Checking for pdf/x Compatibility

Question

Hello there
I am using PDF Generator (from LiveCycle ES3) to convert WORD documents and images to pdfs.
In the PDF Generator settings, I am setting the "Compliance Standard" to "PDF/X-3" and the "output intent profile name" to "U.S. Web Coated (SWOP) v2".
Am I able to check (and more importantly verify to my client) that these settings have been applied to the resultant pdf?
When I open the resultant pdf in Acrobat Pro, in "Document Properties", the PDF version is stated as 1.3 (Acrobat 4.x).  However, there is no mention of "x".
In the preflight dialog, I can check the compliance of the document against the various PDF/X standards, however there is no statement of what the current version is.  Moreover, the button to analyze the pdf against the various "output intents" (SWOP, Japan Color Coated and Coated FOGRA39) is greyed out (I am able to "analyze and fix" against each of these options, but again there is no indication of what the current output intent is).
There are no custom properties in the Custom settings tab of the Document Properties dialog (if I save the pdf using "analyze and fix", a value of "PDF/X-3:2002" is created for the custom property "GTS_PDFXVersion" in the new pdf).
Many thanks
Geoff Olding

Answer 1

Hi,
Knowing a PDF file's version premits deduction of what version "compatibility" is present.
Version 1.7 (Acrobat 8.x) lacks compatibility for Acrobat 9.x specific features.
Version 1.6 (Acrobat 7.x) lacks compatibility for Acrobat 8.x specific features.
And so forth.
Certainly, not an elegantly simple approach; but, nevertheless it is functional.
Using Acrobat Professional/Extended 9.x -
Open the Preflight dialog.
Advanced > Preflight
From the Options drop-down menu, Select "New Preflight Profile".
The Prefight: Edit Profile dialog opens.
A default profile name is provided (New Profile <number>).
Initially, Click the Save button to save the profile. You can rename it later.
Note that "New Profile" is placed in "Custom
Now, locate your "New Profile" in the column at the left of the dialog and select
"Custom checks".
The available custom checks list loads in the pane to the right.
Above and to the right is a "Find" field.
Enter the string "version".
A filtered list appears.
A custom check is available for "versions newer than":
1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.7
and there is a custom check for "version older than 1.3".
Add the desired custom check to the profile. Save.
Configure the check for Error | Warning | Info
Info is "Notification" in the report that can be provided.
Once you have configured "New Profile" it can be used by a Batch Sequence to check multiple files.
When a Preflight is selected for use by a Batch Sequence you can configure for a "on success" and/or "on error" report.
Be well...