Copy stamp from document to palette

[nyarch2]

This should not be this difficult...  

OK - created a stamp - Decades ago (v5, v6) - whatever.  I found an old document that has the stamp in it.  I would like to make this stamp a part of my palette *now*.  I would prefer to NOT HAVE TO open the old file, hit copy/paste, to use the stamp. This is what I've been doing for - forever.

How does one open the old file, click on the existing stamp, and make it a part of my current palette?

One would think this would NOT be difficult.  If I can copy/paste it - I should be able to simply add to palette??? Wouldn't ya think?

Thank you (whomever) in advance.

[Document Geek]

Nope, it doesn't work that way. So sorry! First, copy and paste the stamp to a blank document. Then flatten the PDF using this script:

event.target.flattenPages();

Then create a new custom stamp. Only then will it show up in your pallette of stamps.

[nyarch2]

Was afriad of that...  One would think - it should be pretty darn simple to do!!! Why would one have to go thorugh and recreate a stamp - alreayd prepared...  makes no sense whatsoever... I can even see for security purposes... but you can copy/paste it - there is no security - only a WASTE OF TIME.  Adobe - The CREATOR of the PDF - still wasting everyones time with simple BS.

[try67]

Because an applied stamp is flattened, whereas the original can contain fields, scripts, etc., which will be lost if copied like that.

[nyarch2]

but in the old document the stamp is *not* flattened. Still can be moved around, still shows up as "applied stamp" in the comment flyout. One would think I could right click on it, and just add to favorties or somthing.  it just a transparent png, nothing fancy, no scripts or anything.  Is a signature stamp.  I also recall (possibly incorrect) at some time in the long distant past - export stamp feature??

[Document Geek]

I was incorrect in saying that you need to flatten the stamp. You don't need to. But you do to create a custom stamp out of it in order to have it stored in your stamp palette. 

[try67]

The stamp is flattened internally, not externally, which means you can indeed move it around, resize it, etc., but its internal interactive elements are lost. That might be fine for you, but it's not in many other cases. Anyway, it's easy enough to convert a stamped page into a new Stamp. Just use a blank page with the stamp on it as the source document when creating a new Stamp.

[Thom Parker]

Is this a Dynamic or Static stamp? 

A Stamp, in the ISO 32000 PDF specification is just an image. That's it, it's just an image on an annotation.  So if this stamp is static, then all the information is already in the PDF to move it directly from the document in to a stamp file (i.e. onto the stamp pallete).  It's just that there isn't a tool in Acrobat to do this directly. How much would you pay for a custom plug-in to do it? Of course it's super easy just to create your own stamp with the techniques the good people here have generously provided. 

Dynamic stamps however require extra information that is not in the stamp on the document. The dynamic bits of the stamp are not part of the PDF specification. They are specific to Acrobat. So you cannot create a dynamic stamp from on that has already been placed on a PDF. 

You know, these things only seem simple or obvious if you have no idea how things work. It's too keep that in mind when you are whinging. 

[nyarch2]

Thom - WOW. OK, I see you are one of those.  Maybe if you took the time to read that it is a simple transparent png, a signature stamp, you wouldn't have to ask the dynamic/static question in the first place.

Next, for the convenience of moving a single old stamp file to my current palette - once, I would pay nothing for a custom plug-in.  For that matter, the fact that Adobe makes it so that one MUST HAVE a custom plug in scripted to do what any basic clipboard manager can perform, well, that goes back to my "whinging" of how the most basic, common, tasks - acrobat makes tasks more difficult than it needs to be - FOR THE END USER.

So thank you for your input; your indication of needing a custom plug-in.  This mind you, would not be required if somewhere in all this over-bloated code, Acrobat had made the ability to copy/paste a simple static applied signature stamp to one of IT'S OWN internal palettes. One shouldn't have to RE-create something that is already created. Furthermore, it shouldn't REQUIRE a tool, or a plug-in.  I agree it is super easy to create.  It was super easy when I CREATED it the first time.  This is a miniscule example of the TIME WASTING I spoke of.  

It appears that what - I - as an end user - think would be/should be a somewhat simple, basic function [request??] of the software - is "you can't do that".   

The ability to copy something from a working file, to - a clipboard; a palette; a quick-part; library; a whatever-you-want-to-call-it - is a preeettttty standard offering - in just about any decent application. Yet this software, needs a separate "tool", a "plug-in" - to do that.  Makes something simple, much more complex, than needed.

You know, things are simple and obvious if you take the time to actually read the issue.  Rather than spewing out information that [as stated] is not applicable, adding in unnecessary what if-scenarios, or feel that YOU JUST HAVE TO pass on your infinite wisdom on the subject, injecting nothing of worth.  [Do you get more Adobe brownie point stars - number of posts; or the number of words; or what?]. 

You should keep that in mind when you are lecturing. 

I bet you're also the type to conduct meetings, to talk about  what your next meeting is going to be about - and how productive you are. 

...I'm out, spanky - have fun