FrameMaker 2020 Output to PDF - Background/Transparency Issue... I think :(

[Dean@DCF]

Good day all... I hope everyone is well!
I hope to receive comments/direction to resolve this issue that has appeared since I began using FM2020... from FM2015 (or since attempting to use the Adobe PDF printer).
The image below (left side... image of FM2020 doc) correctly displays the thumbnail white pages in the first column... but the image on the right side (output to PDF)... does not display white pages in the first column. That's the issue!

I get the same result whether I "publish" (from the pod), "save as PDF", or "print the book"... and even with different print job settings.

I suspect this has something to do with using the Adobe PDF printer... as historically... we used a printer that didn't support colour... and we'd simply enable Spot Color As Black/White in the Print Document dialog box.
I am looking forward to your comments... all the best to all! 

 

[FrameMaker-dk]

I can't figure out from the wording of your post, what file format the thumbnails has. Are they pdf files which have been linked into the document or are they perhaps in another file format?

[Dean@DCF]

Thank you for reply!!
Thumbnails are PDF… I tried PNGs but find they are blurry.
Dean

[FrameMaker-dk]

... when you write that you "same result whether I "publish" (from the pod), "save as PDF", or "print the book"... and even with different print job settings."... Is that the process for creating the thumbnailed files or is it the process for creating pdf files out of the files which have thumbnail pdf files imported?

[Dean@DCF]

Yes… those images are extracted from a pdf that was produce that way… specifically… I print the book from FrameMaker. I have only explored save as pdf and publishing… so currently not in our normal workflow.
Thank you!

Dean Mayer
Digital Content Factory Ltd.
VP - Technology

[FrameMaker-dk]

So when you print the book from FrameMaker... Are you using Adobe PDF as a printer driver? Are you using Distiller when generating the pdf?

[Dean@DCF]

Yes to both. I have been using the Adobe PDF printer to generate a .ps file... that is then distilled to create the PDF.

I should mention using the Adobe PDF printer is new to the process (testing)... previously used a Xerox (DocuTech) ps printer driver. Thanks for your comment!

[Matt-Tech Comm Tools]

I think what you're describing as an issue is actually a "fix" in Fm 2019.

Improved image transparency was listed as a new feature in Fm 2019.

Here's a video I did at the time to describe the improved functionality:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oowg5mX4LeQ

See 0:30 for the section on transparency.

-Matt

[Dean@DCF]

Hi Matt... thank you for your comment!
I saw your video prior to my initial post... and that... coupled with the comments from StudioSm leads me to agree with you. It seems to me then... to solve the "issue" for me... I'll need to use a file format (other than PDF) so those thumbnail images maintain a white background colour. Please let me know if you disagree.

Thank you again!

[Bob_Niland]

Or you can draw a solid-fill rectangle using FM's graphics tools and place it behind the imports.

[Dean@DCF]

Haha... right!

Thank you Bob... as well as Matt and StudioSm... I appreciate you comments!!

[Matt-Tech Comm Tools]

Expanding on Bob's thought...it looks like you have graphics in anchored frames within a table, so you might be able to set the background fill of the frame containing the graphic to white. Creating an object style would help you quickly apply that property via the Object Style Catalog.