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SVIDdev
Known Participant
August 28, 2020
Question

Need to store INDD file in PDF Metadata

  • August 28, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 389 views

Hi,

I want to store binary INDD file by converting it as Base64 in PDF Metadata. But at the time of converting Base64 to Binary, data is getting corrupted.

Also, it's taking too much time in loading a PDF which had Metadata: 5 mins for loading 5MB PDF having 4 MB of INDD Metadata.

Please let me know how shall I proceed?

 

This topic has been closed for replies.

2 replies

hammer0909
Community Expert
hammer0909Community Expert
Community Expert
August 28, 2020

I don't think that PDF metadata was intended to store entire files. As Dirk pointed out, you can add an InDesign file as an attachment to the PDF which can be accomplished using Adobe Acrobat, but you won't be able to achieve this during a PDF export directly from InDesign.

D
Dirk Becker
Legend
August 28, 2020

Chad, do you know more about those attachments? I only came across once with a PDF produced by Adobe, and had the distant memory that someone spoke against them maybe here in the forums.

Another alternative could be to mimic the approach of Illustrator. Without even looking at such a file I'd assume it is a binary stream object, stored in some private entry of the PDF structure …

D
Dirk Becker
Legend
August 28, 2020

Are you trying to mimic the way that Illustrator can open a PDF created by itself?

With Metadata do you mean XMP?

An alternative could be an attachment embedded in the PDF document, but I vaguely remember controversial discussions of that feature. Besides I'd be surprised if you can convince InDesign's PDF export to produce such an attachment, so you'll likely need some extra tool.

Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
Community Expert
August 28, 2020

The attachment would be done after-the-fact in Acrobat Pro. Attachments can be done with the Attachment pane or with the attachment comment tool. 

 

Some programs can embed the native file in the PDF automatically, such as Illustrator and Photoshop. Some programs can automatically attach the native file, such as Microsoft Office files (in Windows).

 

AFAIK, InDesign has to be done manually--but I could see that being a good feature request for PDF export to keep on par with AI and PS.

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
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