topic Re: make pdf where you can't pick/select edit as if the PDF was made from a JPG. in AutoCAD Forum

make pdf where you can't pick/select edit as if the PDF was made from a JPG.

luisf_torres — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 18:59:15 GMT

I got a question 4 U.

Don't give me wrong, I do like this whole new "searchable PDF's" stuff but...

I remember back in late 90's where we can use the dwg to pdf pc3 to make PDF's and people wouldn't be able to select anything on it.

No lines, text or images etc...

how can I make a pdf from cad that is truly un-editable just like if the pdf was done through a scan. thus making it completely un-searchable???

Re: make pdf where you can't pick/select edit as if the PDF was made from a JPG.

pendean — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 20:35:46 GMT

This way if you are not able to use a free third party PDF driver that does the same https://www.cadlinecommunity.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/207585349-AutoCAD-2017-Protect-your-data-by-creating-a-Raster-PDF

Re: make pdf where you can't pick/select edit as if the PDF was made from a JPG.

luisf_torres — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 15:47:22 GMT

Thanks for the feedback on this, you're awesome!

A follow up question... That's great for the objects inside the viewport; However, my jpg's "which have PE seals" which are on paperspace can still be moved... whatever happened to this "flatten" option that doesn't allow you to do such things??? Anywho, does this mean that I would have "changespace"and move my titleblocks from PaperSpace to model Space so the entire drawing will be raste PDF???

Re: make pdf where you can't pick/select edit as if the PDF was made from a JPG.

pendean — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 20:01:39 GMT

Correct: experiment and discover what works best for you and your files.

Re: make pdf where you can't pick/select edit as if the PDF was made from a JPG.

luisf_torres — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 20:25:26 GMT

Dean,

I gotta say... the last answer was def. useful, "experiment and discover what works best for you and your files." you went Socrates on this and I love it...

I can tell that you're pretty wise, Not kidding : )

Once again, thank you for the help.

btw, I did figure it out "put the PE Seal on its own vport and hide it. : )

Again,

Thanks

Re: make pdf where you can't pick/select edit as if the PDF was made from a JPG.

luisf_torres — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 21:16:54 GMT

I'm taking crazy pills on this AGAIN!!!

Everything was going well on the "raster pdf's" but today I came across an issue that put me right back to square one.

even when I do the hidden v-port a suggested.

When I open the pdf into the regular adobe acrobat standard DC...

go to Edit tool bar -> Edit text & Images options.

the cursor inside of PDF turns from a small hand to a cursor. Thus, giving to any user the ability to move text as well as v-port for editing.

😞

Re: make pdf where you can't pick/select edit as if the PDF was made from a JPG.

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 22:26:05 GMT

This problem was just brought to my attention today. I tested pdf's made from Autocad, Revit and Microstation and I had the ability to edit them all. This is not a good thing!!

Re: make pdf where you can't pick/select edit as if the PDF was made from a JPG.

john.vellek — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 22:34:44 GMT

HI @Anonymous,

Yes, PDFs are not as secure as many people think. A good quality PDF, whether vector or raster, can be imported, edited , attached or converted rather easily. If you are truly worried about intellectual property I suggest using a watermark on your PDFs. This wil make it harder to pirate but is not totally secure either.

Re: make pdf where you can't pick/select edit as if the PDF was made from a JPG.

john.vellek — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 19:15:28 GMT

HI @luisf_torres,

I am checking back to see if my post or others helped you with your problem. Please add a post with how you decide to proceed and your results so other Community members may benefit.

If you are up to a two-step process, create your PDF and then open it in your favorite PDF editor and print it to a new PDF as a raster version (some call this print to image).

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if a post or posts solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: make pdf where you can't pick/select edit as if the PDF was made from a JPG.

pendean — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 19:23:24 GMT

Nothing, absolutely nothing electronic (file) is secure. Even printed paper is not safe. Haven't' been for decades.

So a question: how has your company suffered over the last two decades from this problem? Might be a good question to ask the bosses and your legal counsel too, like I said, it's been this way for decades.

Re: make pdf where you can't pick/select edit as if the PDF was made from a JPG.

luisf_torres — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 19:30:31 GMT

The problems here is that anyone person with a PDF pro can make edits "unless you password protect the pdf"

so, if the person have "pdf reader" they CANNOT edit [that's if you decided NOT to password protect the file.]

Consequently, I ended up setting up a password on the pdf's and lock-in the sheets from edit.

Thus far that's the "the fastest way to work around this issue"

If anyone else have a better solution, let me know.