PDF File conversion problems w/ transparency filled boxes in Publi

[Austin]

Periodically, I like to use text boxes positioned over a photo in which I
insert photo caption information. I would like to make the fill in the text
box TRANSPARENT rather than solid. When I do this, it looks just fine in the
Publisher file, but when I convert it to a PDF file (with Adobe Acrobat), I
lose the transparency--it comes out as a box with grid/plaid-like shading in
it. The same thing happens with the shading that is inherent in Word
Art--when converted to PDF, the shading is comprised of GRID lines rather
than an even transparent shadow. Is there a problem between coding in
Publisher and Adobe Acrobat? By the way I use Publisher 2003.

 

[Matt Beals]

The problem is with how Publisher uses transparency (Windows GDI) and
the fact that transparency does not exist in PostScript. When you
convert with Acrobat (PDF plug-in menu) Acrobat "prints" the Publisher
file to to the Adobe PDF printer. So in doing so Publisher has to some
how flatten the transparency. And do to do that Publisher has to let
Windows GDI do that. Because all printing and many/most drawing
functions Publisher, and Office programs, rely solely on Windows GDI.
Solutions? Get Publisher 2007 trial and test it. Get Adobe InDesign and
do it there. Or just don't use transparency. None of which are
necessarily practical for a litany of reasons depending on your situation.

Matt Beals
Consultant
Enfocus Certified Trainer
Markzware Recognized Trainer
(425) 582-8554 - Office
(206) 201-2320 - Voicemail
(206) 618-2537 - Mobile
mailto:[email protected]

Come visit me at:
http://www.automatetheworkflow.com
http://www.mattbeals.com
http://blog.mattbeals.com

Friends don't let friends write HTML email

 

[Mary Sauer]

If you create a rectangle the size of your text box, fill with your preferred
transparency, no line, right-click, save as a picture, use the .png extension.
Insert the picture back into your publication. This usually works.

Publisher has problems with transparency.

 

[Jim Cook]

Periodically, I like to use text boxes positioned over a photo in which I
insert photo caption information. I would like to make the fill in the text
box TRANSPARENT rather than solid. When I do this, it looks just fine in the
Publisher file, but when I convert it to a PDF file (with Adobe Acrobat), I
lose the transparency--it comes out as a box with grid/plaid-like shading in
it. The same thing happens with the shading that is inherent in Word
Art--when converted to PDF, the shading is comprised of GRID lines rather
than an even transparent shadow. Is there a problem between coding in
Publisher and Adobe Acrobat? By the way I use Publisher 2003.

I use Pub2003 and CutePDF to produce PDF output without any problems.

 

[Austin]

Thanks, Matt, for getting back to me on both of my questions. Not sure what
GDI stands for but the gist of your answer is that I don't have a quick fix
available to me. To get around the transparency issue I've been taking the
item into Microsoft Digital Pro 10 and then reinserting into Publisher--was
hoping that there was an easier way around it. I wish that Publisher did
fixes to known problems rather than making users upgrade to another software
level. I'll have to do a trial of the 2007software in December during my
"month off" from my dog breed newsletter. Thanks again.

 

[Matt Beals]

Graphics Device Interface. It's the way Microsoft creates objects on the
page that look that same as a monitor, projector, printer, etc. They use
it as an interconnect so that all programs can print and display the
exact same thing. When you dumb it down like that you end up with all
sorts of problems; "Lowest Common Denominator". It's not a bad system,
it's just not very well suited for more "modern" printing requirements.
For what most people use it for, it works just fine.

Matt Beals
Consultant
Enfocus Certified Trainer
Markzware Recognized Trainer
(425) 582-8554 - Office
(206) 201-2320 - Voicemail
(206) 618-2537 - Mobile
mailto:[email protected]

Come visit me at:
http://www.automatetheworkflow.com
http://www.mattbeals.com
http://blog.mattbeals.com

Friends don't let friends write HTML email

 

[Austin]

Thanks, Mary--sorry to say that this time it didn't work! I tried it with
every type of pic file extension--all of them appeared solid when converted
to PDF. I even tried going directly into Digital Pro, created a rectangular
shape and filled it with transparent gray and saved it as a PNG and then as a
JPG--both looked transparent when imported as pictures into my Publisher
file, but when I converted to PDF, they reverted to solid rectangles.

 

[Austin]

Good explanation! Thank you--I'm obviously not a technical user and I
appreciate your taking the time to explain that term to me. Sue

 

[Mr. Analogy]

Austin,

I'm doing exactly that and the PDF and paper printout looks fine.

When you say "make the text box background transparent" do you mean "no
fill" and no border ? (That's what I'm doing).

I've done this in Publisher 2003 and 2007.
My document is in CMYK color format and I print to the free (and very good)
PrimoPDF printer driver, which support CMYK composite printing.

 

[Austin]

Austin,

I'm doing exactly that and the PDF and paper printout looks fine.

When you say "make the text box background transparent" do you mean "no
fill" and no border ? (That's what I'm doing).

I've done this in Publisher 2003 and 2007.
My document is in CMYK color format and I print to the free (and very good)
PrimoPDF printer driver, which support CMYK composite printing.

Hi Mr. Analogy! I'm not talking about a totally clear/no-fill text box--but a transparent background in the text box as opposed to solid or "no-fill." For example, let's say I published an 8" wide photo on the cover of my newsletter, and down the left hand side of the picture, I wanted to print a table of contents. There are times when I want to see a very pale version of the left hand side of the photo visible under the table of contents so that the text is easy to read, but it's not just a solid box plunked on top of the photo. When I use Publisher 2003's transparency function in the text box fill, it looks perfect--just what I want. But, when I convert to PDF (I use Adobe Acrobat), the transparency returns to a solid fill.