3 Replies Latest reply: Mar 23, 2007 10:36 AM by Newsgroup_User RSS

    Export to PDF Error

    Mustang151
      My FHMX has suddenly developed an aversion to exporting to PDF! The problem seems to just be restricted to large-dimension documents - though I can't say that I recall having this problem in the past. I have a 48x36" document, and when exporting get the following error message "An error occured while exporting a PDF. The PDF file may not be valid." Sure enough, it won't open in Reader. I did some research an noticed a limitation on the dimensions of a document that FHMX can export, so I changed the dimensions of my document to be less than 45". This has not resolved the problem. As noted earlier, I know that I was able to export the original, larger document in the past... so I am unsure of why this error is cropping up now.

      Any suggestions for a work around? Do the PDF export settings need to be configured a very specific way? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
        • 1. Re: Export to PDF Error
          Newsgroup_User Community Member
          Mustang151 schreef:
          > My FHMX has suddenly developed an aversion to exporting to PDF! The problem
          > seems to just be restricted to large-dimension documents - though I can't say
          > that I recall having this problem in the past. I have a 48x36" document, and
          > when exporting get the following error message "An error occured while
          > exporting a PDF. The PDF file may not be valid." Sure enough, it won't open in
          > Reader. I did some research an noticed a limitation on the dimensions of a
          > document that FHMX can export, so I changed the dimensions of my document to be
          > less than 45". This has not resolved the problem. As noted earlier, I know that
          > I was able to export the original, larger document in the past... so I am
          > unsure of why this error is cropping up now.
          >
          > Any suggestions for a work around? Do the PDF export settings need to be
          > configured a very specific way? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
          > Thanks!
          >
          Export as eps and work with the distiller works.
          • 2. Re: Export to PDF Error
            Mustang151 Community Member
            Alas, I have exported to EPS, can see the preview fine, but when I go to open it in Photoshop or otherwise it comes up all black! Being that we're a non-profit organization, our software isn't as current or the suites as complete as I'd like to get the job done properly... so what I have to work with is the Macromedia MX suite, and the Photoshop6/AI suite... on a PC.

            Further suggestions?!

            Thanks, I'll give the EPS another whirl!

            K.
            • 3. Re: Export to PDF Error
              Newsgroup_User Community Member
              Mustang151 wrote:

              > .. so what I have to work
              > with is the Macromedia MX suite, and the Photoshop6/AI suite... on a PC.

              Read through this technote:
              http://www.adobe.com/go/tn_13496

              ---quote---
              When exporting PDF files from FreeHand, users should be aware that:

              - Alpha channel transparency will be lost.
              - Placed EPS, PICT and DCS files will not be exported.
              - Custom, textured and PostScript fills and strokes are not supported.
              - PostScript-generated screens (halftone, line, etc.) applied to bitmap
              graphics will be ignored.
              - The PDF format is limited to a maximum page size of roughly 45 inches by
              45 inches. PDF will ignore anything outside of this boundary, cropping
              whatever is taller or wider than 45 inches.
              - All text effects will be ignored, except inline graphics.
              - All overprinting effects will be ignored.
              ---

              Given the limitations of the software you have, here are a few things you
              could try.

              1. In case the dimensions of the PDF are the problem, you could try reducing
              the entire page plus artwork by 50% and then export as PDF. Instruct anyone
              printing it to enlarge the print output 200%.

              2. Take the FH file into Illustrator and create the PDF from there.
              Generally Illustrator does a better job of opening FH files than FH does of
              exporting to Illustrator. From FH, export back to a FH version that AI can
              open. (Check your AI documentation for the versions of FH that it can open.)
              Then open the early-version FH file in Illustrator and see if Illustrator's
              PDF options will create a PDF that works.

              3. If that doesn't work, from FH, export the FH document to a version of
              Illustrator at or below the version you have. Open in Illustrator and see if
              the PDF options will create a PDF that works.

              Judy Arndt