PROBLEM

Vector shapes are distorted or snapped to a grid when exported to PDF

Last Published: April 25, 2020

Description

Vector shapes are distorted or snapped to a grid when exported to PDF.

For example, this is how the feature looks in ArcMap Layout, zoomed in at approximately 3000%:
[O-Image] Feature as viewed in ArcMap Layout zoomed in at 3200%
This is how the same feature looks in the exported 300dpi PDF at 3200%:
[O-Image] Feature displayed in PDF at 3200%

Cause

This most likely occurs when viewing the PDF at a high zoom percentage. For example, 1000% or higher. This happens with PDFs generated from any application.

Even when exporting a pure vector map to PDF, do not expect the vectors to maintain perfect geometry when zooming in to a percentage much greater than the output resolution.

Solution or Workaround

Increase the export resolution and do not zoom in to such high resolutions on the PDF display.

    Article ID: 000009838

    Software:
    • ArcMap

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