My PDF text did not come through when I imported as vector. Why?

PDFs store live (un-outlined) text as font references rather than as paths, so there is nothing for PatchForge to import as geometry. The fix is the standard prepress one: in Illustrator choose Type ▸ Create Outlines and re-export. PatchForge warns you when it spots live text. Importing as High-res image instead always reproduces the text correctly. The same applies to gradients, embedded photos, and clipping masks — you are told what a vector import will drop rather than finding out on the machine.