EMF issue converting diagram in docx to pdf

[Franke_F]

Hi together,

i have the following problem. I created diagrams with inkscape as *.emf files. I inserted them into a *.docx file. If i use the Acrobat PDF Maker, the curves of the emf type diagrams extend beyond the edges.

If i use the Adobe printer, this does not happen. But unfortunately the Adobe printer does not show the bookmarks and the cross references, so i want to use the PDF Maker. The Word Add-In Print to PDF delivers only low quality pictures.

Here are more technical information:

Word 2019

Acrobat PDFMaker / Acrobat DC Version 21.011.20039

Diagrams are created with Python 3.7 as svg file and then converted with inkscape 1.1 to emf

You find an example of the docx file and the pdf file attached. If needed, i can send an emf file (emf file type is not supported here).

best regards

[Amal.]

Hi Franke

Hope you are doing well and sorry to hear that.

Is this the behavior with the .emf files only or with other image files as well? Please try with a different image file and check.

Also go through the help page https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/troubleshoot-acrobat-pdfmaker-problems-office.html and see if that works for you.

Regards

Amal

[Franke_F]

Hi Amal,

thank you for your answer.

This kind of problem appears with every *.emf diagram.

I checked the troubleshoot page but nothing helps. I created a PDFMaker option, where every checkbox is unchecked and the problem still appears. It seems like something in the process of PDFMaker is wrong when it should work with the emf files.

The problem was discussed a few years ago but it is still unsolved:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-discussions/emf-issues-with-conversion-of-docx-to-pdf/m-p/106...

best regards

[Luke Jennings3]

I'm going to throw out some guesses here. Try opening the Python svg file in Illustrator, flatten layers, save as svg, then use inkscape to make your emf. The object is to keep the vector format in the round trip through Word. Or, try exporting to PDF from Word (without using Acrobat).

Another possible work-around, create two pdfs, one with all the bookmarks & cross references, but with bad art (call it A), the other without bookmarks but with good art (call it B), use the Acrobat replace tool (Tools> Organize Pages> Replace) to replace pdf A with pdf B, (call it C), pdf C should retain the bookmarks, etc, from A and use the good art from B.

[Franke_F]

Hi Luke,

thank you for your answer. Actually, we don't have an illustrator licence so your suggestion won't work for me.

Exporting from Word to PDF without Acrobat works, but there is a degradation in quality of all non-emf pictures within the document. If i use the Print to PDF method or Adobe Printer all works fine, but bookmarks and hyperlinks are not exported. 

Your second suggestion could be a workaround for smaller documents. But i have a document with more than 230 Pages. And on (almost) every page are bookmarks, hyperlinks and cross references. 

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

Based on a quick search, clipping paths in EMF files have bneen historically problematic.

Question: Is there a reason why you don't just place the .svg files? And, if you did, does the same issue occur?

Also, does it happen when you use Word's internal PDF export (i.e. Save As > [PDF format])

[Franke_F]

Hi Brad,

thank you for your answer.

Word can not work with .svg files. It needs the .emf file to use vectorgraphics within the document. 

I used the internal PDF export, but there is a quality degradation of non-emf pictures within the document.

My current workaround is that is use two files.

One file with low quality and all bookmarks and cross-references for digital reading and the other one (high quality) without bookmarks for printing. But for further documents that doesn't seem like a practibale way.

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse · Accepted solution]

How old is your Word?? Word has been able to import SVG for awhile now 

[Franke_F]

Hi Brad,

I didn't know that before. With Word 2017 it didn't work yet, Word 2019 can work with svg. The problem does not appear, i have just tried it.

Thank you very much, that really helps!