Imported SVG files to FM 10 are too dark despite making extremely feint on output

[nicholas5C2A]

Hello I am having problems importing svg files into FM10. I have to make the output for the svg file extremely feint to get something like the quality required. If I leave the line weight of the svg at a relatively normal weight, on import the graphic is extremely dark and detail is non existent in particularly densely detailed areas. The illustrations are being created in Solidworks composer and I have tried all options on export with no change. I assume that there is something to do to affect the import, but what? Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this plea! Nick

[Bob_Niland]

nicholas5C2A: …on import the graphic is extremely dark…

Is the problem only during edit/preview in FM, or also on output (and to what output paths, such as PDF)?

Separately, this is FM10. If the output intent is HTML, as I recall, FM10 would always convert SVG to raster (JPG or PNG) on output. It requires a later FM to pass SVG's XML through to HTML unmodified. Also, there was a least one SVG clipping bug fixed in FM2019.

Back when I was working with FM7 & FM9, I would routinely convert incoming SVGs to EPS in some external app that could do that.

[nicholas5C2A]

Thanks for responding!
No, it is seen in FM during creation and the difference is then carried through to the output, usually PDF occasionally hardcopy print. The differences are in comparison with, or relative to, earlier illustrations produced externally with unknown software.

Nick

[Winfried Reng]

Hi Nick,

Can you check your SVG files in an application like Inkscape?

https://inkscape.org/

Inkscape is a free vector graphics application, and it uses SVG as its storage format.

Possibly open a working and a non-working SVG in Inkscape and check, whether there are any differences.

Best regards

Winfried

[nicholas5C2A]

Hello Winfried and thank you,

I have attached two illustrations in SVG and their PDF (albeit one as PNG from PDF) counterparts, to demonstrate the differences between an earlier illustration (better quality) and recent (poor quality), that demonstrates how feint the lines are required to be to get an output close to the quality expected in FM.

Regards

Nick

[Winfried Reng]

Hi Nick,

You forgot to append the files.

Did you compare the SVG files?

You do not have to open them in Inkscape. You can also use any other vector graphics application (Illustrator, CorelDraw, Corel Designer).

Best regards

Winfried

[nicholas5C2A]

I did append them, perhaps I have to paste them into the reply? I have Inkscape and used that to check them and could see the differences there too but wanted to show you also.

I have appended again just in case, if this doesn't work I'll paste them into the message itself, thank you.

Regards

Nick

[Winfried Reng]

Of course it makes sense to update your FrameMaker version!

Still I would check the differences in the SVG files. When you say that you see the differences in Inkscape, then this is not a FrameMaker issue, but an issue from SolidWorks Composer which creates the problem SVG files.

[nicholas5C2A]

I have been able to demonstrate to myself that It's not a composer issue, where if I adjust the settings in Composer so that the illustration looks the same as the earlier version when both viewed in Inkscape, the composer version is almost impossible to use in FM.

I am trying to find out what the subscription periods for FM are now and get the latest version.

Regards

Nick

[Stefan-Gentz]

As otheres have mentioned as well, FM 10 is really old. Like, ten years old.

Since then a lot of changes and updated have happend also in the SVG filter. Actually, in the 2019 release we brought in a completely new SVG filter.

I can only recommend to download the latest release (Summer 2020 release) and check if your SVGs work better there. You can download a 30 days free trial from here: https://www.adobe.com/products/framemaker.html (click the blue "Free Trial" button at the top to get directly to the trial download page.

[nicholas5C2A]

Thanks Stefan, I did wonder if the age would be a factor, but it does everything else I need it to, but perhaps now is the time to replace.......

Regards

Nick

[nicholas5C2A]

Hello Stefan, I have now downloaded the latest version of FM but unfortunately it has made no difference.  When imported, each SVG looks the same as it did in FM 10. I have attached the two illustrations being referred to albeit not in original format; the SVG as saved as JPG and one PDF as is the other JPG but noting PDF in name. 

Nick

[K.Daube]

IMHO what you qualify as «Poor quality.pdf» is of best quality. I can zoom in by a factor 10 and see crisp details.

[nicholas5C2A]

Thank you. I accept and agree with your point in respect of what can be done with the illustration. Unfortunately ,it is how it presents in the document that is the issue and as you may have been able to see, (if not I didn't present very well), the illustration I deem as 'poor', has to be made so feint to make it anywhere near presentable in the FM manual, when compared with the other illustration which is clearer in both. It is that comparison that I am attempting to understand and resolve.

Regards

Nick

[Bob_Niland]

nicholas5C2A: …has to be made so feint…
Back when I was dealing with this, converting incoming CAD images into EPS for FM (usually using Illustrator), part of my routine process was deliberately setting the stroke to optimal for our print workflow (something like 2 dots wide at paper).

The DXFs, DWGs, PDFs, .ps & occasional EPS would often sail in with all sorts of problems, not just stroke weight. Many contained instances of the apps rendering engine neglecting to "pick up the pen" between ending one line and starting another. There might also be instances of other rendering fails, such as what appears to be some lines in your test image here that were supposed to be hidden.

[Stefan-Gentz]

Yes, @K.Daube, same here. The "Poor quality.pdf" looks totally fine here for me.

It looks good at 100%, and I can zoom in deeply to see the smallest details.

Not sure if my screenshot here in the Forum will represent it properly, but I hope it will give an idea of how it looks like for me. Note, that in Acrobat all lines are clear and sharp: 

[Stefan-Gentz]

By the way, @nicholas5C2A, which version of Acrobat are you using?

Also, check these Acrobat settings in Edit > Preferences:

[nicholas5C2A]

Thanks Stefan, it is the latest version of Acrobat, but forgive my ignorance, (I really am an amateur), I'm not sure how that impacts here?

Regards

Nick

[nicholas5C2A]

Hello again Stefan, I can see that the lines and deatil are great when zoomed in, but this is not an interactive document. The illustration will go in as seen, and while it is just about acceptable for the purpose, it isn't as good as it could be which is what I would prefer to deliver.

[K.Daube · Accepted solution]

IMHO your demand can not be fulfilled with a drawing of that density of details. It is the same problem as topographic maps show: you can not just scale a 1:25000 map down to 1:100000 (factor is just 4). It must be generalised - that is reduced in detail level.

[nicholas5C2A]

Thanks, I did start to wonder if that would be the outcome. 

[Bob_Niland]

K.Daube: …your demand can not be fulfilled with a drawing of that density of details.

That was a common problem for the documents I used to manage, and the usual solution was to go back to the CAD app, simplicate and add deletions.

[nicholas5C2A]

Unfortunately this is not our design but a file from the company I am producing for and in turn some of the elements from tertiary suppliers are brought into that as solid lumps, it looks like I will just have to suck it up, but I am pleased that I asked the question and thanks to all those that have replied!