How to save .pdf so comments show up regardless of customer's printing preferences

[metajack1971]

I combine multiple files into one .pdf and make comments on each page. Unfortunately, many customers do not use the "print with comments" option so all of the commenting is lost on their printed page which is the source of endless confusion on their end.

I'm looking for a way to save the commented version so that regardless of the customer's printing options, the document will print with comments 100% of the time. Currently I print the document and scan it which produces a lower quality document and is time consuming. I'm sure this has got to be an option in Adobe but I can't figure out how to do it.

I thank you in advance for your assistance.

[try67]

Which kind of comments did you use? With the exception of Sticky Notes (I think), you can open all of them, flatten the document and then save it.

The text of all the comments will be embedded into the PDF and the users won't be able to remove it.

[metajack1971]

Thank you very much for the reply.  I'm using text boxes, bubbles, arrows, etc.  We have to submit product sheets to architects with the items being supplied noted, hence the bubbles and arrows.

I must be a little more remedial in my knowledge of Adobe than I originally thought because I can't figure out how to flatten the document either. If you have a moment, could you walk me through the steps to do that? I'm currently using Adobe Acrobat 9 Standard. I tried using the help option to figure it out but it wasn't a whole lot of help.

Thank you again for your time. I truly appreciate any help you can offer.

[try67]

You can either print the file as a PDF using the Adobe PDF printer, or do it with a small JavaScript like is explained here:

http://www.pryslak.net/FlattenPDF.html

[metajack1971]

Thank you very much for the link. That looks like it will solve my problem. I appreciate that you took the time to help me today!

[bceng]

Has this feature been incorporated into adobe std or prof so my corp can purchase it?

[try67]

You can flatten the file with the comments opened. That way it will always

be printed (but you won't be able to edit them any more).

[bceng]

I have adobe 8.1.5 how do I flatten with this version.

[try67]

There are several ways of doing it. Here's one:

http://www.aecbytes.com/tipsandtricks/2006/issue2-acrobat.html

[bceng]

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately, if 8.1.5 can't do it I'll have to wait until corp can upgrade to pro 9, which appears to be able to do flattening.

[try67]

Acrobat v8.1.5 can do it just fine.

[bceng]

May I ask if you tell me how?

[try67]

Did you follow the link I posted?

[bceng]

Yes. But my IT will not allow us to do downloads and they normally do not make modifications to software that did not come from the mfg. So, as I understand it, without this download 8.1.5 does not have an the capabilities to flatten. Another thought, did adobe issue an "update" that incorporates this feature, my IT may be able to use it.

[try67]

Open the JavaConsole (Ctrl+J), enter this:

this.flattenPages();

Select it, and press the Enter key at the bottom-right of the keyboard.

[bceng]

Thanks, but this action does not work on my IT controlled PC. I'll have to wait until a later version is issued by my IT

[try67]

There's another option, but I don't remember it exactly. It's somewhere in

the file optimize dialog, I think.

[brennao]

Can't you just print to PDF? Have the document open in Acrobat, with all the comments open and readable, and then go to File>Print, and pick the Adobe PDF printer.

[bceng]

Yes. But I want to be in adobe, make comments and save to a file that can be inserted into, say word, with the comments in tack. I decided to try once more with the save as file and WOW the PNG does what I want. As the saved PNG file it inserts to word, with the comments and saves and prints a word doc with the comment in tack.

thanks