Layout element gradient fills render incorrectly in PDF export (ArcGIS Pro 3.5)

Question

ArcGIS 3.5 renders layout element gradient fills incorrectly when exporting to PDF. The issue occurs across a variety of compression settings. Continuous gradients render large blocks of color, discrete gradients render with white lines between color stops. Please see photos for comparison between layout and export.

Layout view in ArcGIS Pro 3.5Exported PDF file

LanaJewell · Answer

Hi there, I'm still noticing a similar issue in 3.5.3 . I second @wbruce_nifc , there is no Advanced pane and there is no option to "Rasterize layers with bitmap markers/fills". Right now I'm working with a line feature symbolized with a gradient and the line geometry shows up completely incorrectly on the PDF--discontinuous segments, physically shifted from the feature path, etc. This geometry failure does not exist with a simpler symbology. Is there any resolution to this? I don't currently have access to graphics editing programs such as Inkscape/Illustrator/etc.

wbruce_nifc · Answer

Thanks for your suggestions, Daniel! As far as version, I am specifically using the most current release, ArcGIS Pro 3.5.2.

I don't see several of the options you are recommending. There is no "Advanced" tab on the export pane, and there is no option to "Rasterize layers with bitmap markers/fills". There is also no "Convert to Graphics" option for rectangular box layout elements. Vector fidelity is important for this document, so exporting as an image is not an acceptable workaround in this case.

Here's a screenshot the settings I used, trying to follow your advice as closely as possible, and the resulting exported gradient:

These settings also produce a very large file size.

I eventually worked around this issue by recreating the gradient fill in Inkscape and importing the SVG as an image to replace the layout element. Ironically, this reverses the bug: the SVG displays incorrectly in the layout, but exports correctly as a PDF, even with heavy compression settings.

DanielFox1 · Answer

Hi @wbruce_nifc

You mentioned you are on 3.5 are you able to update ArcGIS Pro any further to test if the issue is still present?

Adjust PDF Export Settings
When exporting:
1. File > Share > Export Layout
2. Choose PDF.
3. Try these adjustments:

* Rasterize the entire layout:
In the Advanced tab, check Convert Markers to Polygons and Rasterize layers with bitmap markers/fills.
* Set Raster Resolution higher (e.g., 300–600 dpi).
* Disable Vector Compression: Set Image Compression to None or LZW instead of JPEG.
* Embed Fonts and Export as Image if vector fidelity is not critical.

Switch the Gradient fill type, if you are using continuous gradient, try switching to Discrete or vice versa then re-export. 
Alternatively you could use flatten the gradient into a raster before export:

* Right click the element > Convert to Graphics > Export as PNG/TIFF > Reinsert into layout

Export to a TIFF or PNG instead of PDF then convert to PDF using Adobe. This should bypass the ArcGIS Pro's PDF gradient rendering engine.

If all of the above fails to help please get in touch with your distributor to discuss and investigate this further as this could be a known bug or a bug that needs logged. I hope this helps.