I've got an object with a drop shadow (this shape is diagonal in the corner of a page), and it is placed on top of another object containing a gradient fill. When exporting to pdf, the shape with the drop shadow produces it's own box within its bounds over the top of the gradient fill. If I use a solid colour not a gradient it works fine. I tried posting image examples but the post never got through the moderators. Is there some setting that needs to be in place for placing shadows over objects with gradients?

Here is what the file looks like in Corel - http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/9431/expectedgj4.jpg

Here is what it turns out like when exported to pdf - http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/7109/resultjz1.jpg

 Hi,

is the pink area made of cmyk colors, or are there some RGB involved?

when exporting to PDF, which method do you use, and color mgmt. settings? try X1a.

JD 

As far as I'm aware the entire document is cmyk, is there a way to confirm this?

I will try your exporting advice. I'm new to corel so still finding out all the quirks.

File | document info | Fills

"Quirks?" :-) Prepress is loaded with Quirks, no matter what software you use.

The doc is definitely cmyk. I'm using "File > Publish to PDF"and no matter what setting I chose I get the same box showing up. This does not happen if the background object is a solid colour, only when it is a gradient fill. Pulling my hair out over this one!

I took a new grab to show the problem. Here's what it looks like in Corel http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/3116/coreljq0.jpg.

And here after I export to PDF http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/4104/pdfcd2.jpg

Hi Apap,

If you are in a rush to make this happen, try:

1. save project to new file name

2. separate the shadow from the control object, and select shadow and elements under it.

3. Convert to CMYK bitmap, perhaps 400 DPI to main good resolution on the white curve shape above. 

4. pub to PDF and see .

JD 

When publish, change your PDF compatibility to Acrobat 5.0 or higher.

To Change Compatibility

1. Go to File >> Publish to PDF…
2. Click Settings… button
3. Click the General tab
4. From Compatibility list box, choose Acrobat 5.0 (or higher)

Please, tell us how things turn out.

NOTE

Make sure that the compatibility level is suitable for the output destination

 My husband and I are both designers and have battled this issue for 4 years.  We have tried everything from converting the shadows to bitmap to rearranging layers and could not solve this one.  We just tried changing the compatibility level to 5.0 and this definitely worked!  Thank you so much.  We are very grateful.

Do not battle, for years, alone. We are always here; come and share :)