Export script for multiple files and filetypes?

[Dan Brown Patt]

Hi,

I have a 12pp guide which I need to export multiple files from on a regular basis: The various formats are:

• A print ready 12pp PDF (including crop marks/bleed)
• A low resolution 12pp PDF (smallest file size preset)
• The last three pages as a high res PDF (but no tick marks/bleed)
• & The last three pages as separate jpgs optimised to view on screen (96dpi etc.)

Wondering if there is a script out there which I can use to do this as it would save me a lot of time as currently have to do it manually each time. 😕

Many Thanks in advance,

Dan

[AnneMarie Concepcion · Accepted solution]

I don't know of a script that will do exactly that, but  I'm wondering if you  might find Peter Kahrel's  free Batch Export script helpful to do some of it? 

Free script Batch convert/export InDesign documents | Peter Kahrel

For example, it could do the first 2 bullet  points in one operation, since  it  lets you choose multiple presets for the same INDD files.

You might ask the author, Peter, (very open to emails) if there's a way to specify page range here, too, to include the 3rd bullet point. Or just make a preset for it, and choose 3 presets. In Acro, delete the first 9 pages of that PDF.

Sorry, don't know of a way to include your last request, saving out last 3 pages as JPGs of a certain ppi in a script. You can export from Acrobat to JPG but you don't get to select a page range nor resolution, just quality level. Looks like they export at 200 ppi by default.

AM

[Dan Brown Patt]

thank you i'll try this tomorrow. Also sent Peter an email to see if he can help any further,

many thanks

Dan

[Colin Flashman]

It is definitely possible to script the first two exports:

http://www.id-extras.com/script-to-export-multiple-pdfs-at-once

It is also possible to script the last two requests, but it's something I can't write at the moment as I'm about to head off to work.

Perhaps ask this question in the indesign scripting forum or have the moderator of this forum move this post to indesign scripting you may find a more appropriate answer.

[Dan Brown Patt]

Thanks for your response Colin i'll give this a go. I'm new to the forums so not sure how to move the thread via the administrator but will repost in the indesign scripting forum to see if it can be done in it's entirety,

many thanks again,

Dan

[TᴀW]

Looks like it could be done with Zevrix's Automate InDesign printing and exporting | Output Factory

My Extract Pages | Id-Extras.com could do most of the work*, but not (as of now) the JPG export.

Ariel

*Just thinking out loud here: If using my "Extract Pages" script, you would need to paste the following into the "Range" field on top: 1-12, 10-12.

Then select to extract as "Groups of pages".

You would then set up the 3 PDF export presets and folders you need (click on the "Select PDF presets and folders" button). Add a suffix to each of the presets so you know what's what.

Now export as PDFs.

You would then get 2 PDF files per preset, one that includes all pages, and another that includes the last 3 pages only.

All that would remain is to delete the uneeded PDF files (i.e. the 3-page ones for the first 2 presets, and the complete one for the 3rd preset)

[Dan Brown Patt]

Hi Ariel,

Thanks for your response. The output factory works great and exactly what I need. The single workflows I've created work as intended when exported by themselves, however I've encountered a problem when I create an action to group the workflows together. For some reason for each of the PDF's that require every page it has adopted the page range 10-12? Not sure why this would be unless when batched together they have to be of the same page range? Do you have much experience using this tool and can you advise as to why this would be?

Thank you,

Dan

[Peter Kahrel]

> For some reason for each of the PDFs that require every page it has adopted the page range 10-12?

That means that after setting the export range to 10-12, the export range is not reset to all pages. That's a bug in the program, should be an easy fix. If you report the bug the programmer should fix it.

P.

[TᴀW]

Hi Dan,

I have zero experience using Output Factory. All I know about it is what I've seen on their website. Have you tried to contact them about the issue?

Ariel

[Dan Brown Patt]

Hi Ariel,

Yeah I've emailed them regarding the potential bug after Peter suggested it. Have since tried it using various combinations of workflows i.e. keeping the 12pp and 3pp's in separate actions but even that didn't alleviate the problem so can't quite put my finger on it. So will wait for a response from their support team, although it's paid software would be worth it versus time saved provided it can be fixed,

Many Thanks,

Dan

[leo.r]

Hi all,

As the developer of Output Factory I'd like to follow up on this:

Dan contacted me and we sorted out the issue.

There's no bug. Output Factory has an option to save page range within individual workflows (whether it's All pages or a specific range).

Once Dan checked this option, each workflow was executed with its specific page range as required.

If this option is unchecked, each workflow will be executed with the page range set in the first workflow.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via our contact page Solutions for Adobe InDesign, Graphics, Print & File Delivery | Zevrix Solutions

Thanks,
Leo