PDF downloads that actually download
A contractor told us last week that his proposal just wouldn't download to a PDF. No error, no spinner stuck, nothing — he'd click Download PDF and simply never get a file. Turns out he was right, and it wasn't his fault.
What was happening
Building a PDF takes a few seconds — BidCraft has to render the whole proposal, then staple your certificates onto the back. Some browsers, Safari most of all, will refuse a download that shows up that long after you clicked, on the theory that a site shouldn't be able to push files at you out of nowhere. It doesn't warn you. It just drops it.
Three things changed.
There's a Save PDF button now
Once the file is built, a small bar appears in the corner: PDF ready — didn't get it? Save PDF.
If your download already landed, ignore it. It clears itself after half a minute. If nothing showed up, tap Save PDF and the file saves immediately — that click counts as you asking for it, which is the part browsers care about.
Your credentials come along from either menu
There are two Download PDF buttons on a project — one in the proposal's ··· menu, one in the Actions menu at the top. They didn't behave the same. The one up top was leaving your insurance certificate, license, and warranty out of the file.
Both now produce the identical PDF, paperwork attached.
If it genuinely fails, you'll hear about it
Before, a failed PDF was completely silent — the button finished and nothing happened. Now you get a plain message telling you it didn't work so you can try again instead of clicking a third time and wondering.
Where to look
- Any project → Download PDF, in either menu.
- Badges, credentials, and portfolio photos on proposals — what gets attached and how to pick it.