[Qgis-user] PDF output - file size

Tony Shepherd (FarmMaps NZ) tony at farmmaps.nz
Wed Aug 5 13:02:55 PDT 2020


Thanks, guys for the helpful information and suggestion.

 

So my understanding is that the PDF file output is now using vector (as opposed to raster) for fills and font markers to increase quality.  This is great, but I'm guessing the obvious trade-off for quality is an increase in file size.

 

I think it would be worthwhile having an option to perhaps alter the quality of the output to be able to produce a “horses for courses” approach to the output dependent on the intended use of the outputted map.  For example a really good quality glossy print for display or a PDF to use on a mobile app where a larger file is not that convenient.

 

So, if people agree that it’s a good idea then I’m happy to suggest a future enhancement to allow some control over the output quality somehow (reduced DPI maybe?).

 

Cheers

Tony

 

 

From: Ryan Brook (Perth) <Ryan.Brook at advisian.com> 
Sent: Sunday, 2 August 2020 4:17 am
To: Nyall Dawson <nyall.dawson at gmail.com>; Tony Shepherd (FarmMaps NZ) <tony at farmmaps.nz>
Cc: qgis-user <qgis-user at lists.osgeo.org>
Subject: RE: [Qgis-user] PDF output - file size

 

Hi Tony,

 

Consider using multiply blending mode for your map in the rendering menu of item properties. 

This will lose transparency but reduce file size (could be an order of magnitude decrease if you have many raster layers loaded).

 



 

Not sure if the simplify geometries option will help you:



 

Regards,

Ryan

-----Original Message-----
From: Nyall Dawson <nyall.dawson at gmail.com <mailto:nyall.dawson at gmail.com> > 
Sent: Friday, 31 July 2020 7:26 AM
To: Tony Shepherd (FarmMaps NZ) <tony at farmmaps.nz <mailto:tony at farmmaps.nz> >
Cc: qgis-user <qgis-user at lists.osgeo.org <mailto:qgis-user at lists.osgeo.org> >
Subject: Re: [Qgis-user] PDF output - file size

 

On Fri, 31 Jul 2020 at 09:20, Tony Shepherd (FarmMaps NZ) < <mailto:tony at farmmaps.nz> tony at farmmaps.nz> wrote:

> 

> Hi All

> 

> 

> 

> Hope all is well.  I’m really liking QGIS 3.14!!

> 

> 

> 

> I have a question re the file size of PDF outputs.  Since upgrading to 3.14, the file size of PDF outputs seems to have grown by a substantial amount.  If I have SVG or font marker fills, even more so.  An A3 map, typically was 5mb or so, now it is outputting at close to 30mb.  Id then normally use Acrobat to compress and get it down a bit without losing any discernable quality (but retain geo info), but even then it's still over 20mb.

 

Previously svg or font marker fills were exported as raster patterns, which resulted in a loss of quality when the PDFs were printed or zoomed in to. Since 3.14 we now output marker fills using vector artwork wherever possible, in order to avoid this loss of quality.

 

> How do others deal with this issue?  Is there anywhere that I can have some control over the DPI of the output etc, much like the old days when we hade Acrobat installed as a stand-alone printer driver?

 

There's no option for this in current versions, but it's worth filing a feature request!

 

Nyall

 

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