Gradient export to PDF (split)

[DPNR]

So, I was trying to export a document into pdf on AD 1.6, but the gradients weren't exporting correctly. Then I read about this beta release with pdf improvements and tried it, but it keeps not exporting the gradients correctly. It's a document for printing and the lab requires an editable pdf. Is this a priority? Is there a work around?

Please, don't break my heart Affinity, I've been a champion for you but this is a deal breaker :'(

Thanks for any help!

[MattP]

8 hours ago, DPNR said:

So, I was trying to export a document into pdf on AD 1.6, but the gradients weren't exporting correctly. Then I read about this beta release with pdf improvements and tried it, but it keeps not exporting the gradients correctly. It's a document for printing and the lab requires an editable pdf. Is this a priority? Is there a work around?

Please, don't break my heart Affinity, I've been a champion for you but this is a deal breaker :'(

Thanks for any help!

If you can provide us with an example file and the output you'd expect to see, then we have much more chance of fixing the issue Thank you!

Matt

[DPNR]

Ok, this is what I've tried!

The original affinity file, exporting to pdf in AD 1.6, exporting to pdf in AD Beta 1.7, and exporting to eps.

I hope I'm doing something wrong!

Thanks for your help!

 

PS.: Sorry, is there a way to send the files without making them public?

[Sean P]

Hi DPNR,

Would you be able to upload your original Affinity file to the link below along with any supporting PDF exports you've done (and what your export settings were):

https://www.dropbox.com/request/UY71tQvSJCIwvl3OZGh0

The link is for our internal Dropbox account so it will be private. I should add that EPS has no actual support for gradients so you'll want to avoid exporting to that format!

[DPNR]

Hi Sean,

Thank you. I just uploaded the files.

[Sean P]

Hi DPNR,

Thanks for the files. Looking at your document there are some features you are using that are not directly supported by PDF. Here is what I can tell by looking at the 1.6 PDF

1. On the bottom left robes, the creases have been done using Filter Effects. Unfortunately these are not supported by PDF so will either get rasterised, or ignored on export depending on your settings.
2. The top left robes, use a vector brush stroke with a raster brush texture to create the pattern. Again these are not directly supported (and obviously won't be true vector).
3. You've used a Conical Gradient a couple of times, which isn't supported in PDF, so defaults to a Radial gradient
4. The piece to the left of the head has also been done using Filter Effects so will not export as expected.

So unfortunately because of PDF restrictions there isn't much that can be improved.

That said however, as the print (I presume) is going to be quite small judging by the document size, you can get the export to rasterise the unsupported features. and as long as you set a large enough DPI, the quality should be absolutely fine for print. 
 

I took your document and exported it using the following settings gave a pretty usable PDF that should print ok (but obviously check that with your printer). You'll want to be sure to set Use DPI and use a large number, because the small size of the document means the rasterised areas won't look great at 300dpi!