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candy_92
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Blurry images when PDF is exported

Apr 15, 2012 10:45 PM

Tags: #problem #help #flash #mac #indesign #images #blurry

I'm making a style guide and my images were drawn in Flash CS5.
When I export them to png they're 72 dpi and when I import them into InDesign, the images are fine and clear until I export it as a PDF.

I have other images that were collected from the internet and they're fine and also the images I scanned in are fine and clear as well.

 

The pdf is only for screen use.

 

How do I fix this?

(I'm using a Mac btw)
Thanks.

4702 Views   16 Replies   Latest reply: candy_92, Apr 17, 2012 10:28 PM
 
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  • Peter Spier
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    1. Peter Spier,
    Apr 16, 2012 1:22 AM   in reply to candy_92
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    Blurry images in the PDF oftern indicate that the link was out of date or missing.

     
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  • candy_92
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    2. candy_92,
    Apr 16, 2012 1:29 AM   in reply to Peter Spier
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    I thought so too, but they're all linked properly, none's missing or out of date.

     

    And this is the first time it has happened to me, so I'm kinda dumbfounded.

     
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  • Peter Spier
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    3. Peter Spier,
    Apr 16, 2012 1:33 AM   in reply to candy_92
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    PNG can also be adversely affected by jpeg compression. Try exporting with no compression, or zip compression.

     
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  • candy_92
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    4. candy_92,
    Apr 16, 2012 1:40 AM   in reply to Peter Spier
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    Do you mean when I export it, change the compression settings of the images to "do not downsample"?
    If so, I've tried that and it still doesn't make the images clear.

     

    I've also tried exporting the images from flash as .gif and .jpeg

     
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  • Peter Spier
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    5. Peter Spier,
    Apr 16, 2012 1:54 AM   in reply to candy_92
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    I mean during export that you change the compression method. It's pretty unlikley that your .pngs are being downsampled, but the compression settings are separate and apply whether there is downsampling or not.

     
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  • candy_92
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    6. candy_92,
    Apr 16, 2012 2:10 AM   in reply to Peter Spier
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    Still not clear

     
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  • Peter Spier
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    7. Peter Spier,
    Apr 16, 2012 2:22 AM   in reply to candy_92
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    What version of ID are you using? Are you exporting to PDF (Print), in which case the compression settings are in a dropdown under the downsample fields, or are you exporting to PDF (Interactive), in which case it seems you have no option for anything other than jpeg compression?

     
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  • candy_92
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    8. candy_92,
    Apr 16, 2012 2:35 AM   in reply to Peter Spier
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    I'm using ID CS5, exporting it as Print (press quality),  all bicubic downsampling 300 for images above 450, compression: no.
    And it's still blurry.

     
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  • Peter Spier
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    9. Peter Spier,
    Apr 16, 2012 2:39 AM   in reply to candy_92
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    I'm out of ideas. maybe someone who has used a similar workflow has some thoughts.

     
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  • candy_92
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    10. candy_92,
    Apr 16, 2012 5:53 PM   in reply to candy_92
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    Okay, thanks though.

     

    Does anyone else have any ideas on how to fix this?

     
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  • MikeWenzloff
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    11. MikeWenzloff,
    Apr 16, 2012 6:42 PM   in reply to candy_92
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    A sample pub would be nice. Linked images so they can be looked at as well. Zip the sample, put up on yousendit.com or dropbox.com and post a link.

     

    Take care, Mike

     
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  • candy_92
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    12. candy_92,
    Apr 16, 2012 7:18 PM   in reply to MikeWenzloff
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    https://rapidshare.com/files/971179670/SBS_files.zip

     

    I've only included a page so that the file would be smaller.
    There's the ID 5/IDML + PDF + image.

     

    Thanks.

     
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  • Peter Spier
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    13. Peter Spier,
    Apr 16, 2012 11:41 PM   in reply to candy_92
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    I think your expectations are too high. Your 72 ppi image has jagged edges, and they show. That's the way it is with 72ppi images.

     

    I would make one recommendation, though, as far as changing settings. Use the High Quality Print preset rather than Press Quality as the basis for your export (compression seems to make no difference in image quality, but I'd change the methos to Zip for this to keep the file size down and not alter the image quality at all). Press Quality converts your color to CMYK, HQP leaves it unchanged and it looks a bit better.

     
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  • MikeWenzloff
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    14. MikeWenzloff,
    Apr 17, 2012 7:35 AM   in reply to candy_92
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    And you will get a better on-screen representation if you do not alter the graphic's aspect. You've stretched the image to fit the space. The screen shot is your PDF and mine. The left one is mine, the right bear is yours. Both are inside Acrobat and displaying at 100%.

     

    bear_shit.png

    Take care, Mike

     
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  • candy_92
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    15. candy_92,
    Apr 17, 2012 10:24 PM   in reply to MikeWenzloff
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    Oh, I didn't strectch it though, I only changed the frame so that it looked more neat.
    I'm still trying to figure this out, but thanks!

     
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  • candy_92
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    16. candy_92,
    Apr 17, 2012 10:28 PM   in reply to Peter Spier
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    So I tried changing it to a higher dpi when I exported it from Flash. It looks a bit jagged when it's at 100%, but it's better than the 72dpi in full scren.
    Thanks for your help!

     
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