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Inspiring
May 9, 2021
Answered

Creating PDF from Acrobat and from Distiller

  • May 9, 2021
  • 2 replies
  • 9036 views

Hi. I am setting a Preset via Adobe Distiller and creating a PDF from within Distiller. My understanding is that this preset is now the default and is shared amongst other Adobe applications, such as Acrobat. But when I create the PDF file (same source file) from within Acrobat, I get a different file size than the one created with Distiller.

-Am I doing something wrong?

-How can I tell what preset (or settings) the PDF file is created, whether it's from Distiller or from Acrobat?

-How can I set the preset to be used in Acrobat for PDF file creation?

Thanks.

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Correct answer Test Screen Name

"Whatever the file type I would convert, I would like the workflow to work. I am converting eps."

Then you must set up each file type. However, EPS is one of the only types which is ALWAYS converted in Distiller. So you are in the right place. The page size for EPS files comes from Distiller settings. But be sure you are not mixing up EPS with generic PostScript (PS/PRN) files. These usually contain a fixed page size.

 

2 replies

Brainiac
May 9, 2021

Distiller is not a universal converter. It is used to convert some file types, and not others. It is used for some conversion methods, and not others. What file type do you convert, and what do you click to do the conversion?

sPretzelAuthor
Inspiring
May 9, 2021

Whatever the file type I would convert, I would like the workflow to work. I am converting eps.

In Distiller, I simply select the desired "Default Settings" and open the file.

In Acrobat, I use Create PDF and then either select From File or Batch Create Multiple Files.

What's important to me is to be able to select the Preset I want to use. I can do that easily in Distiller as described. In Acrobat, it's not as clear (Bernd gave me some pointers).

If I can convert to PDF the same file with both Distiller and Acrobat, will the end result be exactly the same?

 

My initial question was guided by this statement, found at https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/pdf-conversion-settings.html:

A PDF preset is a group of settings that affect the process of creating a PDF. These settings are designed to balance file size with quality, depending on how the PDF are used. Most predefined presets are shared across Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including InDesign CC, Illustrator CC, Photoshop CC, and Acrobat. You can also create and share custom presets for your unique output requirements. A saved PDF preset file has the suffix .joboptions.

Test Screen NameCorrect answer
Brainiac
May 9, 2021

"Whatever the file type I would convert, I would like the workflow to work. I am converting eps."

Then you must set up each file type. However, EPS is one of the only types which is ALWAYS converted in Distiller. So you are in the right place. The page size for EPS files comes from Distiller settings. But be sure you are not mixing up EPS with generic PostScript (PS/PRN) files. These usually contain a fixed page size.

 

Bernd Alheit
Community Expert
May 9, 2021

When you create the PDF file in Acrobat it uses the conversion settings for the file type.

sPretzelAuthor
Inspiring
May 9, 2021

Hi Bernd. And the conversion settings are set where? In Distiller?

If that is the case, then as I mentionned, I end up with files of different sizes, so something's rnnning amock.

Bernd Alheit
Community Expert
May 9, 2021

Acrobat doesn't use the distiller for this. You can find the conversion settings in the preferences of Acrobat.