Preps 5.3.3 and Acrobat Pro 9

[Al Ferrari]

Joe,

So that still leaves the issue in a quandary.

But let's go back to where you point out that using the pdf reducing method degrades quality. M@CK's suggestion was to reduce to 5. Is the degradation less if we reduce only to 6, or 7, or 8?

Al

[Joe]

If you are using the Acrobat Optimizer there are settings to keep image quality the same as it is to start with but I think the "Reduce File Size" option doesn't give that choice. If I remember correctly, "Reduce File Size" changes the image resolution to 72 dpi. But it has been awhile since I used Acrobat 8 or 9 so I'm not 100% sure on that.

Before we moved to Prinergy I used the settings shown above in the Preps configuration file without any issues.

[Al Ferrari]

Joe,

I was so focussed on the success of simply being able to open the customer supplied pdf in Preps 5.3.3 when processed by the file reduction method that I blinded my self to the obvious fact that the reduce file size method accomplishes the file size reduction by reducing the images to 72 dpi. I even use that method several times a week to send low res pdfs soft proofs to customers.

As it turned out, the file I processed in responding to M@CK early in this thread was a text only file, so I was very gratified by the result.

Al

[Al Ferrari]

Joe,

I've done some homework reading:

Understanding Acrobat 9's Optimizer

I'll try using the compatibility popup in the Clean Up tab to make customer supplied pdfs acceptable to Preps 5.3.3.

Thanks for the lesson.

Al

[Joe]

Good luck!

[DCurry]

Hi Dan,

So are you saying that it does snot play a role in a pdf to pdf work flow?

Al

Yes, that is what I'm saying (as far as I know, anyway.) A PDF-to-PDF workflow simply passes the PDF code straight through - there is no conversion taking place. Conversions only take place if you use a mixed workflow, which is really just a PS workflow that converts PDFs to PS behind the scenes, either using Acrobat or Preps' internal converter based on your Preferences setting. If anyone knows for a fact that this is incorrect, please let chime in to correct me.

If I'm understanding your problem correctly, you are performing edits in Acrobat 9, then saving the PDF, then adding it into Preps. This is where you are seeing the error. All that error really is is Preps telling you (cryptically) that it can't handle the PDF version. By using the Reduce File Size to essentially backsave the PDF format, you're giving Preps something it can work with. My only problem with that is the lack of user options to control or at least see what is actually happening to the file to reduce the size. Size reduction is not really the goal here, so you might experiment with PDF Optimizer (under the Advanced menu) to see if that will work for you. The dialog window gives you control so you don't unintentionally downsample or recompress any images. You can even save your preferred settings as Presets.

I would take a PDF that you know exhibits the initial problem, then use Optimizer to make it Acrobat 8 compatible. See if that works. If not, try it again (from the original PDF, not the Acro 8 one you just made) and make it Acrobat 7 compatible and keep working your way back til you hit the one that works. Don't go back to 4, as that will flatten transparency. I'm hoping that Acro 8 compatible should work, since that was what you were using prior to upgrading to 9.

edit - I just took the time to read some subsequent posts, which already addressed the Optimizer vs. Reduce File size issue, so I'm sorry for repeating!

[Al Ferrari]

I just took the time to read some subsequent posts, which already addressed the Optimizer vs. Reduce File size issue, so I'm sorry for repeating!

Not to worry Dan, you did a fine job of fleshing out that particular corner of the discussion, at least for me. I only wish more forum members would take the time to go the distance with their posts as you have.

Well done. Thanks again.

Al

[Al Ferrari]

Any Preps users following this thread should be sure to read DCurry's post:
Preps 5.3.3 and Acrobat Pro 9 of 7:55 8-26-2012.

Al

[Al Ferrari]

OK, I have done exactly as Dan describes in his third paragraph. I have done it both with Acrobat 8 and 9 to the same original file which caused me to post this thread. And with both versions it was not until I got to compatibility with 5 in the Clean Up tab of the Optimizer that the file became acceptable to Preps. Note that simply opening and Saving As from version 8 did not cure the problem.

This particular file was a Microsoft word generated pdf from Windows not needing any fixes beyond making it acceptable to Preps 5.3.3. I cannot post the customer file, but if anyone requests it, I can give all of the specific information from all of the tabs in the File Information window and the Additional Metadata popup.

Al