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A
Anonymous
January 26, 2012
Question

How can I speed up PDF generation?

  • January 26, 2012
  • 1 reply
  • 1698 views

I am working on 2 manuals in Frame 10, unstructured. I have installed all the latest FM patches. The smaller manual is 270 pages with 200 graphics inserted by reference. It takes 2.5 hours to "Save as PDF." The larger manual is 500 pages, 250 graphics and takes 3 hours to "Save as PDF".

I have converted graphics to smaller .jpg files. I have freed up as much space on my PC as possible - it has 4GB memory and 300 GB hard drive space available, dual processor with i3 chip. I delete Temp files and reboot before creating PDF.

If I turn off graphics (Esc+v+v), the PDF is created in just a few minutes.

What else can I do to produce a complete PDF with graphics in a reasonable amount of time?

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    1 reply

    Bob_Niland
    Community Expert
    Bob_NilandCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 26, 2012

    Are the Frame files and/or the imported objects coming from network servers?

    If so, you might get a speed up by saving to manual to the local machine prior to printing, and printing to PostScript, where the .ps file is on the local machine. Then Distill separately (if you have the full Acrobat product). Distilling separately* at least frees up Frame for that part of the rendering.

    I have converted graphics to smaller .jpg files.

    From what? And I wouldn't have bet that using JPEG would help. The files may be smaller, but they still need to be filtered for export to Ps or PDF, and if they are raster, they may be subject to further processing during PDF generation based on the subsampling specified.

    You might try sending the objects as EPS (which requires minimal processing into Ps), and you might try making sure that raster images are already at the desired dpi, and require no further downsampling in the rendering flow.

    _____

    * Printing-to or the misleading Saving-as-PDF does a similar .fm -> Ps -> PDF flow, but mostly hides the Ps part. We routinely do it separately both to free up Frame, and get more control over the PDF attributes.

    A
    Anonymous
    January 26, 2012

    I am a lone writer working on a single PC. No network drives. I open all files in the book before creating PDF.

    Many of the graphics are product photos - how to assemble, etc. I was provided with .psd and .jpg versions. Originally inserted the .psd ones, but then consultant advised us to use the .jpg instead. PDF generation is extremely long either way. Also had numerous huge .tif files that I saved to much smaller .jpg.

    Manuals will be localized and printed. What type of graphics are advised in this case - for good print quality and efficient PDF generation?

    doolie

    Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:33:15 -0700

    From: forums@adobe.com

    To: marydulin@hotmail.com

    Subject: How can I speed up PDF generation?

    Re: How can I speed up PDF generation?

    created by Error7103 in FrameMaker General Discussion - View the full discussion

    Are the Frame files and/or the imported objects coming from network servers? If so, you might get a speed up by saving to manual to the local machine prior to printing, and printing to PostScript, where the .ps file is on the local machine. Then Distill separately (if you have the full Acrobat product). Distilling separately* at least frees up Frame for that part of the rendering. I have converted graphics to smaller .jpg files. From what? And I wouldn't have bet that using JPEG would help. The files may be smaller, but they still need to be filtered for export to Ps or PDF, and if they are raster, they may be subject to further processing during PDF generation based on the subsampling specified. You might try sending the objects as EPS (which requires minimal processing into Ps), and you might try making sure that raster images are already at the desired dpi, and require no further downsampling in the rendering flow.

    P
    peter minneapolis
    Participating Frequently
    January 26, 2012

    It's good to know that some graphics are real photos, not screen shots. Others on the forum can offer opinions on how to reduce the file size of screen shots without losing detail. I just want to mention that real photos can't be reduced as much as screen shots, without losing information. The amount of detail is needed for the final delivery, PDF or paper, is the key. If the PDF will be printed, you can lose somewhat more detail without problems, compared to a PDF that will be viewed on a display and zoomed into. Zooming into too-little information only makes large fuzzy images that lack information.

    Depending on the the photographer skill with light, when taking the pictures, detail can be enhanced, preserved, or lost. Whether artivicial lighting devices are used, or what light existed where the shot was made, using light correctly can make the most of detail, and incorrect use can kill it. Lighting and camera angle can also separate the main subject from background stuff visually, which, in come cases, can deliver better information in the final format than higher resolution alone.

    HTH

    Regards,

    Peter

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