High Quality PDF output with Translucency

[Ben]

I realise this has been covered in various forms in multiple threads
across the web however I still struggle with it.

A Layout Window has been produced in MapInfo 10.0.
The layout window consists of elements from the map window as well as
text and linework directly placed onto the Layout Window itself.
The Map Window has been created with Aerial Imagery, Vector data and
Translucencies (can be both vector translucencies and raster (aerial)
translucencies).

The desire is to get a high quality pdf output from the layout window
that looks fantastic for print. This means crisp clear text and
linework with decent imagery behind it.

The problem is that in order for translucencies to appear you must
turn on Enhanced Rendering which then "rasterizes" the entire image
including text and linework from the map window not required to be
translucent and text and linework created independently on the layout
window itself. The result is a degraded output. Small font sizes can
be unreadable, larger fonts and linework blurred or pixelated.

I've explored numerous settings including output resolutions, image
compressions, Adobe V MapInfo pdf creation methods, Direct to Device V
EMF, Internal Handling for Transparent Vector Fills, ROP Method,
Dither Methods, Linearization, Font Embedding, Anti Aliasing, Print to
File etc etc etc. I've tried producing pdfs in two parts by exporting
the vector components, or even just the layout window elements without
the mapwindow, first and then exporting the raster/translucencies
second with the idea of combining/overlaying in Acrobat professional -
cant seem to be done) I've also tried exporting layers to Illustrator
- dont even go there! There seems to be no suitable simple solution.

Am I asking too much or is there something I am missing? Does anybody
have a simple work flow for this that doesnt show obvious data
degradation? Highest importance needs to be placed on the quality of
text and linework. I can live with slight degration to imagery behind
it (such as that produced with jpg compression).

Thanks in advance.
Ben.

[Graeme]

Hi Ben.

You could try saving your map window with only the translucent vector
and rasters on and all text/labels turned off as a geotiff in high
resolution. Then open this image in your map window and now add your
text/labels non-translucent layers, turn off all other vector/raster
layers other than the map window you just saved, and print the layout.
This will give you high quality text with the rest of the map
rasterised. I dont think you'll have much luck playing with the print
settings alone.

Cheers,
Graeme

[Greg]

Ben,

Have you set enhanced rendering for text and lines, as well as for rasters?  It's something I always set as it really seemed to make a difference to the output (print or as an image). There is another option (PrintOSBM) hidden away in the registry that you might need to set when printing with translucent layers.  Have a look in the MapInfo Printing Guide v10 page 18 as it describes the option and how to enable it –

http://reference.mapinfo.com/software/mapinfo_pro/english/10/MapInfoProfessionalPrintingGuide.pdf

HTH

Greg.

[Ben]

Hi Graeme and Greg

Thank you both for your responses. Greg I've tried setting enhanced
rendering for text and lines and that still didnt produce an output I
was happy with. Unfortunately I dont have registry permissions and it
would be a bit of a problem going down this line. I read through the
guide as mentioned but it couldnt really help me where I am at.

Graeme, I actually hadn't thought of doing what you mentioned on this
occassion and for this particular map purpose that method will work
well. So I will go with that for now - thanks!


Ben.