Topic awaiting preservation: vector graphics in pdf

ok, im creating several pdfs with plans from an architectural project. and im getting these plans in pdf or a CAD data.

so, i'm usually doing my pdfs with photoshop. and i was wondering: if i open an existing pdf file with PS and take it to another PS-document and then save it out as pdf, is it still vector graphics or is it getting rastered?

in short words: can PS create vector pdfs?

and: how can i get the vector data out of an existing pdf?

Well Photoshop tends to rasterize any pdf and eps you use File-->Open on, with the exception to pdfs created with photoshop where layers stay vector? (very weird). If you have Illustrator, you can copy and paste as pixels, paths, or shapes. But all of the line style and fills are lost you only get the basic path.


Going the other way is a little better, and it depends on how well your target program handles PDF files.

If I create a text layer with the word "test" and a vector shape layer of a red circle, and save as a PDF. Then choose save vector data and embed fonts. I can load the image into illustrator 10, I do experance a font error message, It does load but it seems to brake the fonts into single characters, editable but reverts them to a basic tranparent appearance. The shape layer appears to transfer just fine. If you convert the type to a shape prior saving in Photoshop the basic appearans trasfers to Illustrator ok but it is no longer editable as type. My guess is Layer effects would cause problems but I haven't played much with it.

Your best bet to get vector data out on an existing pdf is to try loading it in illustrator 10 it's pdf native format is now PDF. If you don't have illustrator and would like to try it, send me I could give it a try.

You have sparked my intrest I may do a little more expermenting this distilller or ghostscript doing the conversion.

jstuart

yes, i have illustrator. gotta try it. thanks

seems as if PS isnt that comfortable when it comes to pdfs. it only saves text in vector data. nothing else.

i didnt get AI to install...

but i tried Freehand and it worked very well!