PDF Import into FrameMaker documents ...

["Dov Isaacs" <isaacs@xxxxxxxxx>]

Some very recent on-list and off-list emails have brought up the issue 
of importing PDF into FrameMaker.

Under FrameMaker 5.5.x, the no-brainer response is to NOT import PDF. 
Import the equivalent EPS instead by cropping and exporting EPS from 
Acrobat and importing the resultant EPS into FrameMaker. The reason for
this response is that the imported PDF is always converted into PostScript
Level 1 EPS internally resulting in color problems, smooth-shaded gradient
problems, etc. You also get tremendous bloat on the PostScript side.

FrameMaker 6 does provide an Acrobat 4-compatible PDF import. If you chose
to use it though, you should be aware that out-of-the-box, "as-is", FrameMaker
will still import the PDF internally as PostScript Level 1 EPS. However, there
is a method of creating PostScript Level 2 or PostScript 3 EPS instead. The
following is taken from the FrameMaker 6 "ReadMe" file (which none of us read,
of course (8^)> ).

        By default, FrameMaker prints imported PDF (Placed PDF) files by 
        converting them to Level 1 EPS files. Since Level 1 PostScript has 
        limited color support, some color information may not be sent to the 
        printer. This also occurred with FrameMaker 5.5.x.

        A late feature added to FrameMaker 6 provides control over the EPS 
        version generated when printing. You can set the version per machine 
        as follows:


        Windows- add this line to maker.ini or fmsgml.ini:

           EPSLevelForPlacedPDF=n

        ...where n is a number between 1 and 3, indicating the EPS output version


        Mac- use ResEdit to edit the FrameMaker/FrameMaker+SGML application:

           set the ACUP 2 resource, named EPSLevelForPlacedPDF, to a binary
           value between 1 and 3, indicating the EPS output version

        Note that you should make a copy of the FrameMaker application before 
        editing it with ResEdit.

Hopefully this is of assistance to those of you who insist on importing PDF
as PDF. My recommendation to continue using imported Acrobat-exported EPS in lieu
of direct PDF import still stands.

	- Dov


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