Global Mapper, PDF-Export, Symbols no vectors after export

thomas krüger

Hi,

haven't used PDF-export not very often. I oberved recently, however, that any symbols (i.e. dots) of a simple map layout where converted into tiny bitmaps, hence were not scalable anymore after export.

Is that a common feature!?

Regards

Thomas

bmg_mike

Hi Thomas,

You can use the 'Point Symbol / Icon Scaling Factor' option on the PDF export dialog to scale up point symbols on export to PDF files. Alternatively, you can set your symbols in the layers themselves to have a fixed height in meters so they show up the same size on the map regardless of zoom scale. This will also carry over to PDF exports.

Thanks,

Mike

Global Mapper Guru

thomas krüger

thomas krüger

Hi Mike,

thank you for your prompt reply. The pdf-export issue emerged when I tried to further process an exported map with a common graphic software (i.e. coreldraw, see attached image). There one realizes the bitmap character of all GM-symbols which of cause doesn't allow any proper vector-typical manipulations. I suppose there will be no work arround. Long ago I experienced GIS features with ESRI Arcview for the first time and could assign any symbol from a set of font-based vector items, when I correctly remember this option.

Anyway thank you and have a good day

Thomas

GM symbol handling in pdf-format.jpg

bmg_mike

Hi Thomas,

Some of the symbols in GM are actually vector-based internally, so they scale well inside of GM. For PDF export they are currently all turned into PNG symbol images (with the same image shared between all points using that symbol). I have created a todo item (GM-15191) for exporting symbols that are internally based on vector data as vector to PDF so they can scale better.

Thanks,

Mike

Global Mapper Guru

thomas krüger

perfect! Looking forward for this option.

Regards

Thomas