Mask and save PDF

[Ben35515819de9n]

Hello All,

I have an issue.

I need to cover some areas on a pdf file so they will not be possible to read/shown when someone opens the file.

I need to do it batchwise and mostly the markings are on the same spot/area.

But depending on format, for example a A3 and A4 or landscape or portrait are different also for the allignment  ( A3 and A4 or landscape or portrait).

Currently I import all pdf files in a photoshop program named gimp and I have save a transparent layer with on different areas some black squares and then print as PDF and save etc.
 

Would it be possible to do it easier/quicker in Acrobat?
I have tried to draw black boxes and save them, but unfortunately someone else can drag them away when opening the file.

Also when I print them as a pdf through acrobat it shortly shows when opening the file.

I am really looking for a quick solution were I for example do the steps in below:

1.Open the drawing in acrobat

2.Push mask button (each format a3,a4,landscape,portrait has a different button which I setup once)

3.Save (the file will be saved and nothing can be removed or will be shown opening the file)

Hopefully someone can help me with this.

Thanks in advance.

Ben

[try67]

The only safe way to do it is with the Redaction tool.

[Ben35515819de9n]

Hello Try67,

Thank you very much for your reply.

I get it for one page but how can I make an stamp within the redaction tool so everythime when I open a new pdf file I can add this marking and save?

Also some pdf files have an active website link in their logo will this also be disabled when masking the logo?

Many thanks again.

Regards, Ben

[try67]

I don't quite follow what you mean by a stamp, but if you always want to redact the same area then you can use a script to create (and even apply) a Redaction annotation at a specific location on a specific page.

And if that area contains a link that will be removed as well, yes.

[Ben35515819de9n]

I mean to mark the same area on different pdf files.

So the it is not one pdf file with different pages but they are seperate pdf files and I want to open any pdf file and push a button redact and it will mask the areas I have saved in a template or so.

Do you understand what I mean.

Thanks again.

[try67]

Yes, you could use that script in an Action and process multiple files in the same way.

[Ben35515819de9n]

Thanks again.

I am not really into the scripts, but how can I make one?

[Ben35515819de9n]

Hi, 

It has being a while.

I use the redaction tool and it works fine with me.

The only thing I do not like is when I have marked the areas and want to save and overwrite I get 4 questions which i must click and aprove (apply and over write) I want just one click overwrite.

Is that possible in some way?

Thanks again

[try67]

That should not be the case. How are you applying the redactions, exactly?

[Ben35515819de9n]

Hi,

I wil show you what notifications i get when i have an pdf.

I mark the areas.

then i push save in the right corner:

Then I get this notice:

I choose apply and save.

then I get this notification:

I choose continue.

The it opens de "opslaan als" in english "save as".

Because the filename allready exists and I do not want to change the name but want to overwrite, I get the notification below.

I click "opslaan" in english "save".

Then I get the notification "file exists, do you want to overwrite"

I click yes and then it is saved.

I want just 1 click on save to overwrite the file with the marking/redactions I have made instead of all these steps.

How would this be possible?

Thanks again.

[try67]

Create a Custom Command that executes this code:

this.applyRedactions();

this.saveAs(this.path);

Be aware that this is NOT reversible, and since it overwrites the current file any information you remove will be gone forever once you click that button.

[Ben35515819de9n]

Hi Thank A lot.

Can I find somewere how to create a custom command?

[try67]

https://experienceleague.adobe.com/en/docs/document-cloud-learn/acrobat-learning/advanced-tasks/cust...

[Ben35515819de9n]

I do not see the action wizard.

I can see these actions:

[try67]

Yes, that's it. They keep renaming things, unfortunately.

[Ben35515819de9n]

Hi, I have tried several times to figure out how this works with no succes.
I simply do not understand were I need to at the custom commands.

Is there someone who can show me detailed what to do? I will pay a fee if neccesary?

Thanks again.

[try67 · Accepted solution]

Here's the Custom Command file. To import it into Acrobat go to Tools - Action Wizard - Manage Custom Commands - Import, and select it. It should appear in the list as "Apply Redactions and Save".

Now you can add it to the toolbar above the document, like this: Right-click the toolbar and select "Customize Quick Tools", then collapse the "Action Wizard" section and scroll down. You should see the new CC at the bottom of the list:

Select it and click the Add to Toolbar button on the right, and it should be added to the list of quick tools after you click Save.

Click it to apply the redactions in the current file and save it under its current path, without any prompts.

[Ben35515819de9n]

Thanks again.

I select this:

Then I see this:

I do not see any import?Only when I go to this:

But when I select Import I can only select these file formats:

I do not know what i am doing wrong?

[try67]

This is strange... You should have an option to import a Custom Command. What's the version of your application?

[Ben35515819de9n]

[Ben35515819de9n]

I think I found it finally.

Can it be possible the command is slightly different because i still can sellect some numbers in the file.

I do not know if these 2 step are in the command:

Really thanks again.

[try67]

If you don't want these dialogs to appear then use the code I provided instead of the built-in commands.