10 Replies Latest reply: Oct 24, 2013 3:58 PM by shawninvancouver

CS6 - Hires Bitmap images are pixelated in PDF output

shawninvancouver Oct 23, 2013 5:57 PM

Hello all,

I am creating Frames and using the Placing high resolution bitmaps into these frames (e.g. 1000 pixel wide .png) and then using the Object/Fitting/Fit Object Proportionally function. I am using the highest resolution practical to ensure good quality when the PDF document is zoomed in.

Unfortunately, what I am observing is that the images only look okay at 100%. Zooming in just displayed a pixilated image.

I have checked for PDF downsampling so that isn't the issue. Any ideas?

Thank you

1. Re: CS6 - Hires Bitmap images are pixelated in PDF output

Steve Werner Oct 23, 2013 6:04 PM (in response to shawninvancouver)

Choose View > Display Performance > High Quality Display.

If that doesn't fix it, open the Info panel (Window > Info) and view the effective resolution (scaled resolution) of the image.
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2. Re: CS6 - Hires Bitmap images are pixelated in PDF output

shawninvancouver Oct 23, 2013 6:58 PM (in response to Steve Werner)

Thank you Steve but perhaps I wasn't clear about my issue. I am not referring to the visual appearance in the InDesign editor, it is the PDF output that is a problem.
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3. Re: CS6 - Hires Bitmap images are pixelated in PDF output

Michael Witherell Oct 23, 2013 7:17 PM (in response to shawninvancouver)

In the Export to PDF dialog box, under the section called Compression, you will notice that it embeds JPGs into the PDF at a set resolution (like 300 ppi). Therefore, if you zoom in too far on the PDF, the rez will seem to fail you.

No matter how high resolution the placed image was, it is going to be downsampled to the finished PDF. If you expect to zoom in a lot; maybe you could set the graphics to a higher resolution?
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4. Re: CS6 - Hires Bitmap images are pixelated in PDF output

shawninvancouver Oct 24, 2013 2:50 PM (in response to Michael Witherell)

Thank you Michael, you set me on the right path.

I wasn't using the Export to PDF function but rather, Print to PDF. When I Export to PDF and set the resolution to 300 PPI and JPEG 2000 (any caveats to using this compression setting?), the output is acceptable*.

*Even though it is much better, the output resolution is still no where near as good as my MadCap Flare output. How do I achieve higher than 300 PPI resolution?

Thank you
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5. Re: CS6 - Hires Bitmap images are pixelated in PDF output

Peter Spier Oct 24, 2013 2:59 PM (in response to shawninvancouver)

Just type a higher number inthe downsample to field in the dialog. If you use a number at least as high as the effective resolution of your images no downsampling will occur. You can also set no compression, or Zip compression, which is lossless.
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6. Re: CS6 - Hires Bitmap images are pixelated in PDF output

shawninvancouver Oct 24, 2013 3:18 PM (in response to Peter Spier)

Thanks Peter,

>Just type a higher number inthe downsample to field in the dialog

I should have explained that I attempted manually changing the value but a dialog box appears... stating that I must use a value between 72 - 300 PPI.

>You can also set no compression, or Zip compression, which is lossless.

The only options I have are: JPEG, JPEG 2000, and Automatic. BTW, I am using the latest version of InDesign CC CS6.

Nevertheless, Export to PDF wasn't what I needed. All I needed to do was modify the PDF Printer's preferences for High Quality Print. Everything is good now.

Thanks to everyone.
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7. Re: CS6 - Hires Bitmap images are pixelated in PDF output

Peter Spier Oct 24, 2013 3:25 PM (in response to shawninvancouver)

Ah. You must be exorting to PDF (Interactive) instead of PDF (Print). Do you need interactivity?
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8. Re: CS6 - Hires Bitmap images are pixelated in PDF output

shawninvancouver Oct 24, 2013 3:35 PM (in response to Peter Spier)

>Do you need interactivity?

No, not this time but it's good to know that is available for next time.

Getting back to my earlier q... it's no longer that important to me but I am curious as to why I have less options available for PDF Export.
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9. Re: CS6 - Hires Bitmap images are pixelated in PDF output

Peter Spier Oct 24, 2013 3:38 PM (in response to shawninvancouver)

In the Export dialog change the Type dropdown to PDF (Print).
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10. Re: CS6 - Hires Bitmap images are pixelated in PDF output

shawninvancouver Oct 24, 2013 3:58 PM (in response to Peter Spier)

>In the Export dialog change the Type dropdown to PDF (Print).

Print instead of Interactive. Ah, now it is all coming together.

Thanks again! You're awesome!
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