Creating PDF from Acrobat and from Distiller

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
May 9, 2021
2 replies
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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.

Create PDFs

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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.

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Test Screen Name

Brainiac

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?

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sPretzelAuthor

Inspiring

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.

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Test Screen Name

Brainiac

If I understand what you wrote correctly, you are saying that even if I convert EPS to PDF in Acrobat, Acrobat will be using Distiller as the "engine". Right? I assume the result will be the same if I convert in Distiller directly then.

Regarding page size of EPS, I assume you mean that the size of the EPS page itself is overridden by the size set in the preset used in Distiller. Right?

"...even if I convert EPS to PDF in Acrobat, Acrobat will be using Distiller as the "engine". Right?"

Correct.

"Regarding page size of EPS, I assume you mean that the size of the EPS page itself is overridden by the size set in the preset used in Distiller. Right?"

Well.... EPS files do not have a page size, in the way PostScript files have a page size. It's absolutely forbidden [otherwise the EPS would set the size of the page where you placed it]. An EPS is not a page, it's a graphic (even if it's the size of a full page). Now, Adobe well understand that when you Distill an EPS you often want an EPS the size of the graphics, and other times you want a standard page size. This is controlled by some cryptic options under Distiller's Advanced Job options. The last job option is "Resize page and center artwork for EPS files". If on, the PDF is the graphic size. If off, the PDF default page size.