Some PDFs causing an error when opened with droplets run with Photoshop v25.9 or later

Report · Sep 12, 2024

I use Photoshop droplets to convert print PDFs exported from InDesign to JPGs for proofing. I'm getting an error on a handful of PDFs since updating to version 25.9.

"Could not open "filename.pdf" because this is not an Adobe Photoshop PDF image"

I reverted back to v25.7 and they process just fine. I don't see anything obviously different with these PDFs vs the others that don't cause an error.

I'm exporting as PDF v1.4, and I've tried exporting as v1.5, 1.6 and 1.7 but still getting the same error. If I export as v1.3 they process fine, but that involves flattening which is not an option for my workflow.

I've isolated objects in the InDesign file that cause the issues, but there's no consistency. One file was using a placed PDF and the file processed fine when I left that out. Another file had a group of objects, specifically two circles, one on top of another with an image in one of them. When I simply nudged the top circle without the image up 1pt within the group, it ran fine. Another file had a group of objects for the logo that someone pasted multiple times in the same place. When I deleted the extra groups, it ran fine.

The droplet begins with an open command with "Open as smart object". I've been using droplets with these same commands for years with no issues. I've tested more recent versions of Photoshop including the most recent beta and they all still give that same error. 25.7 is the most recent version that doesn't have this issue.

Out of about 200 different PDFs, I've only gotten this error on 3 of them, so it's not a massive issue, but it's enough to keep me from running the latest update. I'm using the beta version to take advantage of other features when needed.

I'm attaching the 3 PDFs that don't process as well as 2nd versions of each one that do process after making the changes described above.

Any help or ideas would be appreciated, but this appears to be a problem in the more recent Photoshop versions vs changing how I build or export the ads from InDesign. Hoping ADOBE can investigate and fix this so I can update to the current version again.

Report · Nov 16, 2024

Started a support chat last week on this and the operator said they were escallating this to the dev team. I'll keep testing the BETA and live updates and will post if anything changes.

Report · Jan 08, 2025

I can replicate this issue from InDesign by creating a block of text with a drop shadow and duplicating it on top in the exact same position. I found that most of the problems could be isolated to instances where an object with an effect was occupying the exact same position. Moving either one before exporting the PDF fixed the problem.

Sometimes the problem PDFs would give the error message when opened with the droplet, other times photoshop would just crash.

A few other instances were being caused by placed vector graphics. Those files could have the same circumstances inside them, but I didn't isolate.

Tested with InDesign 20.0.1 and Photoshop beta 26.3.0. Photoshop 25.7 does not have the problem.

Report · Jan 08, 2025

Channeling Yoda:

"A poor RIP, Photoshop makes".

Report · Jan 08, 2025

LOL! Yes I've been using PS as a RIP for decades. Actually it's the most reliable way to proof a PDF, so I'm hoping they can figure out what broke it. But good point. They really should have a built in proofing system that goes from source to final to proof. I've built my own with Droplets and Automator over the years. Now I'm using Shortcuts to add margin and a slug block. It reads codes in the file name for size, issue and zone to fill the slug info. I find it ridiculous that Adobe has never addressed this need for print designers in production workflows. "Know what needs their customers have they do not."

Report · Jan 08, 2025

LOL! Yes I've been using PS as a RIP for decades.

OK, I'm coming from the perspective of inkjet proofing RIPs, not softproofing. Particularly so for CMYK + Spot Colours which may also include white or metallics, often for packaging mockup and proofing.

Actually it's the most reliable way to proof a PDF

By @Aaron Tipton

We'll need to agree to disagree on this point, as Photoshop is not a PDF processor and doesn't support all PDF features. So for you and your workflow it may suffice.

For the problem files, you could try to use Acrobat Pro to rasterize the PDF.

Anyway, I don't wish to hijack your bug report.

Report · Jan 08, 2025

No worries. No I'm not really using it like a traditional prepress RIP for high res output. I'm using it to make low res RGB proofs of InDesign CMYK PDFs for print. When I say it's the most reliable, I mean it renders postscript and transparency into pixels more accurately and correctly than anything else, probably because it's Adobe reading Adobe.