topic Re: Problem with ArcGIS Pro failing to georeference when exporting to PDF in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Problem with ArcGIS Pro failing to georeference when exporting to PDF

HollandYoungman — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 20:15:39 GMT

I'm exporting maps from ArcGIS Pro as pdfs for use in the Avenza app. Recently, the maps are showing up as "not referenced" in that app - even though I'm specifying that the georeferencing be maintained when exported from Pro. I can make the same map in ArcMap, export it as a pdf and open it up in Avenza as a referenced map. Has anyone else been having this issue? Or care to share some advice? Thanks!

Re: Problem with ArcGIS Pro failing to georeference when exporting to PDF

KeithStickwood — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 13:07:03 GMT

In order for Avenza Maps to be able to read the georeferencing, the "Output as Image" check box has to be unchecked on the export dialog (see screenshot). Avenza is aware of the issue and is working to address it.

Re: Problem with ArcGIS Pro failing to georeference when exporting to PDF

HollandYoungman — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 12:35:04 GMT

Thank you! That worked

Re: Problem with ArcGIS Pro failing to georeference when exporting to PDF

Anonymous User — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 18:42:01 GMT

I am having the same issue after updating to ArcGIS Pro 2.6.2, and get the error "could not read PDF referencing" in Avenza. Output as image is not selected.

Re: Problem with ArcGIS Pro failing to georeference when exporting to PDF

JoshuaOneill — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 17:30:07 GMT

I was having similar issues with a really large map (large file size ~30mb).

Checking "Compress vector graphics" seemed to work for me.

Good luck!

Re: Problem with ArcGIS Pro failing to georeference when exporting to PDF

LukeWestphal — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 00:12:37 GMT

Checking "Compress vector graphics" also worked for me. I already had unchecked "Output as image" and was still getting "could not read PDF referencing" on Avenza. Thanks for solving my problem!

Re: Problem with ArcGIS Pro failing to georeference when exporting to PDF

Anonymous User — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 16:19:58 GMT

Thank you very much. It worked for me as well.

I unchecked output as image, changed image compression to adaptive and checked export georeferenced information.

Re: Problem with ArcGIS Pro failing to georeference when exporting to PDF

CassieGabalis — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 21:18:28 GMT

I am having the same issue with exporting a PDF from ArcGIS Pro 3.0 to Avenza Maps. I ensured 'Output as image' was unchecked, Image compression set to 'Adaptive', and 'Export georef. info.' checked. It is still showing as 'Map not referenced' on Avenza. Would any other factor be causing this?

Re: Problem with ArcGIS Pro failing to georeference when exporting to PDF

SeanSmith111 — Sat, 03 Dec 2022 12:37:08 GMT

Hi Cassie,

I had an issue where suddenly my maps displayed the 'map not referenced' error. I remembered that I was using a custom CRS. Once I changed that back to EPSG:4326 (for example only... not saying you have to!) it worked again.

Interestingly enough, when I exported as a TIFF with the GeoTIFF tags turned on, and using a custom CRS, I could load the geotiff into Avenza.

Re: Problem with ArcGIS Pro failing to georeference when exporting to PDF

DavidCurtis — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 23:58:02 GMT

If all else fails, restart your tablet.

I've always used the settings identified in the solutions below and just went through this problem. I was using the tablet (Samsung) yesterday to collect points and today when I fired up Avenza, every single map I had loaded said it wasn't referenced despite having used them hundreds of times. A simple reboot fixed the problem, but this points out how glaringly awful Avenza's become.

I won't point out the numerous issues I've had with each succeeding update in the last two years but it's becoming nearly unusable. Too bad, it used to be great.

Re: Problem with ArcGIS Pro failing to georeference when exporting to PDF

SheriNorton — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 14:16:18 GMT

I've tried exporting to PDF from ArcGIS Pro 3.2 using the suggestions above (uncheck Compress vector graphics, Adaptive image compression, Export georeference information) - but this still imports into Avenza on my iPhone XS with most currently iOS (17.1.2 just updated this morning!) with the red Map Not Referenced. There is no problem with PDFs exported from ArcMap - but this is not a sustainable method since we are migrating all our MXD projects to PRO and they are not backwards compatible to ArcMap at that point.

Note: I reached out to Avenza tech support (using the Avenza Plus personal subscription), but have received no help (just an annoying sales pitch to upgrade to Pro).