Single page pdf from Multi-page pdf while maintaining true text and vectors, that is, not rastering the document. This explanation is intended to be complete. Unfortunately, in this matter there are a number of things which must be set up. Once done, it will be very easy to choose this output in the future.
This was developed today after looking for an easier way of inserting UL Assemblies into an Autocad construction plan set. Given the size of the construction plan sheets and the large number of sheets in a set of plans, it is important to keep file sizes manageable while keeping text crisp. Therefore, it is important to avoid rasterizing the text. I am explaining my settings in the context in which I use them which includes Adobe Acrobat Pro X and Windows 8.1 Pro. They can be modified as needed for other uses. If you wish to test different scenarios, please do so without the expectation that others will do it for you.
The primary feature is to combine multiple pages of pdfs while retaining the true text for searching, keeping the file size at a minimum and the print quality at a maximum.
Key requirements: Properly set up Acrobat Print Settings Joboptions (explained below)
Custom Page Size as needed
Page Sizing & Handling: Multiple
Pages per sheet: Custom: 1 by 5 (for example)
Old way was to place and arrange multiple pdf's in modelspace and use multiple viewports to reassemble the pages into a detail in the plan layout view. Note that this required me to customize th Adobe print settings. Plan files I receive from architects and engineers indicate that their standard settings result in these files pdfs being rasterized resulting in huge files that are fuzzy looking and print poorly.
New way is to create a one page pdf that is as long as needed to contain all the the original pages while not losing the editable/searchable text or vector lines. This single document makes both the creation of the plan document and management of the referenced files easier. Note that the original multi-page document must not be a raster (image, not true text) document. There may be many other ways to do this. This works for me and has taken a lot longer to write up then to set up (worked in my initial pass). Defaults indicated below are my current defaults which may have been altered from Adobe's defaults.
The first thing you are going to need is a Adobe PDF Settings "joboptions" file with settings that minimize damage to the text and vector contents in a pdf. My settings are based on my prior experience in creating lightweight, non-rasterized pdfs from and for Autocad.
The following are settings specific to creating the needed custom Adobe PDF settings file.
File > Print > {set printer to Adobe PDF} > Properties
Default Settings: (yours probably says Standard - you will need to create a new configuration to avoid rasterizing your pdf) > Edit (important: you must use Saveas later to create a new, reusable Settings choice).
General:
Compatibility: Acrobat 8.0 (PDF 1.7)
Object Level Compression: Off
Auto-Rotate Pages: Collectively by File
Binding: Left
Resolution: 600
All Pages
Optimize for fast web view
Default Page Size. Width: 8.5 Height: 55 (for my initial 5 letter size conversion); Units: Inches
Images: Turn all Downsample and Compression to OFF
Fonts:
Embed all fonts: Check (meaning the fonts in the current document)
Subset embedded fonts... less than: 100% (if you think this pdf may need to be editing, I would turn this off)
When embedding fails: Warn and continue
Embedding
Font Source will be your Fonts
Always Embed: none (doesn't seem much point since you will "Embed all fonts" per above)
Never Embed: none (Probably lists a bunch of standard fonts. Assuming that others have thes fonts on their devices is probably a mistake.)
Color: (Keep in mind my usage is to create monochrome files for construction plans. You may want to manage your colors)
Adobe Color Settings file: None
Color Management Policies:: Leave Color Unchanged; Document Rendering Intent: Preserve
Working Spaces: all grayed out due to "Leave Color Unchanged"
Device-Dependant Data
both unchecked
Advanced
The only item that I think might affect the desired outcome is: checked "Save original JPEG images in PDF if possible". The original pdf already had its jpeg images compressed. Doing more most likely will result in very poor quality.
Standards
Compliance Standard: None
rest grayed out
IMPORTANT: Use Save As... at bottom of any of the screens to create a new ".joboptions" file. Mine was saved in the default location: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe PDF\Settings
The following are settings specific to creating a single page from a multi-page pdf.
PRINTER SETTINGS
Printer: {Adobe PDF} Properties (by tab)
Layout: Portrait
Paper/Quality
Paper Source: OnlyOne (automatically might work, but is what I tried)
Color: Black & White (for construction plan printing)
Advanced:
Paper Size: Oversize 8.5 x 55 (example for 5 letter sheets)
Must be created if not previously done. Create new sizes as needed.
Copy Count: 1 copy (default)
Print Quality: 1200dpi (default)
Image Color Management:
ICM items grayed out
Scaling: 100%
TrueType Font: Substitute with Device Font
Document Options - unchanged
Adobe PDF Settings - the Default Settings must be changed from Standard or similar to the new Adobe PDF Settings File you (may have) created above.
Default Settings: (see my settings below)(yours probably says Standard - you will need to create a new configuration to avoid rasterizing your pdf)
Multi-page PDF for Autocad (custom settings I created)
Adobe PDF Security: None
Adobe PDF Output Folder: Prompt for Adobe PDF filename
Adobe PDF Page Size: Oversize 8.5 x 55 (for example - created previously - see above)
Rest of tab settings do not matter
Adobe Acrobat Print Settings
Print All or Pages range
Page Sizing & Handling: Multiple
Pages per sheet: Custom: 1 by 5 (for example)
Page order: Vertical
Orientation: Portrait
Print (ta-da!)
As previously noted, this is not intended to be the only way. There may be a number of settings which can be changed and still provide the same results. Page size settings, of course, must be changed in accordance with your specific needs. I hope my explanation helps others as I have been helped many times from people's explanations of a wide array of things. (I also intend to give it to my architect and engineers so that their plans will be better and more portable.)
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. You select your files, choose print, choose two pages pr page, choose your pdf-printer and boom!
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