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Maintaining zoom window location when changing pages.

Forum Index > General Acrobat Topics > Maintaining zoom window location when changing pages.
2009-09-17 07:53:47
bryan_unger
Registered: Sep 17 2009
Posts: 14
Answered

When navigating a set of large format architectural/engineering drawings (typically the same paper size), it is desireable to zoom into a particular area of a page, say where the sheet number is shown on the titleblock, and then scroll through the pages with the zoom window remaining in the same location relative to the extents of the page, in this case to verify that all the sheet numbers are correct. Unfortunately, when changing pages, it seems that the zoom window is relocated to the upper right hand corner of the next page, at which point one must pan to restore the original location relative to the extents of the sheet. I've been unable to determine whether it is possible to use the zoom tools in a manner which achieves the desired functionality, a persistent zoom window location.

Does anyone have some information on whether this functionality is possible? If not, is there somewhere where users can post feature requests?

Thanks in advance for any assistance rendered.

PS: I've posted this in the Acrobat Users forum since I didn't see one for Reader. Our company standard is Acrobat 5.X, but can get access to 7.X. Our use of Acrobat is typically for viewing, inserting/removing pages, and commenting. I don't have any experience with scripting or simlar means; however, is there a reasonably simple programming implementation, would be interested to hear it as this functionality is very desireable and constitutes a major shortcoming in the Adobe products when used in the AEC environment, where this document workflow is very common.

My Product Information:
Reader 9.1.3, Windows
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2009-09-20 08:44:31
#1
daka630
Expert
Registered: Mar 1 2007
Posts: 1420
Quote:
...is there somewhere where users can post feature requests?
[url=https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/mmform/index.cfm?name=wishform]Feature Request[/url]

Some thing to consider for what you described -

Perhaps use of Bookmark(s) could help.

The idea is to create a Bookmark that uses the action "Go to a Page View" then the Marquee Zoom Tool to establish a view of the title block on a specific page.

A PDF, empty of page content, would have the Bookmark(s).
A Batch Sequence could be used to insert this PDF into multiple PDFs (containing the drawings).
Now each PDF containing the drawing content has a bookmark to a specific page's title block.

A quick trial implementing this for PDFs containing ANSI E (landscape orientation) drawings sourced from Bentley validated the approach.
The (-): Manual creation process, takes some time. Would need to repeat for each of the drawing sizes used to output to PDF.
The (+): Once down; well, it is done.

As Acrobat JavaScript can be used for some manipulation of Bookmarks, it may be worth considering an approach that implements use of JavaScript.
You may want to consider opening a thread in the AUC JavaScript Forum.

Be well...

Be well...

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2009-09-21 08:03:43
#2
bryan_unger
Registered: Sep 17 2009
Posts: 14
Much obliged on the response, especially the link to the feature request page. I didn't accept the response for the following reasons:

1) The feature request question was secondary to the main topic of the post.
2) Bookmarks are insufficiently flexible. As you mentioned, it could be setup manually, but since the number of sheets changes during the design process, this would have to be maintained. Also see 3).
3) The intended use would be on the fly, and needs flexibility regarding the location. The bookmark solution would have to be redone for each new location.
4) Sometimes fitting the titleblock in the view does not provide a sufficient zoom factor to easily read the desired text. Some titleblocks are long and narrow. I've got double 19s in portrait at 1024x1280, the highest resolution my particular video card will go, and I still have trouble reading the text sometimes.

Given that the location and number of sheets are unknown, and the ad-hoc nature of the task, its preferred that this be a built-in feature to the zoom window tool, or by another tool called persistent zoom window.

Pending other responses, I've followed the link you provided and posted a feature request, since it didn't appear this feature already comes in the box.

Thanks again for your help.
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2009-09-21 12:07:14
#3
lkassuba
ExpertTeam
Registered: Jun 28 2007
Posts: 3636
While it's not exactly what you're looking for you can try using the Loupe tool. I used it to zoom to a specific location on a page, then when I hit the Page Down button my mouse is at the same location on the next page and all you need to do is click and the Loupe tool is activated.

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

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2009-09-21 12:29:20
#4
bryan_unger
Registered: Sep 17 2009
Posts: 14
I've responded to myself since none of the answers received so far were sufficiently complete to stand alone as an answer to my original post.

A: In version of the programs being used (Acrobat 5.0 and Reader v9.1.3) the is no tool/feature which retains the location of the zoom window, zoom/pan window, and loupe window when switching between pages. A feature request has been submitted. In the meantime, the solution from lkassuba, quoted below, is a simple and efficient workaround.

lkassuba wrote:
While it's not exactly what you're looking for you can try using the Loupe tool. I used it to zoom to a specific location on a page, then when I hit the Page Down button my mouse is at the same location on the next page and all you need to do is click and the Loupe tool is activated.
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