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Auto-distiller

Ramprasad
Registered: May 15 2008
Posts: 5

Using some scripts, can I copy PS files created from other systems to my desktop acrobat distiller watch folder and generate PDF?

My Product Information:
Acrobat Pro 8.1.2, Windows
gkaiseril
Expert
Registered: Feb 23 2006
Posts: 4307
Yes, you will have to create a directory folder with subdirectories called "In" and "Out" and then set Distiller to watch the directory folder. You can now place the PostScript files to be processed in the "In" folder and Distiller will process them and move the PDF to the "Out" folder and will either move the PS file or delete it as per Distiller's settings. It is even possible to use networked drives for watched folder locations.

George Kaiser

Ramprasad
Registered: May 15 2008
Posts: 5
Thanks! However, if I copy PS from other systems using some scripts and generate PDFs in my desktop, is it violating EULA license? How it is differs from Acrobat distiller server?
daka630
Expert
Registered: Mar 1 2007
Posts: 1420
The following may be useful.
[url]http://www.adobeforums.com/webx/.59b4bf54[/url]
Follow the link and view the PDFs for Acrobat and for Distiller Server.

Distiller Server provides a 100 user license or an unlimited user license.
Otherwise, it appears you'll need licensed copies of Acrobat on each computer used by each individual that uses the feature(s) you are interested in.

At typical retail prices, something like 10-12 users would make Distiller Server 100 user (~$5K) the cost effective solution.

Be well...

Ramprasad
Registered: May 15 2008
Posts: 5
Thanks! We already have some 4-5 desktop licenses for Acrobat, but converting to PS to PDF takes a lot of time coz of lot of graphics. In such a scenario, is it really necessary to go into distiller server version or just by using some scripts to copy the PS to a dedicated system of acrobat to work as a distiller?
daka630
Expert
Registered: Mar 1 2007
Posts: 1420
imo...
It would not hurt to discuss your situation with Adobe (legal? customer support?).

Some time spent, up front, may avoid issues later. You would have an "official" position this way.

Be well...

gkaiseril
Expert
Registered: Feb 23 2006
Posts: 4307
I do not think using watched folders is a violation of the ELU. You have a single licensed desktop running and just monitoring different files. It should not make any difference where the PS files reside or are placed as you still have only one licensed application running on one system.

Note the software is not installed on a network server, just once on your desktop as per the individual license. I see no restrictions on were watched folders are located nor any restriction on the number of watched folders that are supported. But the desktop version does have performance limitations on high volume conversion, network access, network transaction volume, and security issues, that is, the desktop has to remain logged on and running to distill files. Many of which could justify having a server version of distiller on a server and not having to transfer data over network cables and keeping a unit outside of a secured location up and logged on.

George Kaiser