Preview rotation issues

This seems to be a problem with this particular PDF file. There is something funky that "MicroStation 8.11.9.829 by Bentley Systems, Incorporated" did when it created the file. I agree that Preview should correctly handle this. You can file a bug report at https://bugreport.apple.com. But it would probably be best to test this in Monterey before filing a bug report.

For now, you will need to use some other PDF viewer if you want to rotate these PDF files. I tried Master PDF Editor (https://code-industry.net/masterpdfeditor/) and it didn't have any rotation problems.

Thanks.

On my mac, I see the same problem with the pdf that you posted.

Just a few bits of information that I gathered:

I noticed that it is created using pdf version 1.7.

Preview may not support all the features of this version.

I printed this to PDF using Preview, in the hope that the resulting file might be rotated. It produces a version 1.3 PDF but alas that too cannot be rotated. Curiously, the printed file came out upside down. Likewise, I selected all, Command-C, Command-N and the copied file also came out upside down. Maybe there is something in how the orientation is registered in the file that Preview is tripping on.

On the other hand, every other PDF file that I tried (all vector files), including version 1.5 files produced by xelatex using texlive 2020 CAN be rotated. Even on a 70 page book, I could select a bunch of random pages, and they rotated as expected.

AFAICT I do not have other files using version 1.7 to test. I don't think that this is just something with being 1.7, but in the contents or metadata of the files.

Let's hope, as etresoft, said, that Monterey helps.

That's weird. I cannot reproduce it.

Have you tried restarting? (probably you did)

See if the problem also happens in Safe Mode; and see if it happens in a new user account, or the guest account.

Same as Luis here. While awating for a solution, why not downloading Adobe's Acrobat DC (not Pro version)? You can uninstall it when not needed anymore.

In addition to what etresoft said, you may also try printing this file to pdf. It is possible that the new pdf thus created may work with rotation.

Would it be possible to share one file that exhibits the problem? (assuming that the contents are not sensitive or private, of course)?

The video you linked to is private, so we can't see it.

What you are experiencing is not normal behavior.

Please run Etrecheck and post its full report here. Use the "additional text" button and paste the report into the text box.

Luis Sequeira1 wrote:

Would it be possible to share one file that exhibits the problem? (assuming that the contents are not sensitive or private, of course)?

https://www.peelregion.ca/public-works/design-standards/drawings/sewer/pdf/2-5-2.pdf

teh_pp wrote:

Sorry, changed vide to puclic. Same link.

Thanks.

Does this happen with specific pdf, or any pdf?

If you take an image, save it or print to pdf, then does that pdf also exhibit the same problem?

teh_pp wrote:

It is not a problem with this particular file only. I work as an engineer, so I open many P&ID's, layouts, and CAD files. So far, I've noticed that this happens for many (if not all) vector graphics, but it does not appear with rasters pdfs. I think it may be a problem with CAD exported files.

It is definitely not all vector graphics. It is only from PDFs produced by that specific software. You are just unlucky enough to be working with a lot of those files.

This problem lasts for a few months. I thought Apple was aware of it, and a fix is on the way, but I guess I was wrong...

Why did you think Apple was aware of it? Even if you know there has been a bug report filed, you never know when, or if, a fix is on the way. If a fix is on the way, it will be in Monterey only.

Luis Sequeira1 wrote:

Let's hope, as etresoft, said, that Monterey helps.

I never, ever said that Monterey will help. I said that is someone thinks they have found a bug in Preview, they shouldn’t waste their time filing bug reports about it unless they test with a Monterey. Big Sur, and everything that came before it, is dead. Long live Monterey, at least until next June.