ISSUE Vector Elements Rasterizing

[DavidAntagon]

Hi everyone,

At first, I thought this issue was related to PDF export settings, but after some testing, I believe it might actually be a software bug.

I've attached my InDesign file, which I exported using various PDF settings, but the result remains the same.

In the file, you'll notice two instances of the same logo:

• The top logo is an embedded vector file placed directly in the document.
• The bottom logo is the same file, but instead of embedding it, I pasted it from another tab within the same document.

Inside the InDesign file, both logos retain their vector properties. However, once exported to PDF:

• The embedded logo keeps its vector properties, and the FX is applied as a separate layer (similar to how Adobe Illustrator handles effects).
• The pasted logo (from another tab) gets completely rasterized.

The problem is that when you embed an SVG, you need to edit it in a separate tab, which helps maintain object cohesion when using it multiple times. However, if you want more direct control over the elements and prefer to integrate them visually within your layout, pasting from another tab is the more practical approach. Unfortunately, this is the method that leads to rasterization.

Potential Workaround

- One possible solution is to only embed vector elements once the design is finalized. However, in my opinion, pasted elements shouldn’t lose their properties upon export, especially when rasterization isn’t enabled in the export settings.

- Using an "invisible Rectangle" to apply the FX instead of the Group – A helpful workaround suggested by another user is to place the effects on an invisible vector Rectangle (a shape with no fill and no stroke) that contains the elements, instead of applying the FX directly to the Group. This seems to prevent rasterization and keeps the vector properties intact.

Seeking Help

Has anyone encountered this issue before? If you have other alternative solutions, I’d love to hear them. Additionally, if someone knows how to properly report this to the development team, that would be really helpful. This seems like a bug that might have been overlooked, and it would be great if it could be fixed.

In my case, since I work with many outdoor media formats—billboards, MUPIs, etc.—I've encountered several issues with some designs. Text, shapes, and other vector elements have been pixelated, which, as you can imagine, ruins all the work done. I've managed to resolve it using the previously mentioned workarounds, but I believe it shouldn't have to be such a cumbersome process, which is why I think this is a bug. Because there is no reason for it to rasterize in these cases.

Thanks in advance!

 

Try to export to PDF.afdesign

[GarryP]

14 hours ago, DavidAntagon said:

I've attached my InDesign file

You attached a PDF rather than an InDesign file.

If you have an Effect (FX) which is applied to a layer (for any reason) then that layer will often (but not always, depending on which Effect) require rasterisation when exported to any file type.

If you can share an Affinity document, and give your preferred export settings, then someone might be able to examine it and hopefully help further.

Edited February 22 by GarryP
Added clarification.

[lepr]

2 hours ago, GarryP said:

If you have an Effect (FX) which is applied to a layer (for any reason) then that layer will require rasterisation when exported to any file type.

Certainly not universally true. Rasterisation of vector objects can be avoided in the cases of FX Outer Shadow and FX Outer Glow. 

[GarryP]

42 minutes ago, lepr said:

Rasterisation of vector objects can be avoided in the cases of FX Outer Shadow and FX Outer Glow.

Thanks. Previous post has been edited as appropriate.

[DavidAntagon]

4 hours ago, GarryP said:

You attached a PDF rather than an InDesign file.

If you have an Effect (FX) which is applied to a layer (for any reason) then that layer will often (but not always, depending on which Effect) require rasterisation when exported to any file type.

If you can share an Affinity document, and give your preferred export settings, then someone might be able to examine it and hopefully help further.

Sorry GarryP, I made a mistake when uploading the document, the afdesign is already there.

[DavidAntagon]

1 hour ago, lepr said:

Certainly not universally true. Rasterisation of vector objects can be avoided in the cases of FX Outer Shadow and FX Outer Glow. 

Thanks for clarifying it, Lerp has been one of those who found an alternative solution, of the two that I have exposed, but definitely, we agree that this is a bug that should be corrected, since it should not happen like that.

[GarryP]

Thanks for sharing the AFDESIGN document.

The layer “SVG pasted” has a Blend Mode of Passthrough.

Can you change it to Normal and try again?