My workflow for years has been to migrate my SU drawing to a Layout template, adjust the Layout file to my liking and export it to a PDF file. Since the recent SU Pro update, some of the fonts in the exported PDF file are not displaying properly - They are grossly enlarged and do not properly represent the content of my template file.
I’ve tried deleting the text area and replacing it with a new one - same issue.
I’ve tried changing the font several times - same issue.
I’ve pulled a backup template off the server - same issue.
I tried reinstalling SU Pro 2021.1.1 - same issue.
I’ve tried changing my export resolution to medium - same issue.
I opened Layout and created a new blank document - added a text box and several lines of text. Exported to PDF - same issue - font is distorted - see attached.
After posting this, I’ve done a little more experimenting and have discovered that anything that follows a TAB character in a text box gets distorted when exported to a PDF file.
Have you tried using the pdf engine that’s packaged in the Win 10 OS?
I don’t really know if Layout is offering it own pdf creation these days. But as an alternative to the Layout Export feature—and what could be a small bug in the new program—It might be worth seeing what happens if you create the pdf file via the standard Print Dialog Panel (rather than the Export option)… and choose the listed pdf printer engine, instead of your normal printer.
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For troubleshooting/info gathering purposes, If you still have an old install of SU/Layout sitting around on your system… it might be worth seeing how those are working… and if a file exported from them, opens up with the same errors that you are reporting on for the new 2021.1.1 release.
Hi,
I update to the latest Su Pro 21.1.279 and now I have the same problem here. In Layout all fonts are good but when I export to pdf, I use internal Layout pdf export not print to pdf, all numbers are not consistent in size. The font that I use is Bahnschrift and it comes with Windows 10 installation.
My problem with it started with this latest Su Pro update.
May I ask, do the lines with font issues contain TAB characters? The issue only appears for me when I insert multiple tabs into the text Layout text boxes or Label Text. For instance:
I opened a new Layout file. The file is not linked to a SKP file.
I inserted a text box containing the following:
Some text here - no issues, though font appears larger than in Layout files
Line 2 of text - no issues
Line 3 of text - no issues
a. More text - text explodes
b. more still - text explodes
Line 4 of text - no issues
Screen grabs of Layout and PDF files:
Layout:
PDF:
I’ve submitted the error to SU - perhaps they can replicate.
My problems are Labels and Text, mainly numbers, they are randomly larger or smaller than ones in the Layout file. Layout_file_export_PDF.pdf (295.5 KB)
I tried to print with Windows pdf and it works, but after so many years of using the export option I am just lazy to change the way I do get pdf out of Layout.
Thank you Dave for the links on threads. I read them.
I use Bahnschrift for at least three years now and never had any problems like this one, not on Windows, iOS, or any client complaints. I did open it on many computers and no problem until I upgrade it to the latest SU maintenance. If I print it using Windows pdf I get correct size fonts and all is good but if I export it gets scrambled. I will see with my students if they have any problems at home and I can check it on Friday on the school’s computers to see if it gets the same result.
I like it too and tried to replicate your problem without success. My Font dialog box shows quite many variants, did you use some other than the “plain” Bahnscrift? In your screenshots I imagine seeing a bit lighter font than the one I tried.
Edit: here is no difference between Light and Regular when exported. On screen the difference is visible.
I have a support ticket submitted with SU on this issue. The SU support rep was able to recreate the issue on his PC, but not on a MAC. It has been elevated to the SU software engineers for resolution.
This seems to be a regression in our PDF export caused when we updated the PDF library that we use to generate .pdf files. We’re looking into this right now.
There is definitely some oddity in the Bahnschrift font too. The LayOut font dialog shows many varieties of the font. So does Word. Illustrator only shows Regular. When I make a font sample in Word and export that to PDF with Word’s built in exporter, all weights show as Regular, and condensed versions have their kerning run haywire.
I don’t think anybody is allowed to comment on specifics like future release dates. In a way I think we’re lucky that they already know about the issue, and have a good idea what’s causing it. so I would imagine that a fix will be part of the next release.
However, I would also argue that you shouldn’t have to wait for anything since you still have the option to run everything through the print dialog menu now. And as much as I can see how people feel that something is broken here. I would not consider the print to pdf option as a work-a-round or lower quality substitution. If anything it’s the more traditional way of generating pdf’s… and depending upon what pdf creator is being used it can also be an improvement.
Anyhow, I’m not trying to make changes to anyones favorite workflow, but instead trying to offer a level of acceptance to what’s a very common alternative approach.
This is one of the few times when built-in redundancy can save the day… or at least the task at hand.
The challenge I have here is this is a critical feature I use every day, even every hour I am at work. We moved from a classic subscription model to a subscription model that I was not a fan of, and the last print issue I had with the classic license they said they would fix but did not fix till the next version of the software which essentially forced me into the subscription model just to fix a product I had already bought. I use this feature and have been burned by print issues before. An ETA is a small ask in my view for a critical feature at this point. I am paying more and feel like it has been a worse experience so far. I hope this does not continue to be the case.
