Problem with PDF/A mode

[b0bbincat]

One of the journals I read regularly published their articles in PDF/A format.  I prefer to read and make comments on my computer but can't comment in PDF/A mode.  Can anyone please tell me how I can convert this document into a form where I can make comments.  I have tried saving the file as a normal pdf but I still can't make comments on it.  I don't care if the text shows up as text or an image at this point; I just wnat to be able to put a sticky note on the thing.

Cheers!

Barbara

[~graffiti]

Do you have Acrobat (if so, what version)?

I have tried saving the file as a normal pdf but I still can't make comments on it. 

Using what application and what steps?

[b0bbincat]

Acrobat Pro 9.0 (mac)

[~graffiti]

Hmm.

Have you checked the documents security settings?

File>Properties>Security.

[b0bbincat]

Yes and it says everthing is allowed: printing, chaning the document, document assembly, content copying, content copying for accessibility, page extraction, commenting, filling of form fields, signing, and creation of template pages.

[MichaelKazlow]

Switch the View documents in PDF/A mode to Never.

[lrosenth]

NO!!!!!

There is a reason that we this option is present and default to True.  If you turn it off, your PDF/A compliant files will NOT view correctly.  See <http://blogs.adobe.com/pdfitmatters/2010/03/details_matter_conforming_with.html> for more details about the importance of this setting and why NOT to change it.

[RoarHe]

Then, is it any "legal" and approved way to comment / annotate / on PDF/A documents?   I work as an auditor, and I of course would like to have the original content securely held and not changed in any way, BUT I also want to make comments/notes, annotations, add stamps e.g. "approved" or "rejected" ... to make this a part of the documentation for my work as required by the International Audit Standards.   I should guess similar requirements applies to other groups of users too, and should have been an option.

[lrosenth]

Make a copy of the document, storing away the original/archival version.  Then open the copy and use the method described above to remove the PDF/A informatiion (turning it back into a "regular" PDF) and you can comment to your hearts content.

[Harperist]

How can I do that when I don't have the "Document" option under Preferences? I have a PDF that I did not originate that I have to edit, but cannot find any way in my version of Adobe to even find PDF/A, much less turn it off. I've read through all the comments I can locate on how to "ungray" my editing options (all security options allow everything to be changed), and it all seems to come down to turning off PDF/A, which I cannot find.

Thanks!

[Dave Merchant]

I totally agree with Leonard in that you shouldn't turn off PDF/A Mode *routinely*, but if you do need to apply comments to a PDF/A file and retain the PDF/A status, you can turn it off *temporarily* - though you must keep in mind that you're restricted as to the types of annotation you can apply, or they'll break the validation.

See this tutorial on AcrobatUsers.com for more information.

[BarbLS]

Can this setting (View documents in PDF/A mode: Never) be tied to specific documents? Or is it all or nothing?

[lrosenth]

You can remove the compliance with PDF/A by using the "Remove PDF/A information" profile in Preflight (Advanced->Preflight).

[b0bbincat]

I tried this, it didn't fix the problem when I opened the new document it still would not let me add comments.  I understand the risks of turning off PDF/A but it has not affected the viewing of my documents and works.  I think there is a glitch with documents from this particular journal becuase the PDF/A can not be verified either.  The other solution I found was to open the doucment in mac viewer save it as a pdf and then open it with adobe.  This also will fix the problem but is a pain in the rear.

Cheers!

Barbara

[TomD12345]

Try this:

1) Copy the URL of your PDF/A journal article

2) Open Acrobat 9.0  Go to:   Advanced > Webcapture > Create PDF From/Append Web Page

3) Paste the URL of the PDF/A document into this window.

When I do this, Acrobat creates a pdf from the PDF/A.  It appears identical to the PDF/A, but I can add comments, etc.

Tom