How to create, reference and protect PDF documents
#1
There has been some discussion on creating PDF documents of some of the material on this site. One of my suggestions was for a footer to be added to reference the author of the content and to reference the web site. It was suggested that this process be written up, so I have decided to do just that. I have also combined the process of adding a footer with compiling a PDF from multiple files, as well as document protection.

First off, a disclaimer: I am not an expert on Adobe Acrobat and this simply outlines the method that I use and what works for me. There are many features in Acrobat that may produce similar or better results than the ones I will show. I am using Acrobat Professional 8.0, so you may not be able to do all of what I am showing in previous versions and the steps shown may differ between versions.

With that out of the way, let’s get started. I am going to show the process of making a single PDF file from several PDF files, adding a footer and then adding protection. I am actually going to show this using the pantograph files that TomG posted and I am doing this for my own personal use. However, if Tom is in agreement, I will make the single file available. However, you could download the individual files and follow along.

First of we want to create a single PDF file from the several PDF files that we have available. Open Acrobat and select “From Multiple Files…” from the "Create PDF" button (or from "File" on the menu bar, then select "Create PDF" if your version of Acrobat doesn't have the Create PDF button).

   

The Combine Files window will open, where you can browse for files or add an entire folder. You can also drag and drop files into the window. You will see below that I have added all the pantograph PDF files. At the bottom of the file window, you will see three buttons, which allow you to change the order in which the files appear, as well as delete any files. I leave the file size and conversion settings as default but you may wish to experiment with the different options.

   

Once you have all the files you wish to include, click next. You will then be asked if you wish to merge the files into a single PDF or assemble a PDF package. In this case, we want to merge the files into a single PDF. Note that the order of the files has changed. This is the final order I decided upon.

   

Click on the Create button and Acrobat will process the files and upon completion you will see the following screen:

   

You can preview the completed file by using the direction buttons underneath the preview window (currently viewing page 4). You can save the file if you are satisfied with the results, or you can go back and change the order of files and/or the settings. You can also cancel the process. Below you can see the saved file (Pantograph.pdf).

   

Here I have opened the Bookmarks menu in Acrobat and you can see that the multiple page PDF files that make up this PDF are bookmarked according to their original file names (as such, you may with to rename the individual files before combining them).

Edit: I have clarified the Create PDF step, as some versions of Acrobat may not show the Create PDF button and you have to go through the menu.
Hunting American dentists since 2015.
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#2
The next step is to add a footer to the pages in order to correctly reference TomG as the author and also reference the file back to http://www.metalworkingfun.com. The reason it is important to do both is that files like these will find their way all over the internet and this references it back to the web site and the author. If the author uses a nickname on a web site, linking the two becomes important. To add the footer, select “Header & Footer” from the document menu and then click on “Add…”.

   

The Add header and footer window will appear, which offers you multiple options. The main ones being a Left, Centred or Right aligned Header, a Left, Centred or Right aligned Footer and font settings. The preview window allows you to see how the header and footer will appear on each page. As you can make a PDF from multiple file types, the ability to preview each page is very useful if the margins vary between the files used to construct the PDF. Below you will see that I have inserted the forum address into the Left footer and Tom’s nickname into the Right footer.

   

Here you can see the footer as it appears on the page:

   

Edit: Typo fixed.
Hunting American dentists since 2015.
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#3
The final step is to protect the file, which is set in the document properties. Go to the File menu and select “Properties…” from the drop down list.

   

The default tab enables you to edit the document description. The author default is often the computer/user name of the first file used to make the PDF, so it is worth checking this.

   

Click on the “Security” tab and select “Password Security” from the “Security Method” drop down menu.

   

The Password Security – Settings dialogue box will appear, which will allow you to set the controls for a number of features. There are two types of password settings available. The first is a password to open the document and the second is a password to set the permissions. We are only interested with setting a password for the document permissions in this instance, the the file is for general distribution. The open document password simply prevents the document form being opened without a password and the process is similar to most other programmes. Try it, as you can always remove it later.

   

These are the permission settings I generally use:

• Printing allowed: You can prevent the document from being printed or set the resolution to low, which is suppose to prevent the document being scanned. As this document is a drawing, we want it to be printable in high resolution.
• Changes allowed: You can allow or prevent certain changes to be made to the document. I usually set this to none.
• I never enable the copying of text, images or other content, as this allows users to cut and past material from your document into their own.
• I leave the last check box enabled.

Once you have set the permissions you want, type in the password you wish to use and click OK. A confirm password dialogue box will appear, into which you must confirm the password.


.jpg   Untitled-13.jpg (Size: 25.59 KB / Downloads: 111)

The final step is to save the PDF. You now have a single PDF file compiled from several files, correctly referenced on every page footer and protected against content modification.

Edit: Typo fixed and some additional info added to document password details.
Hunting American dentists since 2015.
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#4
Outstanding Darren! Thank you for putting that together. Worthy

I'm printing it off right now and going to try working my way through it. (ver 9.4.5)

Wish me luck...... Rotfl

Willie
Willie
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#5
Great stuff Mayhem Thumbsup Worthy
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DaveH
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#6
Nice tutorial!

So, is the document about the pantograph available? Looks interesting.
Ken
An old tired/retired/wanna-be machinist. Cool
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#7
(07-27-2012, 11:56 PM)NevadaBlue Wrote: Nice tutorial!

So, is the document about the pantograph available? Looks interesting.

Thanks Ken. Yes, Tom made the pantograph drawings available here in the resources section.
Hunting American dentists since 2015.
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#8
Got 'em, thanks. And thanks to Tom for posting those. I couldn't reply to thank him there.
Ken
An old tired/retired/wanna-be machinist. Cool
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#9
No worries Ken. The resources section is set up so that there are no replies allowed. This is to keep it purely as a repository for downloads and/or links. Generally the OP will create a discussion thread elsewhere, linking the two if they feel it necessary. Of course, this doesn't stop any member creating a discussion thread if they have questions or comments regarding the particular resource.

Giving thanks in the resource section is an option via the "Thanks" (bottom Right row of buttons).
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