2

In order to export partly transparent symbology to PDF in QGIS as vectors, the symbology itself needs to have transparency – if the whole layer is sat to be transparent, the symbology gets rasterized.

Having the symbology itself as transparent (which does export as vectors correctly), however, creates the effect of multiplying, increasing when elements overlap – up to a point where they no longer look transparent:

enter image description here

​

This is in stark contrast to having the layer itself as transparent, as below:

enter image description here

Unfortunately, however, this does not export as vectors. Is there a way to turn off multiplying of symbology transparency, getting the same effect as if the whole layer is transparent, in order to be able to export uniformed transparency as vectors?

Improve this question
1
  • From a cartographical point of view your symbology is problematic, since the symbols overlap. Can't you find a symbology which avoids this and thus also gets rid of your problem? – Erik Feb 11 at 13:19
1

If you export to geopdf then it won't force the layer to be rasterized as a result of layer-wide transparency or blending modes.

Improve this answer
2
  • With this any layers with layer-wide transparency do export as vectors – but as opaque ones, losing transparency instead. Anything changed under layer rendering seems to break vector exports in one way or another. – Россарх Feb 13 at 15:49
  • Perhaps it depends on qgis version and the PDF reader application, but it works for me! – ndawson Feb 13 at 20:00
0

You can achieve some kind of transparency effect using Blending modes - see documentation. You have to set blending mode for the layer, not the feature. You can experiment with the different options - in the following example, I used multipy, but also darker would give good results:

enter image description here

Improve this answer
2
  • This does provide a uniformed transparency effect, similar to setting the whole layer as transparent – but is also getting rasterized with a PDF export, unfortunately. I guess that any manipulations under layer rendering actually rasterize the symbology. The question of getting multiplying of symbology transparency under control remains. – Россарх Feb 11 at 15:23
  • 1
    So a workaround would be to export the basemap and the features separately and than make the transparency settings in an external graphic software. – Babel Feb 11 at 15:32

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.