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Post by Adam Souza on Sept 14, 2010 13:33:57 GMT -9
Normally, I make PDFs by printing them to a virtual printer (Primo PDF). The output is exactly like it would be on paper, but saved as a PDF.
I'm working on a project where I have costume elements that I want to be able to choose between team colors (Red/Blue/Yellow).
I have the artwork, with layers of various color, and I can print them out as a PDF with a single color choice, but I want to be able to produce a PDF that will allow the user to print the team with their choice of colors, but I can't figure out how.
I'm using GIMP, and the layered file is in GIMP proprietary .XCF format.
I also have Adobe Photo Elements 5, but I'm not familiar with how to use it. APE5 can't open the .XCF files. It would probably be more usefull if I knew another file format I could save it in that supported layers.
So, can anyone can tell me, how do I make a PDF with layers, with freeware or what I already have ?
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Post by squirmydad on Sept 14, 2010 18:40:23 GMT -9
As far as I know, only a few programs can naively do layered PDF, and they are all expensive, which sucks.
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Post by Adam Souza on Sept 14, 2010 20:04:46 GMT -9
Thanks for the reply Jim.
FDG TOM mentioned InDesign, which is expensive, but I've come across Scribus, which is touted as a freeware alternative to InDesign.
I'm going to play with it and see what it can do.
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Post by old squirmydad on Sept 14, 2010 20:29:27 GMT -9
InDesign (not free) is dead simple fun to work with. You can also use Illustrator (again, not free), but it doesn't work as well imho. Curious to see what results you get with Scribus, I'll have to go check it out myself.
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Post by glennwilliams on Sept 14, 2010 21:06:13 GMT -9
I find InDesign a little hinky for layered pdfs (which is why I don't do them). Looking either for something easier or just invest the time(which might mean it's my responsibility to make my work more manageable--dang, I hate when that happens).
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Post by Sirrob01 on Sept 14, 2010 22:44:05 GMT -9
Scribus has a bug in it's pdf view/print layer functionality. myself and Jabbro played around with it about 6-12 months back. The needed bug fix is this one, lodged by Jabbro: bugs.scribus.net/view.php?id=8490Until it's fixed we're a bit stuck for free layered pdf creator:(
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Post by jabbro on Sept 15, 2010 4:26:26 GMT -9
Yeah, I know of no freeware. I like Scribus for its layout and I use it to design most my PDFs. It works better than many pro tools and allows for an easy graphics replacement and template layout. For layered PDFs I still have to take them to Acrobat professional. Luckily I have access to that at work, so it is simple to go in and change the one setting, but again not free.
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Post by WaffleM on Sept 15, 2010 9:53:50 GMT -9
I've been using Acrobat Pro, but it isn't free either and is a bit of a pain to work with. For some reason I can't delete layers. That should be a simple thing, but it has me totally stumped...
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Post by jabbro on Sept 16, 2010 3:51:23 GMT -9
Sorry, WafffleM, I know nothing you can do for that. You can change the layer preferences to never visible and never print, but you cannot remove a layer doing anything short of recreating the PDF in the fist place. At least that is my experience.
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Post by Dominic on Sept 30, 2010 22:39:07 GMT -9
Seems like they'll add the required feature in an upcoming version, and if they stick to their schedule we should be set to layer with scribus next year - 1st of January 2011.
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Post by BilliamBabble Inked Adventures on Oct 3, 2010 10:33:42 GMT -9
I use Open Office (which is free) - mainly use "Draw" which exports to PDF with almost no limitations - I used to use PrimoPDF but find it a bit clumsy. I haven't yet found a feature which creates layers - or translates layers in PDF, but it might be in there lurking somewhere ....
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