RGBA Image object with vector mask exported to PDF/X-1a resulting grey color only

[hunter_sk]

Problem description: Image with alpha (RGBA), clipped with vector mask and exported to PDF/X-1a format is displayed with grey color only.
Application: Designer 2.5.2
Platform: Windows 10
Reproducable: Yes, from the attached document
HW Acceleration: OFF, (ON = not supported)

Selected object on the left contain RGBA (with alpha channel - transparent background) image,
object on the right side contain RGB image, no alpha channel.

Both objects with vector mask applied

Layers situation with vector masks

Important PDF export settings:
Rasterize: Nothing
Downsample images: OFF
Allow JPEG compression: OFF
Compatibility: PDF/X-1a:2003

Exported PDF preview with error export on left side

Designer source file: bug-alpha-and-vector-masked-image-to-PDF.afdesign
Exported PDF: bug-alpha-and-vector-masked-image-to-PDF.pdf

[Hangman]

Hi @hunter_sk,

With PDF/X-1a files, all colour data must be grayscale, CMYK, or named spot colours. The file should not contain any RGB or LAB data and should not contain any transparency...

 

[Ezbaze]

Hi @hunter_sk,

 

I could be doing it wrong but in the v2.5.3, both left and right images export fine, could you try exporting in v2.5.3?

[hunter_sk]

1 hour ago, Hangman said:

Hi @hunter_sk,

With PDF/X-1a files, all colour data must be grayscale, CMYK, or named spot colours. The file should not contain any RGB or LAB data and should not contain any transparency...

 

Thank you for reply. I think the color space can be converted at export. But with the transparency, I was convinced that if Illustrator can export transparency to the X1-a format, that it can be done. But maybe they had it implemented wrong way. I'll do some investigation on PDF/X formats.

[hunter_sk]

22 minutes ago, Ezbaze said:

Hi @hunter_sk,

 

I could be doing it wrong but in the v2.5.3, both left and right images export fine, could you try exporting in v2.5.3?

 

Yes I can reproduce it also in 2.5.3. The export preview however shows no sign of error. But as it was mentioned by @Hangman, it looks it may be OK like that, and force you to use images without alpha channel for PDF/X1-a format. On some forums they suggest using PDF/X-4 format for the transparency.

[Hangman]

31 minutes ago, hunter_sk said:

Thank you for reply. I think the color space can be converted at export. But with the transparency, I was convinced that if Illustrator can export transparency to the X1-a format, that it can be done. But maybe they had it implemented wrong way. I'll do some investigation on PDF/X formats.

When exporting using PDF/X-1a colours will automatically be converted to CMYK and any transparency flattened which you will be able to see if you open the exported PDf back up in Designer for example...

PDF/X-4 supports RGB and LAB colours and provides support for transparency as well as spot colours and would be the recommended choice unless this is going to a print provider who still lives in the Stone Age and insists on PDF/X-1a files...