Flattening a pdf-file

In the last version of acrobat reader for the ipad, I can "flatten" a pdf-file before emailing. (only then!)
It seems to me that the "flattening' is not really "flattening" the pdf-file !
When I open this pdf-file on my computer with acrobat reader, acrobat still recognises the pdf as a form en not just as an pdf-file. (I get the remark that i can fill-in this form, but can't save it)
(no problem with that)
But when mailing the pdf to my "work" mail-address, the file is allways blocked by the firewall/security, saying it can not recognise the "file type" and the pdf-file is corrrupt.
When I use other apps (like "pdf master pro", "writepdf" or "Powerpdf"), I get a really "flattened" pdf. (never blocked by the firewall, not recognised as a form in acrobat reader X, no changes possible)
It is a little bit absurd to fill in a form in acrobat reader (with the dropdown boxes, javascript routines, pop-up remarks, ....) en then have to reopen it in another app, just to email a really flattened pdf-file.
I would use the other apps, but al these apps are having troubles with the dropwdown-fields, the javascript, the field-type (=>opening the numeric keyboard then filling in numbers) ....
Solutions ? (of do I have to wait at a new update ?)
grtz;

Ok, this is an XML/XFA/Designer form.
You cannot use JavaScript designed for Acrobat forms (Acroforms). I suspect that is the problem. You must develop JavaScript using the Designer JavaScript object model. Not sure if that even supports flattening, since it isn't really a PDF at all with all that XML stuff.

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Reader cannot flatten a document, if that's what you're asking. A user with Acrobat installed can, in which case you can use VBA to control Acrobat. For exampe: http://www.khk.net/wordpress/2009/03/04/adobe-acrobat-and-vba-an-introduction/

Flatten Dynamic pdf Files

Hi,
I have a dynamic pdf file where users complete text fields, drop down lists and image fields. I also have lock all fields button script that I found in this forum to lock all form fields once user completes it. I was wondering is there a way to save or produce a flat static pdf file in the end? Sometime the dynamic form can increase in size due to the size of image inside the image field. So is there a way to flatten all its contents in the end and produce a smaller copy of that file? This way any user even with old version of adobe reader can open it since its no longer a dynamic form.
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Thanks radzmar...sorry it took me awhile to get back to you.
This is were I have a problem. Since these LC forms are password protected with a permission pwd to prevent the form from being edited, I am unable to print this form to PDF. It gives out the following message:
%%[ ProductName: Distiller ]%%
This PostScript file was created from an encrypted PDF file.
Redistilling encrypted PDF is not permitted.
%%[ Flushing: rest of job (to end-of-file) will be ignored ]%%
%%[ Warning: PostScript error. No PDF file produced. ] %%
I am guessing that above message is displayed since the document is restricted from being changed. So is there a way to allow a pdf printing with the permission password enabled?
Alternatively, I thought another way to flatten pdfs might be to save the pdf file as jpeg image or any image file. But that doesn't work when the permission pwd is enabled as well since it shows the message "Insufficient permissions for image extraction". So whats the solution in this case? what are my options to flatten the pdf files in the end when the permission password is enabled?

How do I flatten a pdf file to make it non editable

how do I flatten a pdf doc on my imac. I am trying to save and editable PDF doc to a non editable pdf doc

Go to '''Tools->Options->Application''', search for '''Adobe Acrobat Document''' and choose '''Always ask''' in the '''Action''' column.
If you wish to reset all the download actions try the instructions in this article
[http://kb.mozillazine.org/File_types_and_download_actions#Resetting_download_actions File types and download actions]

How can I export a smallformat flatten PDF-file with transparant parts in?

My post on a PDF - more clear with images (english):
http://www.logicontrol.be/gallery/documents/help-eng.pdf
Deze post in nederlandstalige versie:
http://www.logicontrol.be/gallery/documents/help-nl.pdf
Scope?
I'dd like to export an Indesign-file (.indd) to a PDF-file that has to be:
- the smallest possible file size
- which displays images and text sharp on the screen
- which also certainly remain transparent parts of .psd-files after exporting
- that is flattened for easy print
The problem?
▪ How and with which of settings can I export such a file from InDesign 5.0?
▪ If necessary in combination with some settings (after exporting) in our Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro?
Further explanation
The export file contains lots of text, graphics, photographs and drawings. Many of these items are .psd-files that contain transparent areas. The intention is that this transparent parts actually remain transparent even after exporting/flattening /decreasing the PDF.
▪ With InDesign 5.0?
→ In the window Export Adobe PDF: (images see: http://www.logicontrol.be/gallery/documents/help-eng.pdf )
Should I start from a default PDF preset   (if yes > which one??)
Possibilities are: High Quality Print / PDFX-1a: 2001 / PDFX-3:2002 / PDFX-4:2007 / Press Quality / Smallest File Size
Or is it better to create a PDF preset on my own?     (if yes > which settings??)
Standard > PDF/X-format?
Compatibility > PDF-version?
Compression > If artwork should be compressed and downsampled, and if so,
                        which method and settings to I have to use ?
Ouput > How can I control colors and PDF/X output intent profiles in the PDF-file?
Advanced > How can I control fonts, OPI specifications, transparency flattening, and JDF instructions are
                  in the PDF file?
▪ With Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro?
→ How can I reduce the file size extra, so more reducing after exporting into PDF ?
→ How can I flatten the exported file (if not done during the export) ?
!! Important, when I export/reduce/flatten the file, I ‘dd like that the parts of images who were transparent before, stays also transparent after !!
WHAT CAN I DO ??

Hello,
I'm sorry you're having trouble. Unfortunately, this forum is for the ExportPDF service of Acrobat.com. The ExportPDF service functions as a PDF to *.docx file convertion and we can't help with problems specific to the desktop version of Acrobat or InDesign. I'm happy to point you in the right direction.
Acrobat Users moderated forums:
http://forums.adobe.com/community/acrobat
InDesign forums:
http://forums.adobe.com/community/indesign/indesign_general
Good luck!

Flattening a PDF that contains an XML file

Hi I am hoping someone can help me.
We have a PDF document that contains an XML form. We are starting to utilize DocuSign software to electronically sign and route our forms. The problem is that this form cannot be converted in the DocuSign portal. We need a way to flatten the software once it has been completed and all information has been input into the form and sent to us by a faculty member. I have downloaded a couple of different JavaScript add ons and have tried them. One doesn't seem to do anything the other one UVSAR_selectiveFlatten.js attempts to flatten the form but then quits and pops up the message "Security settings or digital signatures in this file prevent flattening."
When I look at the security settings under properties for the form it says "No Security" in the drop down box and there are no signatures in the form. I am attempting all of this on a blank form.
Flattening or printing to PDF works ok on a PC but we have a few Mac users and that is where our problems are coming in. The only option to print to PDF is the little drop down box in the bottom left corner of the print dialog box that says save as PDF. When we try this it pops up the message, "Saving a PDF file when printing is not supported. Instead, choose File > Save." File>Save just saves a copy with all of the XML code, etc.
The only other option we have found is to save the file as an image but this then breaks the file into 3 pages. We also don't want to print the form and then have to rescan it back in.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what we could do to flatten the image so that it could be easily uploaded to DocuSign.
A link to the form is here: http://rgs.usu.edu/spo/files/uploads/forms/SP-01.pdf
Any help or advice that you may have to offer will be greatly appreciated.

Ok, this is an XML/XFA/Designer form.
You cannot use JavaScript designed for Acrobat forms (Acroforms). I suspect that is the problem. You must develop JavaScript using the Designer JavaScript object model. Not sure if that even supports flattening, since it isn't really a PDF at all with all that XML stuff.

Flatten Annotations in PDF File

Hello,
Is there a way to flatten the annotations in a pdf file to guarantee they will print with the document when the user receives it.
thanks
barbara

Hi Doug,
Well, same thing, Sticky notes disappear...I actually spoke today with a gentleman who created a flatten option for the document menu on the PC, as well as have tried the flatten script as a batch function in my mac. It seems that the sticky notes are some form of dynamic annotation, and is the only one that disappears. All other annotations stay, using their method and yours. So, I am just going to use the text edit and call out option rather than the sticky notes, and they will flatten with the job without a hitch.
But, again, thanks..it was worth a shot and now I have another way to do it...
Babs

Can we selectively flatten form fields in a PDF file?

I have a PDF with some form fields in it. I want to selectively flatten a few form fields in the PDF using a java API. I have checked the documentation and found a method transformPDF in the OutputServiceService. But this method flattens all the form fields in the PDF document.
Can we selectively flatten form fields in a PDF file? If yes how?
This was possible in Adobe Document Server V6.
Regards,
Ragha

You will need an event in the form that will indicate that you want the flattening done. Once you determine what that is it is simply a single statement for each field:
fieldname.access = "readOnly";
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Flatten (Reduce Sixe of PDF + Making it Read Only) PDF files - Designed in Adobe Livecycle

We have created PDF forms using Adobe Livecycle Designer. The forms looks good after being designd and printed.
We wanted to Flattend the PDF file that was developed in Designer. We used a Process orchestration in Forms ES Process module to flat the files.
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Some of the PDF gets Distorted as the fonts of some of the paragraghs and text on the PDF forms becomes biggers during thee flattening process and the Flattended PDF output is not as the Original form. Please suggest what is the solution or what is happening?
Thanks,
Siva.

Thats my definition too.
Then my guess is that the font that is being used is not available on the server and as such a substitute font is being used which is different enough from the original to mess things up.
Paul

What is the best way to differentiate a flatten pdf file and a mult-layers (live) file

Hi All,
I am using Adobe Acrobat 9.3.
I have over 10,000 pdf files saved in the same directory. Some of them have been flatten while some of them are still live.
All the files need to be flatten and I need to identify all the live files.
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Chris Wong

You can use JavaScript to tell if there are any layers in a document. You could use it in a batch sequence that checks all of the files in a directory and print the filename to the JavaScript console for each file that has layers.
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http://livedocs.adobe.com/acrobat_sdk/9.1/Acrobat9_1_HTMLHelp/JS_API_AcroJS.88.482.html
http://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/2006/create_use_layers
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How to create in InDesign with "Helios Server" a flattened pdf file?

Hi,
anybody know about how to use Helios server to create flattened pdf file?
some details:
software: InDesign CS4
Operating System: Macintosh

I hope you meant it when you said any and all suggestions would be appreciated. This is kind of for listed bullets, but you seemm well versed that you could play with this to make it work.
First, you want to set your text and apply some general bullets. You can make a new paragraph style if you’d like to set your indents for personal preference. Off to the side, place your graphic you want to use for the bullet.
Next, select your bullet text and convert the bullets to text. Now it gets bouncy, but follow slowly and it may work for you.
Copy one of the general Bullets to the pasteboard. Then, Find/Change, pasting the bullet text character in the Find what. Go back to your document and copy the logo or graphic to your clipboard. Make sure it is formatted to your bullet size and colors, etc...
Go back to your open Find/Change dialog and select the Change to (special characters for replace) to clipboard contents, formatted. From there, you can select and tweak things such as text wrap.
Just one FYI - When you try to select all in your text box, the graphics used for the bullets will NOT be selected in the links pallette.

Opening PDF files using preview on some PDF file result in the content not displaying properly. The file I tried to look at has pictures and text. The pictures are displayed ok but the text is shown as pixalated boxes. The same file opens ok via a PC.

Solutions please. Accessing PDF files online using preview normally works ok. However there are a clutch of files on the mothers union web site that although can be opened, present text as pixalated boxes. The pictures contained in the documents are however displayed OK. I experience the same problem on my Imac and my wifes laptop that runs Lion. The same site has other PDF files that can be opend OK. If I access the same problem files using a PC laptop running microsoft windows, they are opened OK with the text displayed as it should be. This is driving me mad....

Raymondo1 wrote:
The offending PDF files were created using word
Yes. Word 2007. (You can see it in Preview if you do ⌘I or choose Tools > Show Inspector.) And it's the transparency issue. The three pics attached show the Jan 2012 newsletter (a) in Preview, (b) in Acrobat Pro, (c) again in Preview, after I saved it in Acrobat, flattening the transparency.
For you, the solution is to use Adobe Reader -- with due note taken of
<http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb12-01.html>
For them, I don't know. Presumably, they wish max compatibility for their newsletter, but I really don't know how Office 2007 generates PDF. Maybe they should check transparency settings and flatten before generating PDF? Or perhaps save as PDF v1.4 instead of PDF v1.5? I would use Distiller, but perhaps they can't afford it.

Print to PDF - using Snow Leopard (Saving a PDF file when printing is not supported. Instead, choose

i have a PDF form that i created that is used as a custom proposal that my company sends out to potential clients. the form in its editable state is only used internally. we recently upgraded to snow leopard, but prior to the upgrade, we were able to fill the custom proposal form out using adobe reader, and, as you well know, we weren't able to save that edited document as a PDF with the custom form fields filled out. our work around using adobe reader was to print to a pdf using the adobe pdf printer in the printer dialog. with the addition of snow leopard, however, instead of choosing the adobe pdf printer, we were to choose PDF from the bottom left corner, then Save As PDF, and it would spit out an uneditable pdf that then allowed us to email it to the potential client without them being able to edit it as well as have an internal, digital copy for our records instead of having lots of paper floating around (i know this is also doable using security that disallows the client certain editing privileges, but printing to a pdf is much quicker and more efficient, and the pdf security isn't really that secure at its best).
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http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/509/cpsid_50981.html
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how can i do print to a pdf, based on what i've written above, using snow leopard and acrobat and reader?

A simple way is to flatten the form fields, which converts the field appearances to regular page contents. You can do this with JavaScript or PDF Optimizer (Advanced > PDF Optimizer > Discard Objects > Flatten form fields). A very nice script that adds a custom menu item can be found here: http://www.uvsar.com/projects/acrobat/flattener/

How do I prevent image selection in a pdf file?

I am trying to avoid selection of an image in a PDF file. In my file, it is possible to click and select an image, which gets highlighted in a blue colour. I would like to avoid that, creating a file that seems like this: http://www.dcc.ttu.ee/lap/lap5760/jy992d48301-j_fx.pdf
Note that I am not referring to the encryption or security option, but to an alternative where one can not even select the image by clickling. I am well aware that this will not prevent from copying the image (there is always print-screen, anyway), but I just want to avoid the possibility of selecting the image in any case for an academic article.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

The file you linked to is secured... So if you want your file to behave the same, apply security to it as well.
Another option is to export your file to an image format, and then re-generate a new PDF file from those images. That would "flatten" it in a way that would make the original images not selectable, but I think that's a long way to go just for that small difference.

Is there a way to merge Static PDF files and PDF Forms

Hi All,
The issue I am facing is this: 1200+ PDF forms that employees
will need to sign. The docs are being created in MS Word, and all
have a standard signature block. We have prototyped using LiveCycle
Designer 8 to add fields to static PDF files (print Word files into
Acrobat, import into LiveCycle and paste in fields) but this is
pretty labor-intensive to use with a minimum of 1200 forms per
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The employee forms go into a CF8/Oracle library app (stored
as BLOBs) and served up for 7,000 or so employees to sign. Posted
data goes back into database.
Here is the issue:
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cfpdfform / cfdocument that will allow us to create ONE generic
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fly?
<cfdocument> apparently does not allow PDF data to be
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variables, toBinary(PDF variable), PDF served by <cfcontent>
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<cfpdf action="merge"> with a combination of a static
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As I mentioned on the other thread, the forms need to be
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http://www.adobeforums.com/webx/.3c052176

Flattening a pdf-file

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