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Hi all, Thanks to all who replied to my question. I thought I'd summarise the responses and add my the results of my own research. Original question: > We wish to generate layered pdf files of maps (very complex maps). At the > base layer we would like to have a bitmapped satellite image. The source > files are layered Adobe Illustrator files running on a Mac OS. > > It would appear that (strangely) Adobe applications are not supported in > this area. The only two applications that can generate layered files using > Adobe Acrobat are Visio and AutoCAD. > > We don't have AutoCAD, hence this is not an attractive option. > > Does anyone know of a third party plug in, application or work around that > could help? > > Responses: I contacted a high level Adobe rep and found this one out for myself and a couple of respondees also pointed out the same thing. I assumed Acrobat's inability to use layers from other Adobe apps was Acrobat's problem but if you think it through, code tweaks are necessary in the generating application such as Illustrator. When those tweaks are made in the next versions of the Adobe apps in question they will undoubtedly be supported. Illustrator 10 has been out for quite a while now so I am hoping that Illustrator 11 is not far away. This would solve my problem and if it happens some time this year that will suit my deadline. Beyond that I am in trouble. Erik Rank suggested SVG format as an alternative to pdf which was interesting. I will look at this further in future but for my particular market this time round another plug in and large file sizes is not really a goer if the alternative is a straight export to layers out of Illustrator. Thanks Erik! I had developer interest in the problem with an offer to test the files on prototype software. I will follow up on this if I can get a sample Illustrator file out of our very security conscious cartographers. One very good option at this point would appear to be a plug in from Lantana: http://www.lantanarips.com/stratify_info.html. as suggested by Michael Jahn. It is a strong contender in that it can merge multiple pdfs into one layered file if I read the marketing gumpf correctly. I could therefore have each layer turned on by itself in Illustrator, pdf generated and then merge all the resulting pdfs back together. Slow but should work. One I found for myself was eDoc Printer PDF Pro from Iteksoft. It has an interesting feature called 'merge by overlay'. It would appear you can keep distilling files to pdf ontop of an existing file, each layer going over the top of the previous. Limitation for me is that is not available for the Mac so it would be a hassle to utilise. And again it would be much slower than if it could be done directly from Illustrator. http://www.iteksoft.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req= viewarticle&artid=1&page=1 That's about it. I'm going into wait mode with my eye on Lantana's 'Stratify' if Adobe don't deliver the good in time. Thanks again to all who responded. It was most helpful. cheers Mark To change your subscription: http://www.pdfzone.com/discussions/lists-pdf.html
