pdf export publisher v2 all rastered on macos

[BartonFink]

Something strange happened when exporting PDF files in Publisher v2. I don't know if anyone else is having this problem. I am working on macos Ventura with a 2019 Mac Pro.

When I use live filters in Publisher (including Photo Persona filters) and want to export as PDF, everything, including included vector files is rasterized to 300 dpi, even though the settings say nothing is rasterized. Also Affinity Designer vector files are rasterized. See screenshots. I have also posted a screenshot of the settings. This is very annoying.

If I turn off the FIlter, it seems to work somewhat and the vector graphics stay in the pdf. But that's not the point of not being able to use filters to get a flawless pdf.

This actually makes Publisher v2 unusable for professional users in my opinion. It is a great pity that such a bad bug seems not to be noticed or noticed at all. It annoys me a lot.

Can anyone help me with this? Am I making a mistake there? I suspect this is a really bad bug that I hope will be fixed as soon as possible.

Translated with DeepL

[Hangman]

Hi @BartonFink,

If you ensure that your Live Filters are nested in the Layer they are applied to rather than sitting above the layer, then the vector elements should remain as vector elements when your file is exported to pdf.

There is a bug when using unnested Live Filters and Layer Adjustments which is causing

• Vector elements to be rasterised where they shouldn't be
• Bleed failure on export

Try that and if it makes no difference then could you upload a screenshot of your Layers panel clearly showing the Live Layer Effects you've applied?

[BartonFink]

Hi @Hangman,

thank you very much for the answer. I have checked. The live filter is nested in a group where it should be if I understand you correctly. Attached is an overview of the layers panel. It's actually nothing complicated. It actually affects bleed as well. This is not shown when generating the pdfs either.

[BartonFink]

I tried to disable all effects and there is another strange thing. Some vectorgraphics will appear but other not. See attachement of the generated pdf and the layers panel. Very strange thing.

[Hangman]

Hi @BartonFink,

Try the following...

Select the eight white Ellipses (that have no FX applied) currently sitting beneath the Depth of Field Live Filter and in Publisher go to Layer > Geometry > Merge Curves and then Nest the Depth of Field Live Filter to the Merged Ellipses Layer...

Having the Depth of Field Live Filter sitting unnested above the Ellipses is what is causing the exported pdf to rasterise the vector layers and is basically the current bug.

If that doesn't work are you able to upload your Publisher document or even just the page shown in your screenshot so we can take a look?

 

 

[BartonFink]

Hi Hangman,

unfortunately nothing works. Same problem. Attached the file with elipse layers merged.

Thank you for your help.

test.zip

[Hangman]

Hi @BartonFink,

So, in addition to the original unnested Depth of Field Live Filter which you've now 'fixed', it turns out to be the connecting lines pixel layer (the third layer from the top just below the red ellipse) causing the problem. Any part of the pixel layer that overlaps the vector layers causes the underlying vector graphics to become rasterised on export because PDF/X-3:2003 by default flattens the transparent pixel layer by rasterising it which then affects the vector layers beneath it.

Exporting to PDF/X-4 and above doesn't exhibit the problem, so if PDF/X-3:2003 is the required format then the solution is to nest that particular pixel layer inside the photo layer at the bottom of the layer stack so it sits just above the photo of the girl then everything exports correctly.

Let me know if that works for you.

 

[BartonFink]

Hi Hangman,

thank you very much for your efforts. I tried it and it works. I tried it with another document without pixel layer and it works too. The export will be correct. But the way I can merge the vector layer is almost impossible for me for future work. If a client requests changes, such as wanting the white circles to be larger, I can no longer change them quickly and correctly. Hopefully this will be fixed soon. Unfortunately, I can't work with Publisher this way. If I create 5 ads and have to check each time if the PDF is correct, it takes a lot of time away from me.
Nevertheless, thank you very again for finding the problem.

[Hangman]

Hi @BartonFink,

Of course, the non-nested Live Filter and Layer Adjustment bug is indeed frustrating when it comes to exporting pdf files and yes, hopefully, we will see a fix in an upcoming release that fixes the problem.

With regards to a scenario where you perhaps need to make the white circles larger, you do still have the option to unmerge them via Layer > Geometry > Separate Curves, so the process is at least non-destructive, though I appreciate it's far from ideal.

[BartonFink]

Thank you very much for that hint. As you said it's far from ideal but if it's non-destructive this helps much.

But I just don't understand how such a gross error could go undetected. Hasn't anyone from Serif exported a print pdf yet? Hopefully Serif has a quick solution.

[Hangman]

The issue is logged as a bug but it's still on the backlog to be fixed...

[BartonFink]

Thank you very much for that information! 
Despite everything. I like the whole Affinity Suite. Also because the company listens to its users.