Vector representation describes an image as a series of lines or shapes, with some regions filled with a solid color or a gradient shade. Vector formats work well for images with simple shapes, shading, and coloration such as charts and graphs, and line art such as computer-aided design drawings.

If opened with a text editor, vector files can look like programs. They typically contain English-like commands and data in ASCII. The format files are more compact than bitmap files. For example, a line can be described by a start point and end point, while a bitmap describes every point used to make up the line.

PDF graphics are supported in PDF output generated by the PTC APP engine. When creating a graphic element in source, select .pdf from the list of file types presented by the Locate Graphic File to Reference dialog box.

When performing a File > Print Preview action, PDF graphics are visible if the environment is set to publish via Arbortext Publishing Engine.

Refer to set graphicfilter in the Arbortext Command Language Reference for information on how to configure the list of file types available in the file picker.

As a default, a single page of a selected PDF is inserted as a graphic. If no page information is provided, the first page is extracted and inserted as a default. The value of any attribute for the graphic element that has the View role represents a specific page to be inserted. Refer to Configuring a Graphic Element for further information on how to configure the graphic element’s attribute in Arbortext Styler.

Scaling set for the graphic element applies.

PDF graphics can be inserted into generated text, as the content of a _gentextgraphic element. The same method of defining page number information with an attribute with a View role applies. Refer to Inserting Graphics in Generated Text for further information.