PDF export displaying ellipse/shape boundaries

[Advocate]

In addition to my continual problems with getting the color output to match simulated print colors of CMYK on screen and .png printouts, I now find that upon PDF export, you can see the boundaries of an ellipse and a shape. I wanted to create a corona-style effect around the sun, so I used an ellipse and a shape, both with transparencies applied. (Edit to add: this is a design for a card deck.)

When I print the PDF export, (see the "PDF boundaries" image), the colors look way off and you can clearly see the circular boundaries of the ellipse and/or shape; it will do it on either one. All that should be visible is the white "corona" around the sun, which is subtle and indicated by the blue arrow pointing to it on the image "Sunrays."

Having discovered this problem, I've experimented with all sorts of variations of trying to get that corona, including the "glow" effect, but don't know how to change the color of the glow, itself. But it shouldn't be printing those boundaries to begin with, so something is off somewhere.

I'm exporting with PDF/X-3, 300 dpi, Limit bitmap resolution to rasterization resolution, JPEG quality at 100, exclude invisible layers.

Also attached is the .xar file, in case I'm doing something stupid and unaware of it.

Any ideas how to fix this?

TIA

[mwenz]

This isn't going to aid your slightly washed out look--but it is only the appearance as the color values are nearly identical between the PDF and DP6 (second screen shot).

Print to the PDF using PDF vers. 1.5 and you'll be fine on the halo. See one of the screen shots.

Take care, Mike

[Soquili]

Have you tried applying feathering to the ellipse?

[mwenz]

Still has the delineation of the "circle" glow extents. Look at the circular color shift on the rays themselves.

Take care, Mike

[Advocate]

Hi, Mike. That did the trick. I was using the PDF/X instead of the Adobe 1.5. Perhaps I should export all my images to the printer using the Adobe 1.5 instead of PDF/X. Maybe I should stop spending hours trying workarounds and just post my problem to the experts on this forum at the get-go from now on. Thanks!

[mwenz]

You are most welcome. Expert I'm not, though. Hack, yes...

Do feel free to post your art. If for no other reason it is outstanding.

Take care, Mike

[Soquili]

I see what you mean. This attachment uses the PDF 1.5 option along with the feathering as mention before.

[Advocate]

You're much closer to an expert than I am, that's for sure. My art is "outstanding"? You just made my day. Thanks!

[Albacore]

Excuse me some of the reasons that I give here maybe wrong but it is the information that has been given to me over the years for using PDF/X rather than just PDF1.5:
Increased meta data can be included
It's more bullet proof way of transporting files which also leads to smaller file size
Less need for pre-flighting as the Pro version Acro will show areas of problems
A standard desktop export file conversion tool that does not require tools like Jaws or Cute PDF
That files should not have device dependant tags on them (no files should have an RGB tag on them)
That files produced in PDF were totally print ready (nearly the same as above)
To allow better discussion
That PDF/X-3 can allow embedded ICC profile in it
That PDF/X is the baseline PDF and all printers should work from that.
PDF/X allows the use of layers

As I stated at the top this is just office conversion and the list is just made up from what I have digested from info given to me.

[GerryI]

It's more bullet proof way of transporting files which also leads to smaller file size

I would have to disagree with this one. If the design uses transparency then this must be converted to a bitmap representation for PDF/X whereas a standard PDF 1.5 document can keep the vector information. The PDF/X is likely to be significantly larger in these cases though some programs may have problems with the transparency.

Of course, some printers may insist on a PDF/X (i.e. print ready CMYK) file so another workaround would have to be found in this case, e.g. you may be able to use Acrobat or another program to convert the file from PDF 1.5 to PDF/X.

Gerry