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Thunderforge

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 12, 2009
15
0
So I'm starting to get a lot of PDFs that have multiple layers, that is, different levels of text and pictures which can be turned on and off. The main benefit is that you can turn off, say, the pictures layer to make a document more printer friendly.

However, there are a few PDFs I've gotten that just look like a big mess with all the layers turned on. There's a little annotation in the PDFs I've seen like this that say that there are layers in the document, so I know it's not a bad PDF. Adobe Reader can handle these layers, but I can't seem to find a way to get Apple Preview (Leopard version) to acknowledge it or to find a way to turn them on and off. Is there any way to get it to do so? Are there any plans in the future to support it? Or am I stuck using Adobe for those?
 
... Or am I stuck using Adobe for those?
Word to the Wise: If you think that you should be able to view all PDF files using a single application, then you have another think coming. Although PDF is a published standard on paper, it is not a standard in practice. A lot of people generate PDF files using applications that produce non-standard PDF code. Preview can handle most PDF files. Adobe Reader can handle more. Neither can handle them all. I have even received a PDF file that Preview handled well but that Adobe Reader could not.

Bottomline: Use both Adobe Reader and Preview to satisfy your PDF viewing needs.
 
Sorry, I didn't mean to sound ignorant and I didn't expect a harsh response.

I take it from your response that layered PDFs contain non-standard PDF code that Apple Preview does not support. I did not realize that was an issue. Preview has been able to flawlessly view every JPEG image I've thrown at it, for instance, so I naturally assumed it was able to handle every PDF as well. I don't have another program to view JPEGs, so I didn't think I needed to have another to view PDFs.

I don't deal with PDFs often, but Preview has worked for every one up till now. I like using one program for all my needs (it's simple that way). It's a pity that publishers don't adhere to standards so that their PDF only works with a handful of programs.

Even so, I do hope that Preview adds support for layers in the future, as it seems like a good idea.
 
Sorry, I didn't mean to sound ignorant and I didn't expect a harsh response.

... Preview has been able to flawlessly view every JPEG image I've thrown at it, for instance, so I naturally assumed it was able to handle every PDF as well. I don't have another program to view JPEGs, so I didn't think I needed to have another to view PDFs.

...
JPEGs have nothing to do with PDFs. Who said that your experience with PDFs should have anything to do with your experience with JPEGs?

Back to your original point, I am trying to get through to you that you cannot count on anything with respect to PDFs. I gave you knowledge. Knowledge is power. Simple prudence dictates that you should have Acrobat Reader available because you have no guarantee that Preview can handle all PDFs.
 
JPEGs have nothing to do with PDFs. Who said that your experience with PDFs should have anything to do with your experience with JPEGs?

What an unbelievably rude and obnoxious response.

Who do you think you are?

A simple question was asked, and you chose to respond in a condecending and rude manner. All that was needed was a factual response the Preview does not view PDF layers.

Leave the pontificating out.
 
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I'd say that if you're starting to use some more advanced PDF options, the preview app may not be the most rounded tool to use with them. I'd stick with adobe's acrobat at that point.

Just my $.02
 
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