How to export layers into multi-page PDF?

[luftikus143]

Hi there,

after looking around a bit, it seems there is still not a very direct solution to export multiple layers into multi-page PDFs. As I have a couple of dozen layers, the "artwork" solution does not seem to be the right one in my case.

Anybody has a suggestion, tipp, how this can be done? A script?

Thanks for any hints!

[Wade_Zimmerman1 · Accepted solution]

Make as many artboards as you have layers.

select the art on a layer easiest way is to use the layers panel.

Command C to copy

refocus on the artboard with the same number as the layer or if the layers have names, name the artboards accordingly and select to match that way.

then command shift V to place in place the art will be pasted in the same position on the artboard as it was on artboard one or relative to the original.

when you have all the artboards with their content in place save it as a pdf. using the use artboard feature select all or a range

and now you have a multipage pdf.

yes I know this not what you want but in the future just remember this is how it works and be prepared to have an artboard for each layer.

And it is not that much work to do this.

[bleusky]

This works, but it makes you have to rethink your work flow. It seems like Adobe could think of something simpler.

[luftikus143]

I find that the disadvantage with this approach lies in the fact that if I have objects in different layers which are on some pages at the same spot (x,y coordinates), I can't verify it that easily.

I mean, it really shouldn't be such a big problem to write a script which exports each (primary) layer into a separate PDF page... no? Don't know much about Javascript. Have done it with PHP though...

[CarlosCanto]

Mark wrote a script to save each layer to a separate PFD file

http://forums.adobe.com/message/2638428

[luftikus143]

Very, very nice. Exactly what I wanted (and what I would have expected Adobe to provide me with). Great! Thanks a lot!

[CarlosCanto]

you're welcome, and thanks to Mark for writing it.

I just noticed I wrote PFD (Prepared For Dye) instead of PDF, oh well.

[Scott Falkner]

bleusky wrote:

This works, but it makes you have to rethink your work flow. It seems like Adobe could think of something simpler.

They did. it’s called multiple artboards.

[runninghead_design]

I can't believe this is the right answer- surely a simple script exists to do this chore?

[creather]

Bring your multilayered file into InDesign, After placing image on a page > make a duplicate > Right click on image > and select manage layers. Voila! 

[Jansseune]

creather, fab solution, thanks. If you have Indesign then this is the answer. Just a note for others, and for clarity, "After placing image on a page > make a PAGE duplicate > Right click on image > and select manage layers.

[dan512]

This might help..File > Scripts> SaveDocs as PDF

[Sopper]

Om dit te bereiken niet alleen met lagen werken, maar ook met tekengebieden. Als voorbeeld : een plattegrond van een huis met daar overheen. 1) laag met verloop elektra. 2) laag met verloop van waterleidingwerk. 3) laag met afvoerleidingen. 4) laag met meubilair.
Hoe ga je te werk…

• Maak een nieuw document met 4 tekengebieden
• teken in het eerste tekengebied de plattegrond en maak daar een symbool van
• kopieer het symbool en plak deze met ctrl-shift-v op ieder tekengebied
• teken in ieder tekengebied de relevante informatie

Als je het bestand bewaard als PDF krijg je een PDF van 4 pagina's

Tips

• geef ieder tekengebied de naam van de betreffende pagina
• maak voor de basis (de plattegrond) een aparte laag en geef die laag ook die naam
• maak voor iedere pagina een laag met de naam van die betreffende pagina en zet alles van die pagina ook in die laag
• maak gebruik van de vensters "lagen" en "tekengebieden"