Automating/Speeding Up PDF Production

I use Illustrator CS5 and in the course of one day I might make 10-20 PDFs (through the 'Save As' function utilizing Presets).
I'm curious to know of any budget-minded solutions to automate this process or at least speed it up. In my dreams I would love to be able to drop a file on a hotfolder and have a PDF pop out of the other end but short of Nexus/Esko solutions which are prohibitively expensive I am unsure how viable this is.
We also make a point of NOT saving our files with PDF Compatibility due to the longer Save/Open times and significantly bigger files that this creates. I accept this this may be a major stumbling block in my quest to find a hotfolder solution.
Sean

I don't have CS5 but in CS4>Scripting>Sample Scripts>JavaScript>Miscellaneous is a script which can be used to resave a whole folder of AI files to PDFs. Check it out.

Similar Messages

How can I speed up PDF generation?

I am working on 2 manuals in Frame 10, unstructured. I have installed all the latest FM patches. The smaller manual is 270 pages with 200 graphics inserted by reference. It takes 2.5 hours to "Save as PDF." The larger manual is 500 pages, 250 graphics and takes 3 hours to "Save as PDF".
I have converted graphics to smaller .jpg files. I have freed up as much space on my PC as possible - it has 4GB memory and 300 GB hard drive space available, dual processor with i3 chip. I delete Temp files and reboot before creating PDF.
If I turn off graphics (Esc+v+v), the PDF is created in just a few minutes.
What else can I do to produce a complete PDF with graphics in a reasonable amount of time?

I am a lone writer working on a single PC. No network drives. I open all files in the book before creating PDF.
Many of the graphics are product photos - how to assemble, etc. I was provided with .psd and .jpg versions. Originally inserted the .psd ones, but then consultant advised us to use the .jpg instead. PDF generation is extremely long either way. Also had numerous huge .tif files that I saved to much smaller .jpg.
Manuals will be localized and printed. What type of graphics are advised in this case - for good print quality and efficient PDF generation?
doolie
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:33:15 -0700
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: How can I speed up PDF generation?
    Re: How can I speed up PDF generation?
    created by Error7103 in FrameMaker General Discussion - View the full discussion
Are the Frame files and/or the imported objects coming from network servers? If so, you might get a speed up by saving to manual to the local machine prior to printing, and printing to PostScript, where the .ps file is on the local machine. Then Distill separately (if you have the full Acrobat product). Distilling separately* at least frees up Frame for that part of the rendering. I have converted graphics to smaller .jpg files. From what? And I wouldn't have bet that using JPEG would help. The files may be smaller, but they still need to be filtered for export to Ps or PDF, and if they are raster, they may be subject to further processing during PDF generation based on the subsampling specified. You might try sending the objects as EPS (which requires minimal processing into Ps), and you might try making sure that raster images are already at the desired dpi, and require no further downsampling in the rendering flow.

Getting File Name in Automator workflow - combine PDF

I am using Automator to combine 2 PDF files.
I would like to inherit one of the file names in the new PDF and append a standard text to the front of the file name.
I am not sure how to do this. I can combine the PDFs the way I would like, but I am not sure how to plick the file name.
my workflow is as follows.
Folder Action targets folder where 1st PDF is added(I want this FILE NAME).
Ger Specified finder item selects 2nd PDF to be combined.
Sort Finder Items makes sure the new PDF pages are ordered properly.
Combine PDF Pages combines the pages.
Move Finder Items saves the files where i want it.
Name single item is whre i thought to add my standard text plus the variable of FILE NAME.
Open File in mail to set up my email.
Anyone can help with this?
thanks,
Aaron

Here is an automator workflow that does something similar so I believe you can adapt to your needs. This workflow is setup as a service workflow. It will combine PDFs in the order in which they are selected/clicked via the Shift key. The default name of the combined output file will be the name of the first file clicked. Automator can be activated by CTRL clicking any of the selected PDFs.
1. Service receives PDF files in Finder
2. Automator Action: Run AppleScript
on run {input, parameters}
          display dialog "Files will be combined in the order selected via the Shift key" as text
          return input
end run
3.. Automator Action: Trim input items
keep the first one
you will need to download and install this autotmator action from here:
http://www.menace-enterprises.com/Files/Automator/Actions/Trim%20Input%20Items.d mg
4. Automator Action: Run AppleScript
(* Note & Definitions
This Applescript extracts the basename of the first selected file without its .pdf extension
"path_basename_ext" is full path and name, e.g. User/desktop/file.pdf
"NmExt" is filename with extension, e.g. file.pdf
"baseName" is the base filename without extension, e.g. file
"Ext" is the file's extension, e.g. pdf
on run {input, parameters}
          set path_basename_ext to input
          tell (info for path_basename_ext) to set {NmExt, Ext} to {name, name extension}
          set baseName to text 1 thru ((get offset of "." & Ext in NmExt) - 1) of NmExt
baseName
          return baseName
end run
5. Automator Action: Set Value of Variable
define baseName as the variable
6. Automator Action: Get selected finder items
Options: check ignore input
7. Automator Action: Combine PDF pages
choose Combine by appending
8. Automator Action: Move Finder Items
choose To: Desktop
Options: check show this action when workflow runs
9. Name Single Items
choose Basename only to: baseName
Options: check show this action when workflow runs
10. Open Finder Items

How can I add a picture to the Automator Action "Watermark PDF Documents.action"

Looks like a bug: under 10.7.2 i cannot add a picture to the Automator Action "Watermark PDF Documents.action".
Works perfectly under 10.6.8.

Its a verified bug (Automator - Watermark PDF Documents).
Please report to http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html
As a workaround, if you saved the Action in SL, option-click the action, navigate to the file "document.wflow", open in TextEdit, search for the key "fileNames" and replace your old image with the new

PDF Production Handbook - not online?

We're getting ready to produce a new series of PDFs that will be linked online, so was looking at the FrameMaker 10 documentation.
It gives a link to a promotional piece to SamarthaVashishtha's PDF Production Handbook, which is about 2 years old.
When I click the link to download the handbook, I get a 404 - Page not available message.
Does anyone know where I could get access to this, or to the information in it?
Thanks

A Google search on "PDF Production Handbook" brings this up as the first
hit:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=pdf%20production%20handbook&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CC cQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.adobe.com%2Fsamartha%2Ffiles%2Fsamartha%2FHandbook%2Fpdf_han dbook.pdf&ei=xER2T_HoE6jg2AWn4dm9DQ&usg=AFQjCNEv1wm0EgLYtIXcJhWKqvDQ_O8bRw
<http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=pdf%20production%20handbook&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CC cQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.adobe.com%2Fsamartha%2Ffiles%2Fsamartha%2FHandbook%2Fpdf_han dbook.pdf&ei=xER2T_HoE6jg2AWn4dm9DQ&usg=AFQjCNEv1wm0EgLYtIXcJhWKqvDQ_O8bRw>

Automator Service: Combine PDFs Then Delete Originals

Hello All,
I've managed to create a service using Automator that combines PDF files, renames the newly created file, and moves it (http://www.documentsnap.com/how-to-combine-pdf-files-in-mac-osx-using-automator- to-make-a-service/).
What I am now trying to figure out is how I could have automator prompt me at the end to ask if I'd like to move the original files (PDFs) to the trash, and then do so upon confirmation. I haven't had any luck figuring this out on my own.
Does anyone out there know if this is possible?
Thanks!

sure, it's possible. what you need to do is:
add in a Set Value of Variable action right at the beginning
at the end, add in an Ask for Confirmation action that asks if they want to delete the original files.
after that add in a Get Value of Variable action for the variable in step 1
then add a Move Finder Items to Trash action
first step stores the passed-in file references in a variable for later use, and passes them on to your script. the second step gets user input, stopping the workflow if the user cancels. the third step recovers the file references stored at the first step, and the last step deletes the files.

Bug in Automator's Combine PDF Pages action?

Hi guys,
I've been playing around with 10.6's new Automator and Services. I decided to make an Automator Service so that if I have some PDFs selected in Finder, I can combine all the pages into one PDF and save it to a location. So I created the following service:
* Get Selected Finder Items
* Combine PDF Pages (appending pages)
* Move Finder Items (to Desktop by default, show this action when the workflow runs)
* Rename file (comes up as Name Single Item in Finder Item Names, show this action when the workflow runs)
I tested this in Automator by selecting some PDFs on my desktop and hitting the Run button; everything worked out well. So I saved it as an Automator Service, only available for PDF files but in all applications (drop down lists at the top of the Automator window).
I noticed however when I ran this workflow as a service, the pages in the resulting PDF file is actually duplicated. For example, if I had page 1 in page1.pdf, and page 2 in page2.pdf, running the service on these two files will produce a PDF with the following pages: page 1, page 2, page 1, page 2.
Does this happen to anyone else in here, or is it just me? I tried saving the workflow as an application, placed it in the Dock, and then dropped my test files on it and it does the same thing. And this happens with other PDF files too.
Is this a bug? Can someone confirm that it happens on their machine too?
Thanks.

Anyone? It doesn't take long to create an Automator workflow with the 4 actions above. Probably 2 minutes max. Can someone test on their machine?
I tried to do the same with my MBP, which I also upgraded to Snow Leopard, and it does the same thing there. For some reason, it works perfectly when the workflow is run within Automator, but when it's exported as an Application or a Service, it duplicates pages.
I tried to submit a bug report to Apple, but I couldn't log in with my current Apple ID -- it shows me an error page to submit a bug report! That's what I've been trying to do in the first place, but it seems the bug report process has bugs that they want you to report on. Chicken and egg scenario methinks.

Problem with a product image/pdf production in Indesign CS5

Hi,
this problem probably has an obvious solution, but I can't figure it out due to my limited experience in using Indesign. I'm trying to export my poster lay-out as pdf, but one of the several product images does not show up in the exporte pdf correctly. Instead of a product image, I only get this white image that is similar to the shape of the product image, but the actual product image is not visible. The product image is a .psd -file and it shows correctly in InDesign document, but not in the exported .pdf file. Could somebody help me to tackle this problem?
BR,
Masa

Hi,
- It shows in the preview mode
- I'm using only one layer in the layout with all the images on it
- The image is not non-printing in the Attributes panel
- Links have no errors and theya re up to date
When I create the PDF via FILE > PRINT, then the problem does not occur, but I have another problem with white margins on both top and bottom of the .pdf-file. ¨
I still would like to create the pdf via Export.
Thank you for your quick reply, what's next?
BR,
Masa

Why is the upload speed for "downloadable product" so slow?

Upload speeds are normal with other adobe services, but when it comes to uploading my product, the speed continually decreases to a crawl, making it impossible to get my product online. It starts slow: at about 20kB/s and then drops to 3kB/s!
Any suggestions?
Thanks.

hi Sanjit,
Using safari, only one one file was being uploaded, no other browsers or windows open. On a whim, decided to add " https:// " before the address after logging into BC... it made an improvement in the upload speed. Am now getting about 50-54kB/s. It's useable, but still slower than it should be.

Automator Action 'New PDF Contact Sheet' returns a blank page

I'm running into some bugs with Automator again. Seems like with each major OS update, things in Automator gets fixed while other things break.
This time, the New PDF Contact Sheet action seems to have lost its functionality.
To recreate the issue, I created a new workflow that , tion input and feeds them right into the single action (new pdf contact sheet), which outputs them to the desktop as a PDF file.
Every time, the pdf file is just a single blank white page. Am I missing something here?
Why is such a basic thing getting borked?

It works for me. Here's the workflow I setup:
If the application is open dropping a folder of photos on it won't work. I get the blank doucment. One has to use the File ➙ Open menu and select the folder of photos.
OT

Append to PDF product

hi,
does anyone know if Adobe has a product that will append different file formats to a single PDF file when user does a bulk printing to the Adobe PDF instead of creating multiple PDFs and selecting the "from multiple files" to combine them which is not practical if we want to combine thousands of documents !

Since we're on the subject of Portfolios, I suppose I might as well mention my situation-I did try posting this under a separate topic, but have had no responses thus far. The medical practice I'm working with has been using Portfolios, of which I know very little.
I'll start over...they've gone ahead and converted all their medical charts to digital images (PDFs). Each chart is divided into sections, such as Patient Info, Progress Notes, Benefits, Treatment Plan and so forth. Every time a patient comes into the office for an appointment, a new page is added to certain parts of the chart (such as Progress Notes) detailing their last visit. Now that all the charts are electronic, this can be done on a computer. So, for a section like, say, Progress Notes, there's all the old charts organized with the most recent one on top. However, that's not the very first page-the very first page is a blank progress note, ready for the patient's next visit.
All they want to be able to do when they fill out a chart is, after it's saved, have it go on top of the chart (as it's now the most recent page) and have a new blank page appear, ready for the next visit. It's like inserting a blank page, but they don't want to do that-they simply want a new blank page to appear and move to the front on top of the most recent page.
Does this make sense? I really could use some help ASAP!

Can Automator Print to PDF?

I want to create a workflow that includes printing a selected file to a PDF. But Automator can't seem to do it. The one command that looked the most promising, "Save as Adobe PDF" won't load. Every time I try to add it to the workflow I get an error message reading "The action 'Save as Adobe PDF' could not be loaded because it is not Universal."
Is there any way to get Automator to print a file to PDF?
Is thre some 3rd party PDF printer I could add to my Printers that it culd then access?

I wonder if this will work for you. I found this in Automator's help:
Process PDF files from the print dialog
You can run a workflow on a PDF file in the Print dialog by saving the workflow as a print plug-in. You can then choose your plug-in from the PDF pop-up menu in the Print dialog. This is useful if you want to do changes to multiple files when printing.
Some sample printing workflows are included with OS X in the Scripts folder inside the Library folder.
Open Automator
Choose File > New.
Click Print Plugin.
Click PDFs in the Library. You can now drag PDF related actions into your workflow.
When you save your finished Print-plug in, you can use it from the print dialog from the application you are printing from.
Choose File > Print. Click the PDF pop-up, then choose Edit Menu, and select your workflow.

Applescript equivalent of Automator's "Combine PDF"?

Folks -
I'm starting to learn Applescript, and working to use it to help automate some workflows in a prepress department.
I'm trying to write a script that (among other things) will combine a folder full of PDFs into one file before passing it along to the next step. This is easy using Automator, but the only Applescript equivalent that I've found calls for Acrobat to launch and combine the files - this seems to run more slowly than the Automator version, which doesn't appear to call Acrobat at all. I thought I'd try scripting Preview to do the same thing, but I didn't realize that Preview isn't scriptable.
Is there a way I can accomplish this without combining Automator and Applescript, or am I out of luck? (I have a sneaking suspicion that this may involve a shell script, which would mean that I'm out of my depth.)
Thanks for any ides on this one..
-Andy Gill

Hi Andy,
I thought I'd try scripting Preview to do the same thing, but I didn't realize that Preview isn't scriptable.
Using [GUI Scripting|http://www.macosxautomation.com/applescript/uiscripting/index.html], it should be relatively easy to write a script that will do what you are asking for. The drawback, however, is that such a script would have to open Preview.app and so could not run inconspicuously in the background.
Maybe you might want to have a look at these two Mac OS X Hints articles:
[10.5: Use Preview to merge or create multi-page PDFs|http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20071114191806624]
[10.6: Combining documents in Snow Leopard's Preview|http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20090915223224601]
Hope it can help.

Automated limitation of PDF access

Dear all,
currently I'm searching for an easy solution for our users which would like to protect PDF from being modified automatically when the save them from Microsoft Word 2013 for example. The only way I found was to open the PDF in Acrobat Professional and set the security settings manually - which causes a high effort in total.
Does anyone of you know an easier, some kind of automated, solution for this problem? I'm thinking of setting these security settings by default or just drag & drop the PDF to some kind of tool, which does this job in seconds.
Thanks for help,
Tobias

Thanks Dave! Your hint pushed me to the right solution. As PDFMaker always terminated my Word, I tried using the printer device "Adobe PDF". In it's setting I was able to set security settings by default. When printing the PDF from Word or any other application via "Adobe PDF", these files are secured by default.
Thanks again for your help.

Can Automator convert a PDF file to an Excel File?

I have a PDF file I would like to convert to Excel can someone show me how to do that with Automator, if possible. Thank you.

Hi Charles, No it can not do it with Automator without using other programs. Like adobe acrobat or such.
I could be wrong and sometimes I am. But I don't think so this time. There are online conversions that will make the format into excel.
http://www.freepdfconvert.com/convertpdf_tosource.asp
Cheers,
Glynn

Automating/Speeding Up PDF Production

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