Pixelated JPG after PDF export

[Pascale]

Hi. Once exported to PDF, the image (JPG origin) has a pixelated preview. Should I import it into the layout in eps format like in Indesign? What should I do please. Thank you in advance for your feedback.

[Lee D]

@Pascale Could you provide screenshots of your file open in our app, with the image selected and the Resource Manager displayed. Perhaps a screenshot of the PDF open as well?

When exporting to PDF, which preset are you selecting and are you adjusting any of the options?

[Old Bruce]

10 hours ago, Pascale said:

Hi. Once exported to PDF, the image (JPG origin) has a pixelated preview. Should I import it into the layout in eps format like in Indesign? What should I do please. Thank you in advance for your feedback.

If the original is a JPEG then you will be starting with Pixels, not Vectors. Exporting to PDF won't make the Pixels into Vectors. Going the other way is easy, Vectors to Pixels. Just choose a Pixel format like TIFF, PNG, GIF, or JPEG for your export.

[thomaso]

11 hours ago, Pascale said:

Once exported to PDF, the image (JPG origin) has a pixelated preview

Do you mean "preview" in particular – or the exported image size / resolution? In case of the latter, make sure the export resolution is set sufficiently for the wanted image details.

[Pascale]

Thank you very much for your reply.
@Lee D: The PDF settings are normal, I didn't change the specifics
@Old Bruce: That's true and logical. However, I had already worked on another medium with JPG images, I just had to integrate good resolutions and when printed, the result was completely correct
@thomaso: the output size is correct, with 300 dpi.
For your information, I noticed in the image insertions that not all of them were in JPG. Only one was in PDF. So i then transformed the source JPGs into PDFs and then reinserted them into the layout. Result, the rendering is more than correct. I don't know why this works but it does. Another thing I'm trying to resolve. It is a vectorized image that appears pixelated when I lower its opacity percentage (25%) once saved as a PDF. I did yet another test, when it was 100% then saved as PDF, it was perfect! If you have any ideas to help me solve this, I'm interested...

[thomaso]

28 minutes ago, Pascale said:

the output size is correct, with 300 dpi.

The DPI-resolution may be correct while the number of pixels may be insufficient to display all image details as expected.

31 minutes ago, Pascale said:

It is a vectorized image that appears pixelated when I lower its opacity percentage (25%) once saved as a PDF. I did yet another test, when it was 100% then saved as PDF, it was perfect!

Do you mean the PDF file contains vector only – or do you mean a pixel image of that content saved as PDF, then placed in Affinity with reduced opacity?

Can you show screenshot of your setup with Layers panel + an affected layer selected + Zoom level 100% + Ruler set to pixels. For instance:

Note in this example the resources are placed at 200 dpi only but do not display pixelation if set to 25% opacity, neither in Affinity nor in an exported PDF. – Thus it also would be useful if you upload your affected PDF for a closer look.

pdf image opacity.pdf

[Pascale]

Hi @thomaso ,

Thank you for your feedback and all your explanations.
My source file is indeed a vectorized file (see attachment "vecto.jpg").
Then, with the screen copies (PDF rendering), I attest to my previous email:
- the attachment "300%" is the same file vectorized with opacity at 25%
- and the one in the last attachment "300% net" is still the same file vectorized with 100% opacity.
At your listen. Thanks.

[thomaso]

3 hours ago, Pascale said:

- the attachment "300%" is the same file vectorized with opacity at 25%

• What method did you use to "lower its opacity percentage"?
• What blend mode is set for the vector object?
• What export settings were used for this PDF?
• What PDF viewer are you using?
• What if you open or place this exported PDF in Affinity?
• Can you show a screenshot of your Affinity layout with Layers panel + possibly collapsed layers unfolded + this object selected + together with the exported PDF placed aside the initial object for comparison (left/right)?