How to automatically set initial view in PDF from Frame?

Report · Jun 23, 2009

When creating PDFs from Framemaker 9 using Acrobat Pro Extended, is there a way to set the Acrobat Initial View properties so they are automatically used for all PDFs that get created (magnification, bookmarks, display title instead of file name, etc.) I did ask this in the Acrobat forum, but I was referred here to the FrameMaker forum.

Thanks in advance!

Report · Jun 23, 2009

Unfortunately only some of the initial view items can be set from an application -- others can only be controlled by the "consumer" of the PDF, and I believe vary according to which version of Acrobat or Acrobat Reader the consumer is using.

FM's built-in capabilities are shown by viewing File > Print > PDF Setup. Consistent results require use of the "Generate Acrobat Data" checkbox.

In addition, it is possible to insert pdfmark syntax into Postscript text frames in FM, containing instructions that will be passed through to Distiller. Unfortunately this is mostly a big PITA because the pdfmark syntax changes from version to version and the PDFmark Reference Guide from Adobe is, well, quite challenging, to say the least.

The best bet is to use Microtype's TimeSavers utilities with FM, which let you control as many aspects of the PDF process as are possible to do, all directly from within FM. Have a look here: http://www.microtype.com/timesavers.html

TimeSavers is one of the most useful and solid third party add-ons to FM ever created.