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Flattening Images and AutoCAD files

Forum Index > Collaboration & Commenting > Flattening Images and AutoCAD files
2008-03-07 05:20:54
pblackwood
Registered: Mar 7 2008
Posts: 4

We use Acrobat 8 to creat PDF files of our AutoCAD drawings. We then take these PDF files and stamp them using an image of our professional architect's stamp. In Acrobat 7 we would flatten the stamped PDF files so the stamp "melted" right into the background with everything else. When we use Acrobat 8 to stamp and flatten our files however, we are still able to select the image of the stamp, copy it, and move it around.

I know we can eliminate the ability of copying the stamp by using the "security" feature, but most of our clients will not accept PDF files that are password protected because they themselves need to rename the files to suit their publishing requirments.

Any suggestions? Do I have to revert back to Acrobat 7?

My Product Information:
Acrobat Pro 8.1.2, Windows
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2008-03-09 11:37:45
#1
Dimitri
Expert
Registered: Nov 1 2005
Posts: 1389
Hi pblackwood,

This should work fine in Acrobat 8. How are you flattening the PDF? Have you looked at this tutorial by Lori Defurio which discusses flattening PDFs in Acrobat 8-
http://www.acrobatusers.com/tutorials/2007/flattening_comments/

Hope this helps,

Dimitri
WindJack Solutions
www.windjack.com

Dimitri Munkirs
WindJack Solutions
pdfscripting.com

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2008-03-10 20:51:54
#2
sgreening
Registered: Mar 10 2008
Posts: 4
Hi, I am having the same problem. I need to have my stamp embedded into my original pdf. I have created my custom stamp in several different ways (from a jpeg, pdf, etc.) and when I flatten them using the process described above my stamps just turn into images (I downloaded both scripts and had the same result).

After flattening I can select the image of the stamp and it gets highlighted in blue and when I right click on it I have the option to "copy image" and "Save image as".

I don't want anybody to be able to make a copy of my stamps as they are architectural / engineering seals.

Adding security will fix this but not all of our clients will accept pdf's that require a password.

Does anyone have a solution or alternative that will achieve the desired result of having a stamp embedded into the pdf?
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2008-03-10 20:55:33
#3
sgreening
Registered: Mar 10 2008
Posts: 4
Me again, I noticed that the file that contains the default stamps that come with Acrobat 8 (located in C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\plug_ins\Annotations\Stamps\ENU) have the effect that I desire. When you open one of the pdf's located in that directory you cannot select the image of the stamp and when you insert and flatten these stamps they become embedded into the file. That's what I'm looking for.

Thanks to anyone who can help.
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2008-03-11 10:45:56
#4
lkassuba
ExpertTeam
Registered: Jun 28 2007
Posts: 3636
What tool are you using when you say you can move/highlight the stamp image after flattening -- the Touch Up Object tool or a different tool?
The only way to secure content from being copied is to use password security. This doesn't mean you'll need to have a password to open the file -- just to make changes to the PDF.

Also, the default stamps located at C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\plug_ins\Annotations\Stamps\ENU) can be modified/selected using the Touch-Up object tool as well.

Lori Kassuba is an AUC Expert and Community Manager for AcrobatUsers.com.

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2008-03-13 11:12:02
#5
sgreening
Registered: Mar 10 2008
Posts: 4
Thanks for the reply. I am just using the selection tool and I am able to click on the stamp (after I use the flattener) and it highlights in blue and then when I right click I get the menu with the save and copy options.
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