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Cj.amn
Cj.amn
Participating Frequently
January 1, 2024
Answered

InDesign changes buttons appearance when exported as an Interactive PDF.

  • January 1, 2024
  • 2 replies
  • 900 views

Hey - I noticed that InDesign makes buttons appear darker when exporting as an 'Interactive PDF.' I have a button with white text (no background) and set the blending mode to 'difference.' Everything looks normal in InDesign, but when exporting it as an 'Interactive PDF,' the buttons appear much darker. This only happens when the object becomes a button. I have copied the same object without the button feature, which appears in the PDF completely normal. I have attached screenshots from InDesign and the Interactive PDF export. I have also attached the button settings and blending mode setup.

 

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Luke Jennings3

    While some effects won't work well on an interactive pdf, there are some work-arounds. You used the "Difference" effect on the type and background to make the type change color over the background, another way to do this is to convert the type to outlines, copy the outlines, select the background shape and paste into the shape, then change the pasted portion of the type to the desired color. (remove all of the existing effects first).

    Edit- actually, an easier way to fix this might be to make a separate, invisible button on top of the type, although eliminating the effects is probably a good idea.

     

    2 replies

    BobLevine
    BobLevine
    Community Expert
    January 2, 2024

    Beyond what you've already been told, are you aware of the fact that these buttons won't likely function outside of Acrobat on a desktop? If you can't control the reader application you might just as well stop working on this now.

    Cj.amn
    Cj.amnAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    January 2, 2024

    I'm using this PDF document on a platform that operates using integrated Acrobat, and everyone who uses this document also has access to Adobe Acrobat.

    FYI, the interactive features work perfectly fine outside of Acrobat, such as in the MacOS Preview app.

    Luke Jennings3
    Luke Jennings3Correct answer
    Community Expert
    January 2, 2024

    While some effects won't work well on an interactive pdf, there are some work-arounds. You used the "Difference" effect on the type and background to make the type change color over the background, another way to do this is to convert the type to outlines, copy the outlines, select the background shape and paste into the shape, then change the pasted portion of the type to the desired color. (remove all of the existing effects first).

    Edit- actually, an easier way to fix this might be to make a separate, invisible button on top of the type, although eliminating the effects is probably a good idea.

     

    Willi Adelberger
    Willi Adelberger
    Community Expert
    January 1, 2024

    For interactive PDFs the document should be in sRGB and also the buttons. Is this the case?

    Cj.amn
    Cj.amnAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    January 1, 2024

    I think they are. I have attached the InDesign file for your reference.

    Thanks!

    Willi Adelberger
    Willi Adelberger
    Community Expert
    January 2, 2024

    You use transparency effects from the button in combination of static objects. Form elements, specific buttones here, cannot use transparency correcty, less possible in combination with non form objects.

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