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Scribus => Text and Typography => Topic started by: Scribus_310817 on June 03, 2019, 04:37:13 PM

Title: Document fonts are converted to bitmap in PDF export
Post by: Scribus_310817 on June 03, 2019, 04:37:13 PM
Hello Scribus,

I created a very simple Scribus document with some images and some text (Arial regular). When I export as a PDF file the text comes out as bitmap and, therefore, cannot be copied (using Acrobat or PDF-XChange). I've looked at various options, but I cannot see where to switch off "convert fonts to bitmap". Does anybody have an answer? (I did search the forum before posting)
Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Document fonts are converted to bitmap in PDF export
Post by: Nermander on June 03, 2019, 05:24:21 PM
As far as I know Scribus will never convert text to bitmap, so you must have done something strange.
Title: Re: Document fonts are converted to bitmap in PDF export
Post by: utnik on June 03, 2019, 05:54:16 PM
did you really export a .pdf file with scribus? – or did you 'print to file' with some third party .pdf printer?

utnik
Title: Re: Document fonts are converted to bitmap in PDF export
Post by: Scribus_310817 on June 04, 2019, 09:31:04 AM
I went via File > Export > Save as PDF. That produces a full bitmap file.

The same thing happens when I do use a virtual PDF printer (PrimoPDF). When I use the latter with Word, I get a PDF with text that I can select with a text tool and copy.

I'm thinking that it's the way that my text frame is set up, or perhaps my document preferences. Is there some overall parameter?



Title: Re: Document fonts are converted to bitmap in PDF export
Post by: utnik on June 04, 2019, 12:00:10 PM
could you share an affected .sla file?

utnik
Title: Re: Document fonts are converted to bitmap in PDF export
Post by: Scribus_310817 on June 04, 2019, 12:05:30 PM
No problem to share. An SLA is attached.

I just created a simple text SLA with the text of this post. Exported as PDF, it presents the same symptoms.

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Document fonts are converted to bitmap in PDF export
Post by: utnik on June 04, 2019, 12:21:50 PM
i just exported your file without changing anything, and got selectable text in the .pdf file – don't know what went wrong with your export...

utnik

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Document fonts are converted to bitmap in PDF export
Post by: Scribus_310817 on June 04, 2019, 12:49:20 PM
I can select text in your PDF, but not in my own. Is there something in the export parameters that affects how fonts are handled?
Title: Re: Document fonts are converted to bitmap in PDF export
Post by: Scribus_310817 on June 04, 2019, 12:56:23 PM
How about if you share a simple SLA file with me, to see if I can export it with "copiable" text...
Title: Re: Document fonts are converted to bitmap in PDF export
Post by: utnik on June 04, 2019, 01:11:45 PM
Quote from: Scribus_310817 on June 04, 2019, 12:49:20 PM...Is there something in the export parameters that affects how fonts are handled?
well – you can select to 'embed' or 'outline' the fonts. but what is called 'outline' generates a type 3 font and stays as selectable text.
are you working under windows? – in this case it might be a problem with the font licence. could you try to use a third party (non microsoft) font?
i have to work now. but could provide an .sla test file in the evening, if it will still be needed by then...

utnik
Title: Re: Document fonts are converted to bitmap in PDF export
Post by: Scribus_310817 on June 04, 2019, 02:11:19 PM
Yeah I tried embed/outline, but that doesn't change a thing.

I'm using Scribus Version 1.4.8 on a Windows 10 PC. I don't think that it's a a license problem as the same fonts work when I print to a PDF with Word.

I reckon it's something I've done with the parameters. I'm going to uninstall and start afresh (not before capturing as many menus that seem relevant). I was able to export a copiable PDF when I first started using Scribus, so there's something under the hood that I've "tweaked".

A suivre...
Title: Re: Document fonts are converted to bitmap in PDF export
Post by: Scribus_310817 on June 04, 2019, 03:23:47 PM
I uninstalled/reinstalled scribus-1.4.8-windows-x64 (killing the subdirectories in \Program Files and \AppData\Roaming) and still had the "non copiable text in PDF" problem. I then upped the ante by installing the development candidate Scribus 1.5.4

And the result is...

Problem solved. I can export a PDF and copy the text with a PDF reader.

Thank you utnik