Hello everyone on this thread. I thought I'd jump in to provide some clarity on this topic.
Bottom line: we definitely want an option to reduce file size while still maintaining the vector data as vector with native transparency.
We weren't able to achieve this goal in time for 2.3, so what will be available at the 2.3 release is a rasterization option "Output as Image" - which provides some relief for file sizes in the case where vector data volume (e.g. number of vertices/segments) is very high and therefore creates very large PDFs.
To clarify some of the myriad concerns brought up on this thread since Jeff's post:
1. There should be no degradation (other than of course any aliasing encountered due to the resolution of rasterization vs pure vector features) with the "output as image" option. Not sure why this is being mentally conflated with Sharing to a Web Map, but that's probably where this misconception comes from.
2. EAP = early adopter program, akin to Beta. If you're in the Beta program you're already aware, if not, ask your Esri rep if you want to participate. We highly value Beta program participation as it provides great feedback for all areas of the software, especially for users with unique workflows or data not easily emulated in test environments.
3. Yes of course we want to do more than the stair-stepped downsampling that was "built in" in ArcMap, as that was the bug we strove to fix in Pro exports in addition to native support for transparency. The "stair-stepping" in ArcMap came "for free" as a result of Microsoft GDI's architecture. Many people reported this "stair-stepping" aliasing as a BUG in ArcMap.
4. Output As Image is of course not the only solution - but we wanted to give our users some option to use to reduce filesize in the interim before the vector option was completed. As Vincent so astutely pointed out, it's not a panacea, it's merely another option to try which will help in cases of extreme volumes of vector data. As an aside: Many users are already creating "raster" PDFs by using Adobe Acrobat's "optimize PDF" feature, which has myriad options beyond a simple rasterization.
I hope this clears up some of the confusion on this thread. Rest assured we are working on improvements to the ArcGIS Pro Graphics Engine and Output Engines at each release, and we appreciate your feedback.
Lastly, keep in mind that the forums here are meant to be a peer-to-peer resource. As such you may not get an immediate response from Esri employees. We take all of your feedback, ideas site upvotes, support incidents and many other factors into account when prioritizing work for each release for our teams of developers, so I always like to say "if you see something say something".
HOW CAN YOU BE SURE YOUR FEEDBACK IS HEARD IN A TIMELY MANNER BY THE APPROPRIATE PARTIES?
- If you want to report behavior that seems to be a bug, contact Esri support.
- you will actually get a "paper trail" or a BUG number that can be referenced in future correspondence
- if your bug has already been reported, your repro cases/information can be added to the information already available, which may help us resolve the issue sooner.
- Your BUG number will show up in the "issues resolved" report in each release's release notes, confirming a resolution.
- If you want to request a new feature, please use ArcGIS Ideas
- This allows community users to support/upvote your idea if they too have the same requirement
- This gives our teams direct feedback on demand for a given enhancement
- This allows you a forum with which to give use cases/reasons for the additional requirement beyond a simple incident report.
- You'll see your "idea" in the "Ideas on the Move" post that Kory Kramer does at each release. For reference, you can take a look at the "ideas" that are implemented, or even those that are moved to "in product plan" for the 2.2 release: https://community.esri.com/community/arcgis-ideas/blog/2018/07/03/arcgis-desktop-ideas-on-the-move-j... and a similar post will be created when ArcGIS Pro 2.3 is released.
Thanks again!
Regards,
Jeremy W.
Esri