Preview is displaying images as blank inside PDFs

[captaingod]

As you can see in the image below, the image is missing from the page. Only some of the images are missing and when viewing the same file in chrome or acrobat reader it shows all images normally so the problem seems to be isolated to preview. The file used to work fine before updating to mojave (worked fine in high sierra).
This happens in other files as well, they're mostly big PDFs (<200 MB).

So far I've tried to: delete the preview container / caches.
Reinstall the OS. Use safe mode.
Edit: forgot to mention I also tried opening it with acrobat and ‘saving as’ which didn’t help either.



I've attached a page from the one of the effected files.
I'm using the latest version of mojave (10.14.1) on a late 2016 mac pro with touch bar.

View attachment test.pdf

 

[usagora]

That's odd. I'm curious to try opening this on my Mac when I get home tonight. For others reading this thread, this is what the above PDF should look like:

 

[ferrarr]

Wouldn't giving us the website/page help us understand better?

 

[captaingod]

Wouldn't giving us the website/page help us understand better?

The problem is with a PDF, not a website. I apologize if this wasn’t clear. I uploaded only one page because it is a 400MB file.

 

[MacInWin]

But the challenge for us trying to help is that the pdf you uploaded HAS the problem, so we'll never see anything BUT that problem. However, if we had the URL or location of the image, we could see if our own version of what should come from wherever the image was has the same issue. That would let us separate the download process from the Preview process to see which is creating the error.

 

[pm-r]

The problem is with a PDF, not a website. I apologize if this wasn’t clear. I uploaded only one page because it is a 400MB file.

Your attached image opens and displays as one would expect as shown in Jonathan's #3 Post.
I'm running Mavericks 10.9.5 and viewing it in Preview.

You got a bit of a weird one, and I would suspect Mojave. But you've sure done more than enough to try and solve the problem, and I don't know what else to suggest.


PS: one user with a similar problem on another forum ended up having success using Skim.app
https://skim-app.sourceforge.io

I had never heard of it, but that's not unusual.







- Patrick
======

 

[MacInWin]

I just installed Adobe Reader into Mojave and it opens the file accurately. It must be a bug in Preview. The quick solution for you is to go to Adobe.com, search for Preview and download/install Reader for yourself and use it to open pdfs until Apple fixed Preview.

 

[pm-r]

I just installed Adobe Reader into Mojave and it opens the file accurately. It must be a bug in Preview.

Funny and odd that just a few years ago the general consensus was to lose Adobe reader and just use Preview.

Personally, I've often found that Adobe Reader will often display .PDF files better than Preview.





- Patrick
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[chscag]

Personally, I've often found that Adobe Reader will often display .PDF files better than Preview.

You need both the Adobe Reader and Preview. The reason is that some sites (most often State or Municipal govt sites) will not display or allow downloading of PDFs with Preview. I have run into this right here in Texas when trying to download state or county forms that I needed.

Usually those same sites do not like Safari and while they will open, they display wrong.

 

[captaingod]

But the challenge for us trying to help is that the pdf you uploaded HAS the problem, so we'll never see anything BUT that problem. However, if we had the URL or location of the image, we could see if our own version of what should come from wherever the image was has the same issue. That would let us separate the download process from the Preview process to see which is creating the error.

The reason I didn't provide the link is that I got it from some shady PDFs site and I don't remember which one. I tried downloading the same book from a different source and it didn't help (both versions of the book display fine in chrome or adobe so I am pretty sure the problem is isolated to some element of mac OS). Anyway, I've uploaded with this post a page from the PDF which does not have the problem.

Your attached image opens and displays as one would expect as shown in Jonathan's #3 Post.
I'm running Mavericks 10.9.5 and viewing it in Preview.

You got a bit of a weird one, and I would suspect Mojave. But you've sure done more than enough to try and solve the problem, and I don't know what else to suggest.


PS: one user with a similar problem on another forum ended up having success using Skim.app
https://skim-app.sourceforge.io

I had never heard of it, but that's not unusual.







- Patrick
======

Funny enough, I already tried skim and it has the same problem as well. I believe this is since they both use the same part of the software that's causing the issue. I do believe you're right about mojave being the culprit as the file worked fine in earlier versions of mac.

I just installed Adobe Reader into Mojave and it opens the file accurately. It must be a bug in Preview. The quick solution for you is to go to Adobe.com, search for Preview and download/install Reader for yourself and use it to open pdfs until Apple fixed Preview.

This, unfortunately, has been my solution. But adobe reader is so chunky - I am not much of a perfectionist but when working with books and scrolling through hundreds of pages it does hurt my productivity when compared to preview.


Anyway since the bug is probably isolated to mojave I guess there isn't much left to do but use an alternative to preview (any suggestions on that are welcome since). I reported the bug to apple and hopefully it will be resolved (although scouring the internet for people with a similar problem haven't yield any results so I am skeptical).
Thanks for all your help.

View attachment test working.pdf

 

[ferrarr]

Do you have Flash installed on your Mac?

 

[pm-r]

I do believe you're right about mojave being the culprit as the file worked fine in earlier versions of mac.

You might want to let Apple know and provide them with samples and details through their feedback site.





- Patrick
======

 

[chscag]

I just opened the file with Preview and it looks okay. (I'm using Mojave 10.14.1.) I also opened it with the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader and it looks even better. So... I do not think Mojave is at fault, however, there is something else going on?

 

[MacInWin]

That is curious, Charlie. I have Mojave 10.14.1, Preview 10.1 and it does NOT appear correctly for me. Wonder what's different between you and me?

 

[ferrarr]

Is Adobe Flash installed anyone?

- - - Updated - - -

Is Adobe Flash installed anyone? Or, no content blockers enabled?

 

[MacInWin]

I have flash installed and content blockers, but the content blocker doesn't block preview, just the browsers. And there is no message about needing flash to see the pdf. Not sure flash is involved at all. Could be, but it's a stretch to see how.

 

[ferrarr]

Is Adobe Flash installed anyone?

- - - Updated - - -

Is Adobe Flash installed anyone? Or, no content blockers enabled?

Ok, that was weird.

I replied, and went back to the "New Posts" screen. Then I wanted to add the content blocker question to it, so I hit the back arrow, and it never posted my original reply. So I added on to it, and then it showed up after Jakes reply (post #16)?

 

[ferrarr]

I have flash installed and content blockers, but the content blocker doesn't block preview, just the browsers. And there is no message about needing flash to see the pdf. Not sure flash is involved at all. Could be, but it's a stretch to see how.

Are you saying Safari, is using Preview, or you're opening Preview, and the image opens inside of that ok? I've only been using Safari, but I don't have Flash, and if all the others having issues don't have Flash, the image, could be Flash?

 

[MacInWin]

I downloaded the test.pdf that the OP posted. Tried to open it in Preview as a pdf, get what he showed in post 1, the text but no picture. Preview (and pdf, for that matter) don't use Flash. What are you using to open the .pdf file?

 

[pm-r]

Is Adobe Flash installed anyone?
… … …

I wouldn't be surprised if having Adobe Flash installed would make viewing the PDF display a lot better.

Good thinking Bob.






- Patrick
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