Thought I would summarize the many responses I received both on and off the list. I might note, there seems to be a common frustration with ArcGIS's export to PDF, and the file sizes (hint to any ESRI viewers out there).
I received the following suggestions:
1.)Bring *.pdf into Acrobat and then select 'Document' and 'Reduce file size', this allows batch processing.
2.) ArcGIS export to *.eps, then open the *.eps in Adobe Acrobat and save as *.pdf
3.) Bring *.pdf into Acrobat and save out as *.pdf with reduced file size
4.) Bring *.pdf into Acrobat and print to *.pdf with reduced file size
5.) Trying more lossy compressions with the ArcGIS export.
6.) 300DPI rather than 350DPI at ArcGIS export
7.) Don't include georeference and layer information when exporting to *.pdf
8.) Within Mac OS there is the 'Automator' Script with "Quartz filter" to *.pdf
9.) Adaptive instead of LZW compression
10.) Don't use transparencies
I admit, the first option worked as much as I required. I was able to reduce from approx.. 5GB of maps to ~500MB in a matter of minutes, with little visible loss of quality. I may re-export from ArcGIS with higher quality and then run them through the Acrobat "Reduce File Size to regain quality that had already been compromised. Attached is a quick *.jpg of the initial uncompressed through Acrobat and the compressed for those who may care. This is a small snapshot of my map zoomed in to 200%.
Many people mentioned using Acrobat to combine *.eps or *.pdf first to reduce the need to batch. Also worth a note, when I say "Acrobat" I mean the full licensed version not Acrobat reader.
Thanks for all the suggestions! Have a great weekend!
-Rob
-----Original Message-----
From: Northeast Arc Users Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Robert Pruyne
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2015 9:33 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Map to PDF compression
Hi Everyone, Happy Friday,
I have just finished up a large project that has around 200 maps. Most maps are E-Sized, and they are 'complex'. I say complex in that they have many datasets, both raster and vector, fills, transparencies, complex polygons, millions (billions?) of nodes. These maps are beastly (but beautiful?).
Part of our deliverable is PDFs and the distribution of the PDFs digitally. Right now this set comes in about 5GB in size. These PDFs were exports from ArcGIS Export command (using 350dpi, 1:3 resampling, RGB Colorspace, Compressed Vector Graphics, LZW Image compression). The maps range from about 35MB to 100MB. If I take these PDFs into Fully licensed Adobe Acrobat and just resave them, it seems I can gain another 30-40% reduction in file size, but doing this individually is less than appealing, I may be able to batch them through this.
My question to the group is, are there any hints or tips on reducing file size when exporting to PDF from ArcGIS without losing TOO much quality in final output? Or have I maxed out my compression v. quality already? Am I doing something wrong, or right?
Thanks in advance!
-Rob
---------------------------
Robert C Pruyne Jr, GISP
GIS Specialist
Rockingham Planning Commission
156 Water St, Exeter, NH 03833
p 603.778.0885
f 603.778.9183
------------------------------------------------------------------------- This list (NEARC-L) is an unmoderated discussion list for all NEARC Users.
If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from this list, you can remove yourself by going to http://s.uconn.edu/nearcsubscribe.
------------------------------------------------------------------------- This list (NEARC-L) is an unmoderated discussion list for all NEARC Users.
If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from this list, you can remove yourself by going to http://s.uconn.edu/nearcsubscribe.
|