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+--- Thread: PDF export: Layers groups as pages? (/Thread-PDF-export-Layers-groups-as-pages)
PDF export: Layers groups as pages? - Gimpdf - 07-06-2021
Hello,
I've seen a video where someone exported a PDF file with one layer group per page. Say layer group 1 contains: Text1, Text2, and white background. The resulting PDF in this video has all three components on one page.
However, when I export this example layer group, I get a PDF with 3 pages, one for each layer of the layer group.
Is there a way around this?
I'm using Gimp 2.10.24 and Win10 64 bit.
Regards.
RE: PDF export: Layers groups as pages? - rich2005 - 07-06-2021
Is this just a single layer group or are there multiple layer groups each containing text + text + whatever ?
1) For a Gimp image containing a single layer group and export to a single PDF page just untick Layers as pages... in the Export PDF dialogue.
[attachment=6324]
There is a problem with Gimp especially when using unusual fonts for the text. Display the PDF on a computer that does not have the fonts installed and default replacement font is used. This also applies when you use PDF format to send to a printing company.
or
2) Make a backup .xcf file. Flatten the layer group in the working image. Layer -> Merge Layer Group The layer group then becomes a single layer without any text properties. Export as a PDF, it is only a single page.
[attachment=6325]
The downside is possible loss of quality, so make sure the original image size has a suitably high ppi ( say 300 ppi) and overall pixel dimensions.
Sorry to harp on about Gimp and PDF but truthfully it is not great at the moment.
RE: PDF export: Layers groups as pages? - Gimpdf - 07-06-2021
Thank you for your fast reply!
In reality there are multiple layer groups, one for each page of the PDF I am building (8 as of now) with text layers etc. in them.
Merging to a single layer per page was my go to solution, but like you said there is some loss in quality.
RE: PDF export: Layers groups as pages? - rich2005 - 07-06-2021
There are alternatives to Gimp
Inkscape is a vector editor but you can import a bitmap from Gimp and add the text over it. Each set of text is an object much the same as a layer. Export as a PDF and the text is correctly embedded. Only one page at a time so you need a PDF merge application to assemble.
Scribus DTP. Frame based so add Images (from Gimp) frames and Text (from a text editor) frames to each page. Makes good PDF's.
RE: PDF export: Layers groups as pages? - Gimpdf - 07-06-2021
Alright I'll take a look at them, thank you.