How to isolate layers

[sonja226424171cwf]

Hi guys, I'm having a bit of a problem, I've recently changed my company name and instead of going through the hasstle to make new catalogues I want to know is there a way that I can just edit the old ones, I've managed to import the PDF into Photoshop, but the page imports as one layer, all I need to change is the old watermark to the new one, is there a way that  can isolate layers or something, to just delete the old watermark, I really don't want to recreate all this hard work by creating new catalogues.

See sample photo below of exported page.

Kind Regards

Sonja

[SJRiegel]

Do you know what software was originally used to create the catalog? The best solution would be to get the original source files, change the logo and output new PDFs. 

If all you have is the PDF file, the second-best would be to open the file in Acrobat Pro, and replace the logos there.

[Stephen Marsh]

Rasterizing a vector PDF is a really unkind thing to do to a PDF, why be so mean? :]

Unless this was originally a Photoshop PDF saved with layers, you don't get layers opening a generic PDF in Photoshop. It's about using the right tool for the job, which is probably not Photoshop.

Acrobat Pro and 3rd party tools such as Enfocus PitStop Pro or Callas pdfToolbox would be the standard approach if one does not have access to the original creative files such as InDesign documents, Illustrator documents etc.

[Trevor.Dennis]

See if you can attach one of the PDF files to this thread.

[Test Screen Name]

Photoshop is definitely not the right tool for the job. But there may not be any suitable tool. Likely, though, Acrobat is your best bet. 

however, remaking the catalogues is the 'right' way. Editing PDF is a risky business. 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Open your PDF in Acrobat and go to File>Properties. It may list what program created the PDF. 

For example, if it's InDesign, you might be able to get the original ID file. You can get a PDF converted to InDesign too. 

Other options:

Use Find/Replace in Acrobat for the text names.

I would use redact set to white to remove the logo. You can insert the new logo on just the opening page or on every page if you have the patience. 

[jane-e]

I agree with @Dave Creamer of IDEAS that we need to know how the file was created (Acrobat: File > Properties). Finding the source file and editing it is the best choice.

While you might be able to make the edits with Adobe Acrobat, it doesn't always work and it can be frustrating or impossible. You can export the text to Word (still not a great solution).

Although it is not recommended by Adobe, some people have success editing PDFs in Illustrator. You can at least copy and paste from the PDF in Illustrator.

You can also purchase PDF to InDesign from Recosoft and edit the catalog in InDesign. Keep a copy forever so you can make future edits.

https://www.recosoft.com/converting-pdf-to-indesign-2021-using-latest-adobe-indesign-converter-plug-...

Don't use Photoshop to edit your catalog. It's the worst of all of these choices.

Jane

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Another PDF to InDesign converter to check out is PDFMarkz from Markzware.