Hi Peter,

It's likely as Brynn says a group of objects including the rasterized shadow. 

Rasterization is a common occurrence when SVG files are converted to formats that don't support SVG filters. There wouldn't be a big issue if the scale of the image were large enough for posters.

I'd try to remove the shadow (keeping the letters) and scale the artwork up to poster size. Then add a shadow and save the SVG as a working-file.  Save a *copy* to PDF for the print shop. The shadow will be rasterized at the high resolution, so it should look ok.

In the future, you can return to the svg working-file to use it for other purposes (brochures/letterhead/web-graphics/etc.).

Have a nice day.
TD

On Sun, Apr 14, 2019 at 6:39 PM Peter Flynn <peter@...3371....> wrote:
On 14/04/2019 21:53, brynn wrote:
> Hi Peter,
>         We'd need to see the PDF or SVG file, to be able to give
> specific instructions.  Generally, you would use the status bar to find
> out which objects are raster and which are vector.   When you select
> something with the Selection tool, the status bar tells you what kind of
> object it is.  If the status bar says "Image...." it's a raster object. 
> If it says "Path....", it's vector.  If it says "Group...." you need to
> look inside the group.

I would need to ask the owner for permission to share the file
publically, which I will do. I can of course send it to an individual,
but I don't want to take up others' valuable time.

When I click with the Selection tool on one of the pixels of the
drop-shadow, all it does is select the entire image. But I know the
letters at least are paths because I can click on them with the Path tool.

Most likely the owner has passed the file through so many processes that
it is no longer editable.

>         Then replace the rasterized objects.  I wouldn't delete the
> rasterized drop shadow right away, because you can use it to get the
> right color for the new shadow.

If I could actually select the drop-shadow it would be a start.

>         There are a couple of ways to realize a drop shadow. [...]

Thanks very much for the pointers. With time pressure, it may be simpler
just to create a giant bitmap with the drop-shadow blurred sufficiently
so that the pixels are not noticeable. And worry about turning the image
back into a real vector later.

Peter

> -----Original Message----- From: Peter Flynn
> Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2019 6:29 AM
> To: inkscape-user@lists.sourceforge.net
> Subject: [Inkscape-user] Repairing a pixellated drop-shadow gradient
>
> I have inherited a vector PDF and an SVG file of a logo made from
> outlined letters with a gradated drop-shadow (see
> http://xml.silmaril.ie/downloads/letterlogo.png for enlarged PNG fragment).
>
> When the logo is enlarged (eg for use on a poster), the drop-shadow
> shows up pixellated. Both files exhibit the identical problem. When
> edited, the drop-shadow is indeed made up of pixels. I assume in my
> ignorance that it was passed through some software at some stage in its
> past which concretized the drop-shadow as graded pixels.
>
> How would I go about removing the drop-shadow entirely, and replacing it
> with one of identical color and extent, but done in such a way as to
> withstand enlargement without deterioration?
>
> Peter
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Inkscape-user mailing list
> Inkscape-user@lists.sourceforge.net
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