Document Conversion Problem

[mski123]

We're trying to convert a FrameMaker 10 book to a PDF file and only in one section of the document graphics are randomly being left out.  Adobe leaves a space where the graphic should be.  And in one instance, it even left the arrows pointing to the different items but the rest of the graphic was missing.  We've tried just converting that one section to later be able to add it back in by Adobe Pro thinking the file size might be the issue - no joy.  We've tried copying the file into FrameMaker vice having it as a link to the document - no joy.  We've tried changing the printer (and therefore the printer drivers) we use during the conversion process thinking it was a printer driver/memory problem - no joy.  Finally, we tried putting the file on the hard drive vice the server - no joy.  Graphics are still being left out from just that one section of the document.  It wasn't even the same graphics each time (some changed, most stayed the same).  The graphics are CGM files.  Not sure if that has anything to do with it.  But, we don't see anything else in common with the graphics other than they're just coming from one section of the document.  Other sections of the document have even larger graphics (file size) in it.  Would anyone have any suggestions?  I tried putting my work email address in here and it said that someone was already using it (unlikely) but never-the-less, I had to resort to using my personal email to obtain an account.  Unfortunately, I am unable to get messages back from my personal account at work.  If you have a suggestion, please email me at mskibins@arinc.com.  Thank you.

[Bob_Niland]

Any chance the CGM file contents are CMYK?

If so, what is the setting of "Convert All CMYK Colors to RGB"?

Can you re-save the CGMs from a supporting app to EPS or PDF, and import that?

[mski123]

Not sure what a CMYK is, but I don't believe so.  The file names have .cgm after them.  All the graphics are line drawings created using 3-D View, and there are no colors.  Also, we just tried to use FrameMaker from another machine to convert the file and the same problem occurred thinking it could have been a software install problem.

We didn't try coverting the CGMs to other formats, but that's a good idea.  We have tried (repeatedly) to re-link the graphics into the chapter.  Funny thing is, the larger graphics are all coming through on the conversion, it's some of the medium sized graphics that are having problems.

[Bob_Niland]

> Not sure what a CMYK is, but I don't believe so.

Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Key, the color model used for color printing (and which is problematic in FM10, and on Windows generally).

Even if the artwork is monochrome, the file could easily be tagged with a color model (CYMK or RGB).

If the line art is vector, I'd suggest opening a CGM in Adobe Illustrator, check/convert the color model (to Gray or RGB), and re-save as EPS.

If the line art is raster, find out what resolution, and do the same with PhotoShop.

Is this a new document, or did these CGMs work in some prior version of Frame, or on another platform (like Unix or Mac)?

[mski123 · Accepted solution]

Box for "Convert All CMYK Colors to RGB" was checked.  I unchecked it and tried again.

You're a genius!  It worked!! Thank you.

[Bob_Niland]

> You're a genius!

Not hardly, pilgrim. I'm not even running FM10.

That particular setting seems used to be the work-around for about 17.43% of the problems people bring here.

Adobe needs to fix their end of CMYK handling, although I doubt Mr.Bill's Minions will ever get CMYK really working (non-destructively) on Windoze.

____

Arnis reminds us that Adobe did fix the FM10 CMYK problem.

[Arnis Gubins]

It sounds like you're running an older version of FM10. The latest patch (10.0.2p419) takes care of the CMYK issues.