About reducing PDF conversion problems

Some PDF files may be difficult to import into Designer. Conversion problems can depend both on the application used to produce the PDF file and on choices made when the source document was authored. For example, these original sources of PDF files have proven difficult to import into Designer:

  • Digipath files, which are converted to one large image that cannot be edited

  • Microsoft Word, when the document has not been specifically designed as a form

You can reduce possible conversion problems by being aware of these issues:

  • Fonts are substituted if a font used on the form is not installed when you import the form. If a font is substituted, text will not appear exactly as in the original form.

  • If you are using Acrobat to create PDF files, do not build the form by using drawing annotations only.

  • When an image in a PDF form contains a large number of lines, such as a vector-based image, Designer needs a significant amount of time to process the lines during an import operation. For faster processing, remove the image from the source file that is used to create the PDF. If required, you can reinsert the image after you save the form design in Designer. If the source file is not available, deleting the image from the form in Designer will improve performance of the form.

  • If you are having conversion problems and you have access to the source files for the original form, try re-creating the PDF by using Distiller. If the original PDF was not created correctly, re-creating it may resolve the issue.

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