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Scribus => Layout Issues => Topic started by: DrMartinus on November 21, 2011, 09:38:27 AM

Title: Transparent background isn't transparent in pdf export
Post by: DrMartinus on November 21, 2011, 09:38:27 AM
I have for the first time tried to create textboxes with a transparent coloured background to let the image behind shine through a little bit. However, when I export the doc to pdf, I get a solid background in the textbox. How can I change that?
I use scribus-ng (rc6) on Linux Mint 11, 64 bit.
I export to pdf/X3 which seems to be very acceptable by our printer.  
Title: Re: Transparent background isn't transparent in pdf export
Post by: Nermander on November 21, 2011, 10:13:29 AM
If I recall correct PDF/X-3 does not support transparency.
Title: Re: Transparent background isn't transparent in pdf export
Post by: DrMartinus on November 21, 2011, 10:15:28 AM
Which version should I try then? I hope my printer (I mean the shop) doesn't mess up things then...
Title: Re: Transparent background isn't transparent in pdf export
Post by: a.l.e on November 21, 2011, 01:20:55 PM
if you're not sure about how the printer will manage it, you should flatten the transparencies (or avoid using transparencies).

printing from acrobat reader to .ps and converting the .ps back to .pdf will take care of flattening the transparencies.

from my recent experiences, ghostscript seems also to be able to do it! you may want to try the round-trip conversion with it, if you prefer to work with free software.

... sadly, scribus can't do it on its own (it's an hard task to do it correctly) and printers don't always fully support pdf versions which contain transparencies (1.4 upwards)

hope that helps
a.l.e
Title: Re: Transparent background isn't transparent in pdf export
Post by: Nermander on November 22, 2011, 07:53:16 AM
Quote from: a.l.e on November 21, 2011, 01:20:55 PM
printing from acrobat reader to .ps and converting the .ps back to .pdf will take care of flattening the transparencies.

But how do you retain PDF/X-3 features in such a conversion process?
Title: Re: Transparent background isn't transparent in pdf export
Post by: a.l.e on November 22, 2011, 01:30:45 PM
pdf/X-3 does not support (live) transparencies and scribus can't flatten transparencies.

you can try with ghostscripts' pdftops (not pdf2ps) since it is supposed to flatten your transparencies.

with ps2pdf you can recreate a pdf/x-3 file.

google says that it should work...

please try that and give us some feedabck if it did work for you!

ciao
a.l.e