topic Re: Georeferenced Image doesn't appear when printed or shared to PDF - ArcGIS Pro in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Georeferenced Image doesn't appear when printed or shared to PDF - ArcGIS Pro

BobSage — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 18:19:20 GMT

I'm using ArcGIS Pro 2.9.3

I'd really appreciate any help figuring out why my georeferenced images won't print or show up when the layout is exported to pdf.

I take a utility plan set in pdf and convert to .tiff (one page at a time)
Import .tiff into ArcGIS Pro by dragging into Contents Pane
Use Define Projection tool to set the coordinate system of the .tiff to match our utility map
Georeference the image
- Add Control points, Apply, Close Georeference Tab
I can see the image in both the map tab and any layout tab I create

However, when I share to pdf or print to local printer, the georeferenced image never shows up.

I have tried this dozens of times, and I can not figure out what step I'm missing.

Thanks for any help.

Re: Georeferenced Image doesn't appear when printed or shared to PDF - ArcGIS Pro

Robert_LeClair — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 21:48:04 GMT

As your going through the georeferencing steps, are you saving (or save as new) the raster dataset? The save operation updates (or creates) the raster with control points and transformation applied. Perhaps this is why you dont' see it in your PDFs.

Re: Georeferenced Image doesn't appear when printed or shared to PDF - ArcGIS Pro

DEAF_PROBERT_68 — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 14:30:06 GMT

1) Are you sure your Layer Properties are set to the same as the Utility Map for example the coordinate system ? Here is an example :

This is really important when you export or save as new georeferenced image.

2) Second, when you export your new georeferenced image, it should add it to your map and then it should overlay your not georeferenced image ?

3) if both 1) and 2) works, then when you export to PDF, what do you see it when you open the PDF ?

If you open it and if the image shows up on your PDF then it should work...

Re: Georeferenced Image doesn't appear when printed or shared to PDF - ArcGIS Pro

BobSage — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 18:10:19 GMT

Thanks Robert! Sorry for the late reply, I got busy with work and then I had to move.
I have never saved as new, but I always save it. The other suggestion seemed to do the trick for me!

Re: Georeferenced Image doesn't appear when printed or shared to PDF - ArcGIS Pro

BobSage — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 18:14:52 GMT

Thanks PROBERT68!
I was using the Set SRS button in the Georeference tab to set the coordinate system.

After reading your post, I tried it again with a new image. I used the Define Projection Tool to set the coordinate system, before opening the Georeference tab, and that seemed to work!

It's weird, because it was showing up in my Layout before, but not showing up in the exported .pdfs.

Defining the projection using the Define Projection Tool first has me on my way!

(Sorry for the late reply, I got busy with work and then I had to move.)

Re: Georeferenced Image doesn't appear when printed or shared to PDF - ArcGIS Pro

DEAF_PROBERT_68 — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 22:43:48 GMT

Good to hear ! Yes it is very tricky part that it is easy to forgot to set coordinate system first.

Don't be sorry since we are all always busy these days.

Re: Georeferenced Image doesn't appear when printed or shared to PDF - ArcGIS Pro

MohKaruri — Tue, 28 May 2024 17:37:28 GMT

Thanks Robert. This was the step I was missing!

Re: Georeferenced Image doesn't appear when printed or shared to PDF - ArcGIS Pro

BobSage — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:34:24 GMT

I've gotten much better at this workflow, and for utility record drawings I always export from pdf to .tiff, and then I can change the line colors so that I don't get confused with overlapping pages.
Here are some short videos of my workflow for this.
Import and Georeference a .tiff : https://youtu.be/mW9sHT50hLk
Tiff color change in ArcGIS Pro: https://youtu.be/VbQyFz91I0A