the data merge (this one master file) AND by trying to pdf print the data merge master also.

- I have yet not tried to rebuild the whole master file

 

latest version: Affinity Publisher 2.0.4 / german localisation
MacOS: 13.3.1 (a) (22E772610a)

Hardware acceleration (metal) turned on/off makes no difference
External monitor is in used. Not tested without.

I have no prior experience with pdf printout of publisher.
As the file is client property, is there a not public way to provide the file for testing?

 

Thanks!

[Inspector Gadget]

Same here. And this happens with even as few as 4 pages. If I change to print current page it is ok but not with all pages. Very furstrating

[Hangman]

Hi @Inspector Gadget,

I believe your scenario is slightly different from @gunnar.w's in as much as he is creating a pdf using the print dialogue window (on Mac) rather than via the export dialogue so it's quite possible these are two different issues.

@gunnar.w, since your file is 'client property', one of the moderators will be able to provide a private Dropbox link so you can upload your file together with any linked graphics and fonts. They will then be able to test the file to try an ascertain what might be causing the issue...

@Inspector Gadget, is your particular file one you can upload to the forum so we can take a look at what might be happening for you?

[gunnar.w]

Hi @Hangman,

it may has something to do with Publisher accessing the disk or with the naming dialog.

As in the meantime I was able to circumvent the bug by investing ~20 bucks in the app "Create Booklet 2" (apple app store) and then was able to print the pdf directly to this app via Publishers Print menu/ pdf-Button dropdown menu. This app also provides some advanced interaction and more handles to influence the final output.

Ok, waiting for a moderator to take care for a dropbox link.

 

Thanks, Gunnar

[Hangman]

Hi @gunnar.w,

For clarification, are you attempting to save the pdf, which you are creating via the print dialogue window in Publisher, to your internal hard drive or to an external hard drive or cloud service?

I've just had a quick look at 'Create Booklet 2', it looks very impressive and I can see it being a very handy addition to Publisher...

I believe a Dropbox link should be provided shortly by one of the Serif team...

[mifamac]

Similar here, 

affects all Affinity apps. When I want to print, nothing happens for 2 seconds, then the wheel of death appears. I have installed iStat and can see that the process takes up gigabytes of memory within a few seconds and the resulting swap file paralyses my Macbook.

I only have this problem with the Affinity apps.

Its verry urgent, I need to print!!!!

macOS 13.3.1 (a)
Affinity Suite 2

[Inspector Gadget]

Yes this is exactly what’s happening. It’s very infuriating especially if you have quite a number of pages. The application hangs and sometimes have to reboot. I hope this is sorted as it defeats the purpose of a publishing software if you can’t export to a PDF which is one of the basic functions in any software.  I hope the developers read the posts in this forum. This has a negative impact on what is a great software program. 

[Dan C]

Hi gunnar.w,

Could you please save the document as a package and upload to this dropbox for us to test?

https://www.dropbox.com/request/sBlwiIpFB8UT6Icz829H

Lee

[gunnar.w]

Hi Lee,

Upload is done.
Sorry, took me a while to come back to the desk.

 

Answering questions:
There are external Disks present (mounted) but I work and try to save on the MacBook internal ssd.
There is also no time to choose anything until the wheel of death appears for Publisher. Shown is the folder where the .afpub resides.
The crash/freeze does to my experience not affect other programs or the operating system.

[Inspector Gadget]

Have seem to cured the problem.  When I created a new section in section manager, the box "show on export was not ticked" for each section.  Eg if there were 3 sections and only 2 were checked as show on export then only two pages would print.  By not creating section manger item it seems to have cured the freeze when exporting.  Cheers all and thanks for your input.