How to generate low-res PDF from my frame book?

Report · May 23, 2020

I'm banging my head against the wall right now, it seems.

I have a Frame book that contains docs with some very large images.

When I print the book to pdf without changing any settings, the pdf is ~7.5MB in size.
However, I need to general a copy that is < 6MB (max size for loading to a particular site).

Last night, I managed to hit a setting that, when I generated the document, created a 960KB pdf. Yay!

The problem now is ... I didn't record the setting that I changed (I'd tried various options) and it was very late at night when I did it. Thus... now I can't remember what the setting was. I've gone through all the print setup and pdf setup options I can find, and cannot significantly reduce the size (the smallest I get now is ~7.1 MB).

In a nutshell (too late), if I were in InDesign I would generate a webready file. I need to know how to do that in Frame -- and I *know* that it can be accomplished with a *single* setting. But I just can't find it.

Can anybody point me in the correct direction?

(In the meantime, I see that I can use Acrobat's 'Save as Other > Reduced Size' option to get a doc ~1.6 MB, which will do for now, but I *really* would like to know how I accomplished the even smaller size through Frame directly :-))

Thanks!

Report · May 23, 2020

What version of FM?

What graphics file format(s)?
What PDF generation path?
- Publish
- Print to PDF
- Save as PDF
- Print to Ps & Distill
Answer is conceptually the same for all workflows, but dialog pathways differ.

Report · May 24, 2020

Hi JaggedPeak:

It's usually comes down to the images. In a nutshell, the more you compress the images, the smaller the resulting file. There are certainly other factors that come into play – if the fonts are embedded, if you are using articles, the compatibility level, if optimized for fast web view is enabled—but mostly it comes down to images.

Smaller isn't always better, however—you want to balance file size with images that still look good on screen. If you downsample too much, your images may be too pixelated to be recognizable.

You haven't told us yet what version you are using which allows us be more specific, so start here:

In 2019, edit the .sts file in the Publish pod and experiment with the following three Presets: Standard Classic, Standard, and Smallest File size. Again you are trying to balance the file size with the clarity of the images. Use File > Save as PDF to create the files after you change the settings.
In 2017 and earlier, experiment with these two PDF Job Options: Standard and Smallest File size. This is available after you select File > Save as PDF.

Smallest file size will always add the most compression to the images and produce the smallest files, but it does not embed the fonts, which can be problematic. The job options files can be customized, but we need to know your version before we can offer more information.

One other note, when you use Acrobat's File > Save as Other > Reduced Sized PDF you are just changing the compatibility level. Generally speaking, the higher compatibility level, the smaller the resulting PDF. FrameMaker 2019 offers the ability to set the compatibility level on export. 2017 and earlier does not.

~Barb

Report · May 24, 2020

Thanks Bob/Barb.

Frame 2019, build 15.0.5.838

Generating via File > Print Book > Adobe PDF

I'll play with the items you mentioned.

I do know that when I managed the first time to create the small file (<1MB) I didn't have to save any settings under a new profile, there was just something that I applied 'this time'.

In the process of doing that, yes, it downsampled the images heavily, which would be unacceptable for general use. However, this doc is simply being used for FCC certification -- the items of concern are the values and the FCC compliance statements, not the quality of the graphics.

I'll look into finding the option of setting the compatibility level on export in Frame (to avoid having to do it after in Acrobat).

I just wish I knew what magic I performed the first time 🙂

Report · May 24, 2020

You'll need to nav down to the PDF Job Options, and that path doesn't seem to provide an obvious way to edit them.

The File » Print Setup
with Adobe PDF selected
has an [Edit], in which you probably want the
"Images" pane.
This provides separate controls for down-sampling & compressing contone color, contone monochrome and flat bitmap images.

If they don't compress, usual suspects include indexed color images.

I normally create uniquely named Job Options for my work, rather than hack the the provided library instances.

Report · May 25, 2020

Hi JaggedPeak:

If you are trying to remain within the FrameMaker interface, then at least enable save for fast web view and disable create tagged PDF (assuming you're not posting this online anywhere where someone with visual disability will need a screen reader to help them read it).

If you want to keep exploring, open Distiller. It is a separate application that is installed at the same time as Adobe Acrobat and edit either the Standard or the Smallest file size .joboption.

In my example below, I'm showing you that the list that you see in FrameMaker is controlled by Distiller. I am editing the smallest file size .joboptions file so that it embeds fonts—there are plenty of settings to experiment with—but that's a basic change. Once I save it and return to FrameMaker, that new job option automatically appears in the list.

That's what Bob is referring to when he says "I normally create uniquely named Job Options for my work, rather than hack the the provided library instances". I do the same thing. That's really the best way to gain control over the export settings.

~Barb