Batch import a PDF as Layer

[jctremblay]

Is there a way to batch import as specific layers a single page PDF to every pages of anothe PDF?
Having to do it manually is a pain. The import as layer don’t allow to save setting. This could also be useful.

[try67]

Do they need to have a specific name? Do you want to only import one layer into each page?

If the answers are no and yes then you can probably do it using the addWatermarkFromFile method.

Otherwise you would need to use a plugin or a stand-alone application to do it.

[jctremblay]

Unfortunately, I need them to be on layer with specific name. Thanks!

[Luke Jennings3]

A work-around might be to place the PDF into InDesign using the Place Multipage PDF script (Window> Utilities> Scripts> Samples). Make a new Masterpage, place the single page PDF on the Masterpage and move it to a layer with the desired name, apply the masterpage to all pages, export as a layered PDF.

[jctremblay]

If it was a regular PDF I could use this workaround. But it’s a multiple form PDF. I don’t think the Replace page option of Acrobat will preserve layers of the Imported PDF.

[Luke Jennings3 · Accepted solution]

Actually, it appears to work if you first add a new layer to the target PDF. From the Layers fly out menu, Import as layer to add the new layer to a single page, choose "Copy layers from source" from the options, once the PDF has layers, replace pages using the (interactive, multi-layer) PDF from InDesign will add the new layer to all pages while preserving the existing forms.

You will need to decide if this method is easier than doing this one page at a time.

[jctremblay]

Luke, that’s a very interesting workaround. Thanks!