I have a very large number of PDF files.  I need to
process them in groups of about 30 files.  For each original PDF
file, I need to create a new PDF file with two (or four) pages from 
the original file on each page of the output file.  And I need to 
create a single PDF file containing all of the two (or four) per 
page pages.

I currently have a manual process which is very slow...  I open
a PDF file.  I print it to a file using a generic postscript
printer driver and select 2 pages per page from the printer dialog.
I run the Adobe Distiller to convert the PS file into a PDF file.
I repeat this for each of the approx 30 files in the set.  Then
I create a blank PDF document and insert each of the new PDFs
into the new document to create one document containing all of
the pages from all of the original documents.  I repeat this 
entire process to create the four to a page versions.  Then I
repeat this entire process for many sets of documents.

I need an automated method for processing an entire set (approx 30)
files to create one two per page file and one four per page file
for each of the original files; and the two merged files containing
all of the two per page and four per page pages.

I've investigated Acrobat batch sequences and Acrobat JavaScript
but these appear too limited in capability to accomplish an automated
version of my process.  They can't accomplish the print to file
with two (or four) pages per page aspect of my manual process, 
although it appears they can accomplish the PS->PDF conversion
using the distiller and they can accomplish the document merging.
Ideally, my new automated process would not involve an intermediate
postscript step but would convert directly to a PDF output file.

It appears that the Acrobat SDK will permit me to automate this
in C or perl but the learning curve may be too steep.  I'd prefer
an existing solution that is free but would be willing to pay a
small amount up to perhaps a few hundred dollars.  If no solution
already exists, I'd be willing to climb the learning curve to 
develop what I need using the SDK but I'd like some good pointers
to resources for developing the solution.

Thanks in advance!  ...Tom

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Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 16 Apr 2003 13:40 PDT

Check out:

http://site4.pdf995.com/

Let me know if this does it for you.

jbf777-ga
GA Researcher

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Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 16 Apr 2003 13:40 PDT

[perhaps the signature version could do it]

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Clarification of Question by bandcamp9-ga on 17 Apr 2003 08:39 PDT

I downloaded and tried out the pdf995 product.  It does the 2up and 4up
conversions but I can already do this with the distiller and it requires
significant manual effort to process each page.  I need a method where 
I can specify the list of files to convert and have all of the files 
converted at once without additional manual intervention.  

The most important thing is for me to be able to specify the list of
files to be processed and for the processing to proceed without further
manual involvement.

If you can, please tell me how to automate the process.

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Clarification of Question by bandcamp9-ga on 17 Apr 2003 08:40 PDT

The signature version of pdf995 does not seem pertinent to my problem.
It appears to be for applying digital signatures to PDF documents for
identification and authentication.

This won't eliminate the intermediate PS file, but a good way to save
labor (albeit without saving CPU time) would be to simply make a macro
using the mouse movement/keystroke recorder of your choice.

The tough part, of course, would be instructing the macro program to
select a different starting PDF each time, but i'm sure there's a
product available that could do that.  Then you'd be able to run the
macros overnight or other times when you are not at the computer.

look at:
http://www.fineprint.com/

the products is very useful and is very stable.

other mode to solve your problem:
use Unix/Linux box, bash scripting and psutils...

I'll investigate <b>macros<b> using a mouse movement/keystroke recorder if I 
can't find something more direct.  I'm not familiar with any of these tools.  
Any suggestions?  Any idea how to specify a different set of files each time
I run the macro?

The <b>fineprint<b> product looks like it accomplishes the same thing 
as pdf995 or the acrobat distiller as far as permitting manually 
producing 2up and 4up files one at a time.  Any ideas how automate it
to process many files at once?

My last resort will be to drop into <b>unix and script<b> this but the
operators who process these files will be more comfortable with the
acrobat interface and management prefers for this to be accomplished
within commercially supported products rather than a hodgepodge of
unix scripts.