Designer layers not being exported from Publisher

[stevepc]

Hi

Can someone help me a glitch I am experiencing with Publisher/Designer 2.5.7 on Windows 10.

I insert Designer files into Publisher and use Designer layers (in Publisher) to control what is displayed on any given Publisher page. This is particularly useful as I use a lot of build-ups, where elements of the illustration are cumulatively revealed across several pages. I have successfully done this with over 80+Designer files and not experienced significant problems.

But in one case, although it displays OK in Publisher, specific layers are not showing up in the exported PDF. They do show up if I export to a png or jpg file. I have attached a couple of images of before and after. I also have attached sample Designer and Publisher files.

If anyone can help why in this particular case some layers not being exported, I would very grateful.

 

 

PDF export.pdf Designer file.afdesign Publisher file.afpub

[GarryP]

I’m looking at the “PDF Export.pdf” file in Chrome and Acrobat Reader and I can’t see anything which is missing from the export – see attached image of the “PDF Export.pdf” file being viewed in Acrobat.

I opened the “Publisher file.afpub” document and exported it to PDF and I can’t see anything missing there either.

Are you sure that you are viewing the correct version of the exported document? Or am I not looking in the right place?

[stevepc]

Now that is intriguing. In my usual PDF reader (Sumatra PDF) the text is not there. But, because of GarryP’s helpful reply, I have just checked in Acrobat and the text is there! Now we could say that this is simply a Sumatra PDF problem, but my printing company also did not see the text. That is, the printed proofs came back without the text.

I have not had this problem with any other image.

Any ideas, anyone?

[MickRose]

There seems to be a lot of transparency going on so maybe use PDF/X-1a to flatten the PDF and then check in Sumatra. The way that printer RIPs handle transparency is not always predictable. Also, maybe change the text colour from RGB to CMYK.

[stevepc]

Thanks for the tip, MickRose. The transparency is all on a layer that is not relevant. I deleted that layer in the Designer file, and the issue still shows up. I also amended the space to CMYK, and still the same issue. However, when I used PDF/X-1a (instead of PDF/X-4) for the export from Publisher, the issue is resolved. 

Now why for this image I need PDF/X-1a when PDF/X-4 has been successful for several books and up to about 80+ images (all with the same settings as this image), remains to be identified. But at least, I now know where to look.

Thanks for the help.