topic Re: Bitmap picture marker symbol do not export to pdf in Mapping Questions

Bitmap picture marker symbol do not export to pdf

AntoineCantin — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 18:28:54 GMT

Hi,

When exporting my map to pdf, some of my picture marker symbols (little bitmap icons) do not export. Sometimes they appear in the legend, but sometimes not. Export options are as shown in the pictures. I tried to check the Convert Marker symbols to polygons without any luck. It's pretty weird and I can't figure out why. How can I solve this problem?

Thanks,

Re: Bitmap picture marker symbol do not export to pdf

ChrisDonohue__GISP — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 19:48:37 GMT

One thing to try is to use the setting "Convert Marker Symbols to Polygons" (the one just above "Embed All Document Fonts") in conjunction with the ones you have already set. Sometimes that will resolve the issue.

Chris Donohue, GISP

Re: Bitmap picture marker symbol do not export to pdf

AntoineCantin — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 20:39:42 GMT

I tried, but it's not working...

Re: Bitmap picture marker symbol do not export to pdf

ChrisDonohue__GISP — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 03:17:20 GMT

I found this in an older Help section (ArcGIS 10.0), but may still apply in modern versions. Note - I added the underline:

Missing symbols in PDF, EPS, or SVG output

Map features symbolized with character marker symbols, such as point features, use fonts to graphically represent the feature. If you notice that certain features in the exported file render with text characters instead of graphic symbols, the ESRI fonts may be missing from that machine. Verify that the Embed All Document Fonts option is checked in the Format tab of the Export Map dialog box. Font embedding is supported for PDF, EPS, and SVG export, and allows the symbol to look the same even if the platform does not have the document's fonts installed. Note that some fonts do not support embedding and will not embed even when this option is checked.

Source: ArcGIS Desktop

Chris Donohue, GISP

Re: Bitmap picture marker symbol do not export to pdf

AntoineCantin — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 13:19:43 GMT

Thanks again, but the bitmap markers in question do not contain any character/font symbols... Most of the time, they appear in the legend but not in the map itself.

Re: Bitmap picture marker symbol do not export to pdf

Salmon_ArmBC — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 22:09:20 GMT

Are the bitmap markers symbolizing a point feature class/shapefile or are they part of an annotation group in the map?

Re: Bitmap picture marker symbol do not export to pdf

AntoineCantin — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 22:35:58 GMT

They are symbplizing shapefile points.

Re: Bitmap picture marker symbol do not export to pdf

Salmon_ArmBC — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 22:39:43 GMT

OK. In that case, I don't know what to tell you!

Re: Bitmap picture marker symbol do not export to pdf

AntoineCantin — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 22:06:10 GMT

Only workaround I found: using .png files... Not great, because you can't change the color of the marker in ArcGIS, you have to use another software. This problem is pretty anoying, someone at ESRI should look at this bitmap / pdf export issue.

Re: Bitmap picture marker symbol do not export to pdf

PamelaLocke1 — Wed, 02 Aug 2017 00:45:30 GMT

Did you ever find a solution? I have .png files as picture symbols for a point feature class, and when i try to export it to a pdf, some of them show up and some don't.....I have no idea why, but I really need this to work!

Re: Bitmap picture marker symbol do not export to pdf

archshej — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 04:24:50 GMT

I realise this is an old post, but there is still no solution for this in ArcGIS Desktop. The only way I managed to get the symbols in is through PDF editor. ArcGIS Pro seems better at handling pictures markers.

Re: Bitmap picture marker symbol do not export to pdf

Mai_Ghaly_Elgazzar — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 08:00:05 GMT

This update from Esri support that which confirm this problem and solution for it to import your map into ArcGIS Pro:

https://support.esri.com/en/technical-article/000008590

I do a workaround for this problem but in limited cases as populating legend or simple maps with a limited number of symbols, to add those markers pictures symbols manually one by one as embedded pictures to the layout so when export your pdf it will work fine. another solution but this should be on Adobe to export from ArcMap 2 versions with the same size and resolution "recommended 300dpi" one with. PNG extension and the other with. PDF extension, and combine the missing pictures from png to pdf at adobe illustrator or Photoshop then save your pdf.