Possible to use vector files on a page?

without using Flash?

[neophyte]

Hi all -

I've got a project that necessitates the use of scaled-down versions of large General Arrangement plans of a ship (these are physically HUGE files - typically 36x48").

I've received the original CAD drawings in .pdf format which I can successfully open in Adobe Illustrator. Once Open, I scale the entire drawing to the necessary size (about 600px wide by whatever it ends up being) and then export as a gif. The result is pretty much mud - lines become very indistinct. Exporting as .png is better, but still not great.

Previous to exporting everything is still crisp and clear which is the end objective. So... is there any way to use a native .ai (vector style) file as a site graphic to keep everything crisp and readable?

If not, is there any software "out there" that will retain the visual readability of massivly-downscaled vector files in a format that is compatible with a site?

Neophyte

[Candid India]

Dear Neophyte,

Not very sure, but you may try using image optimisers from xat.com. They have a trial version if you want to give a try.

Best wishes,

Prashant

[vincevincevince]

Apart from flash, no. I recommend that you use .ai to increase all the line widths massively before reducing the size. Then don't reduce it to 600px, reduce it to 200px and call it a thumbnail. Click the thumbnail to open the full original file as .pdf format.

[Little_G]

Hi,

From Illustrator you can export to SVG which is supported natively by FireFox and in Internet Explorer via Adobe's SVG Reader plugin.

Andrew

[neophyte]

Thanks to Candid India and VinceVinceVince for their input.

Andrew - what does this mean for the end user though? Do they need the SGV plug in, or is this something that I can supply transparently (without the user having to do anything) from my clients hosting site?

Neophyte.

[Little_G]

Hi,

As I said, with FireFox, the user won't have to do anything. With Internet Explorer. Adobe's SVG plugin is installed, I think, with Adobe Reader, which most people have already. Of course if you are using a browser/platform not supported by Adobe then you won't be able to view the image.

Andrew

[monkeythumpa]

If you are going to scale it, Illustrator has an option "Scale line weights" or something like that.

Why not leave it in PDF?

[Brad_H]

>Previous to exporting everything is still crisp and clear

If it looks good on the screen, you could always do a screen capture and save it to a gif. There must be something wrong with the export you are doing.

I would try using Adobe PhotoShop to open the .pdf, then save to whatever format you want. PhotoShop will ask you what size you want to make it, and rasterize it to that size.