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name_change2_july4th
Participant
June 21, 2017
Answered

I have 4 pdf maps that I need to join together to make a 2 x 2 map. How can I do that and still retian the PDF characteristics?

  • June 21, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 7027 views

I have several maps which were created in some unknown cartography software, divided into a grid, and printed to PDF. I would like to be able to place some of the smaller map files into a new file which displays them in a grid. It is not necessary to "join" the individual maps together, however, I do need to be able to retain PDF features such as being able to switch Layers on/off (does not have to be applied to all segment at one time,) zooming in without loss of detail, commenting and drawing. I could export the segments to .jpg and place them in a spreadsheet, which would allow me to view the larger map as a whole, but I lose all of the features. Does anyone have a good solution?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Luke Jennings

Do you have InDesign? If so, create a new InDesign file to the 2x2 map size, place the 4 PDFs into the InDesign file in the 4 quadrants of the page. You can select each placed file and use Object> Layer Options to turn on and off the layers (assuming InDesign can recognize the layers).

There is a work-around to produce a combined PDF with layers, e.g. let's say the maps have a layer named "Roads", create a new InDesign layer named Roads, copy the placed maps into the new layer, use Object> Layer Options to turn off all (placed PDF) layers except Roads. Repeat for each additional layer. Export your InDesign file to a new PDF, choosing the "Include Acrobat Layers" export option.

2 replies

W
WillAtAvenza
Participant
June 22, 2017

Hi Dennis,

A good solution here would be to import the PDFs into Illustrator using Avenza's MAPublisher plug-in. If the PDFs have spatial coordinates built-in they will mosaic automatically, and depending on how they were created MAPublisher should be able to parse all of the layers and attribute data no problem. You could then edit and markup the document using MAPublisher's built in capabilities, or the tools native to AI. You would then be able to save the document as an AI file or export to geospatial PDF and in either case the layer information would be preserved, and since you are working in a vector environment you would be able to zoom into a very high level of detail.

Hope this suggestion helps! If you have any more questions about MAPublisher feel free to let me know.

Will Hampton

Applications Specialist

Avenza Systems Inc

N
name_change2_july4thAuthor
Participant
June 26, 2017

Hi, Will..

Great looking product.That sounds like the solution. I tried the In-Design suggestion offered by Luke, but it apparently doesn't preserve the vector format. Although MAPublisher sounds like a very strong piece of software, I will have to pass. My need for this is very limited. Every year, I help several friends fight their property taxes by searching for errors in the appraised values of their properties. At most, I analyze the data for a couple of dozen properties. I use the maps created by the taxing authorities to find evidence of the government's over-valuation. Oftentimes the properties are situated near the edge of a map, making it advantageous to join two or more maps. Unfortunately, since this is not a business venture, I can't justify the cost of the product for my uses. But, if I ever get to the point of doing this professionally, MAPublisher will be my first investment.

Thank you for your input.

Hoping all the best for your company,

Dennis

Luke Jennings
Luke Jennings
Inspiring
June 27, 2017

Hello Dennis, InDesign should not be removing vector information, unless you tell it to do so. If you were able to create the desired layers in InDesign, export to a PDF from InDesign using the PDF/X-4 standard and check the box for "Include Acrobat layers". The vectors and layers should be preserved.

If you want, you can create buttons in InDesign which can be used to show and hide the various layers in your PDF when viewed in Acrobat or Adobe Reader. (you would export an interactive PDF from InDesign and assign the button functions in Acrobat).

Luke Jennings
Luke JenningsCorrect answer
Inspiring
June 21, 2017

Do you have InDesign? If so, create a new InDesign file to the 2x2 map size, place the 4 PDFs into the InDesign file in the 4 quadrants of the page. You can select each placed file and use Object> Layer Options to turn on and off the layers (assuming InDesign can recognize the layers).

There is a work-around to produce a combined PDF with layers, e.g. let's say the maps have a layer named "Roads", create a new InDesign layer named Roads, copy the placed maps into the new layer, use Object> Layer Options to turn off all (placed PDF) layers except Roads. Repeat for each additional layer. Export your InDesign file to a new PDF, choosing the "Include Acrobat Layers" export option.

N
name_change2_july4thAuthor
Participant
June 21, 2017

Thanks for the response, Luke. No, I don't have InDesign, but your description of the process sounds like exactly what I am trying to do. Is InDesign like the old Adobe (Aldus) PageMaker? If so, that's the answer I have been seeking for quite a while. I'll get the trial to test it. If it works, it will be well worth the investment.

Dennis

Luke Jennings
Luke Jennings
Inspiring
June 22, 2017

InDesign is somewhat like Pagemaker, but Pagemaker has pretty much been gone for years. InDesign has many complex features with a steep learning curve, but you can master the basics without too much trouble. Lynda.com has some good courses with a free trial, and there is always youtube. The Adobe InDesign forum also has a wealth of collected knowledge and is a good place to go if you get stuck.

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