Bounding Box and PDF import

Question

Using CS4, I’m importing a PDF of an exhibition graphic I created at 25% finished size, into another ID document at full size to test it comes out correctly when enlarged by 400%. When I enlarge the placed PDF to 400%, although the width is true, the height comes out short of the bottom.

These are the default settings under Show import options: Default option selected: Crop to Bounding Box. When I changed Crop to: Art, the depth correctly extended to the bottom of the page. 1/4 of the PDF is a text frame inset from the top and the rest is an image extending to the bottom of the page. I assumed that with Bounding Box the PDF would fill the full size page exactly when enlarged.

Is it because the text box starts further down the page or is there some other explanation? All answers gratefully received.

Test Screen Name · Accepted Answer

The bounding box is rarely the exact design size. It should be the smallest box that encloses all the elements (more or less). So margins may be lost, including any space left at the bottom. If you want the design size the trim box is often a good choice, though on docs without bleed, crop and art may do.

Test Screen Name · Answer

I’ve always found Acrobat’s “document properties” misleading. It shows the visible page size, which is the crop box; often the same as the bleed box or trim box but not necessarily either. It may be rotated. Further, it can be different in each page, but there is no note to say it’s just the current page. So, interesting for the casual user but I would indeed go with preflight, remembering each page may be different.

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