TIFF file with alpha channel mask does not convert well to PDF

[dominic.martin]

Hi,

I have the following problem and wondered if anyone else has come
across it. Software involved is Publisher 2003, PSP 9, Trial of Acrobat
Professional 7.0 and DeskPDF. (PDF settings use Postscript Level 3.)

I have a simple graphic of an arrow. I created a mask for the arrow in
PSP. The mask blanks out everything but the shape of the arrow and puts
a fade on the tail end of the arrow so that it just melts away. This
mask was saved to an alpha channel and the resultant file saved as a
TIF and PNG.

When both copies of the file are inserted into Publisher, everything is
as it should be. The arrow shape sits on the foreground and the tail
fades into the background. When I go to produce the PDF through the
print option, both Acrobat and DeskPDF produce a file where the fade
portion of the arrow is chopped off suddenly. The rest of the mask
works; there's no white background to the arrow shape. It's just that
the fade is brought to a sudden halt and not let to gradually blend in
with the background.

One interesting thing to note is that Acrobat 7.0 now puts a toolbar in
every Office application that allows you to do a one click conversion
to PDF. This process appears to be different to the Print option. Under
this conversion method the PNG graphic appears in the PDF as it appears
in Publisher with a lovely blend into the background.

I'd appreciate your comments.

Regards,

Dominic

 

[Mike Koewler]

One interesting thing to note is that Acrobat 7.0 now puts a toolbar in
every Office application that allows you to do a one click conversion
to PDF. This process appears to be different to the Print option. Under
this conversion method the PNG graphic appears in the PDF as it appears
in Publisher with a lovely blend into the background.

I'd appreciate your comments.

Uh, use this option????

Mike

 

[dominic.martin]

In the short term I could use this option. However, I may or may not
purchase Acrobat 7.0. I want to get to the bottom of why this happens.
What does Acrobat do differently between its toolbar button and its
print option because one works and the other doesn't. Then I might be
able to find a workaround so that some of the other PDF creators will
work the same way.

Dominic