https://mapsoft.com/posts.html PDF automation, Adobe development, and document workflow guides from the Mapsoft team. en-gb info@mapsoft.com (Mapsoft) info@mapsoft.com (Mapsoft) Copyright 2026 Mapsoft Computer Services Limited Mon, 29 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://mapsoft.com/images/mapsoft-og.png https://mapsoft.com/posts.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdfhub-local-desktop.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdfhub-local-desktop.html Mon, 29 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters PdfHub Local brings the full Mapsoft PDF Hub toolset to your Windows desktop — offline, private, and batch-ready. Free 14-day trial, included with any paid plan. Product PdfHub Local: The Desktop Edition of Mapsoft PDF Hub https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-iso-standards.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-iso-standards.html Sat, 30 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters A complete reference to the PDF ISO standards: PDF/A, PDF/X, PDF/UA, PDF/E, PDF/VT and the ISO 32000-2 extensions, with a detailed comparison table. PDF Technology PDF ISO Standards Explained: The Complete Family https://mapsoft.com/posts/file-naming-best-practices.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/file-naming-best-practices.html Tue, 26 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters File naming conventions and best practices for 2026 — clear, sortable, machine-readable names that survive years of project, version, and team turnover. With concrete templates. PDF Workflows File Naming Conventions: Best Practices for 2026 https://mapsoft.com/posts/mfc-cpp-consultancy.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/mfc-cpp-consultancy.html Mon, 25 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Demand for MFC and C++ consultants in 2026 — where the work concentrates (industrial engineering, finance, medical, document tooling), the engagement shapes (legacy maintenance, 32-to-64-bit migration, UI modernisation, modern C++ integration, production diagnostics), the core skill profile (Win32, COM, MFC, C++17/20, WinDbg), and why Mapsoft still ships MFC code in production Acrobat plugins today. Custom Development MFC and C++ Consultancy: Is There Still Demand for Legacy Windows Specialists? https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-pdf-services-api.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-pdf-services-api.html Fri, 08 May 2026 21:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Adobe's managed cloud service for PDF operations via REST. The full catalogue of operations (generation, extraction, OCR and accessibility, transformations, page operations, export), the two adjacent APIs (PDF Embed, Acrobat Sign), the integration architecture, common production deployments (HR onboarding, legal contracts, invoice OCR, accessibility remediation, archive conversion, customer reports), pricing reality, limitations, and where Mapsoft tooling fits as the on-premises and desktop alternative. Adobe Development Adobe PDF Services API: What It Does, When to Use It https://mapsoft.com/posts/photoshop-api.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/photoshop-api.html Fri, 08 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Adobe's Photoshop API is a managed cloud service for headless image processing — REST endpoints for PSD rendering, Smart Object replacement, Action playback, and renditions. Use cases (e-commerce pipelines, DAM ingestion, on-demand marketing material), the architecture (cloud storage in/out, async job model, OAuth authentication), and the pricing reality compared with self-hosting Photoshop instances. Adobe Development Photoshop API for Cloud-Scale Image Processing https://mapsoft.com/posts/photoshop-hybrid-plugins.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/photoshop-hybrid-plugins.html Fri, 08 May 2026 18:45:00 +0000 Michael Peters Photoshop's newest extension architecture combines a UXP front-end with a native C++ back-end — modern UI plus native performance, in one extension. The architecture, when it's the right choice (performance-critical work, native library integration, GPU operations, CEP migrations with Node.js dependencies), the build pipeline (CMake, cross-platform CI, code signing), distribution as a .ccx package, and how Hybrid Plugins succeed where CEP+ExtendScript fell short. Adobe Development Photoshop Hybrid Plugins: UXP + Native C++ https://mapsoft.com/posts/photoshop-actions-droplets.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/photoshop-actions-droplets.html Fri, 08 May 2026 18:30:00 +0000 Michael Peters Photoshop's unique GUI-recordable automation system. How Actions record, what they capture and what they don't, conditional steps, modal/non-modal toggling, the Batch command, Droplets as drag-and-drop executables, sharing Actions with a team via .atn files or UXP plugins, and the cases where Actions win against Scripts (and vice versa). Adobe Development Photoshop Actions and Droplets: GUI-Recordable Automation https://mapsoft.com/posts/photoshop-cep-extensions.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/photoshop-cep-extensions.html Fri, 08 May 2026 18:15:00 +0000 Michael Peters CEP for Photoshop in 2026 is the legacy framework with a narrow remaining role. When CEP is still right (legacy panels in production, Node.js dependencies, deep CEP-only APIs), anatomy of a CEP extension for Photoshop, debugging via Chrome DevTools and the VSCode ExtendScript debugger, ZXP packaging and signing, distribution channels, and the migration path to UXP or Hybrid Plugins architected for cheap porting. Adobe Development Photoshop CEP Extensions: When CEP Is Still the Right Answer https://mapsoft.com/posts/photoshop-batch-processing.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/photoshop-batch-processing.html Fri, 08 May 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Production-grade batch processing in Adobe Photoshop. The five batch primitives (Image Processor, Batch command, ExtendScript folder loops, UXP plugins, Photoshop API), naming conventions that survive a re-run, multi-format export from a single source, error handling that doesn't halt the batch, common batch patterns (e-commerce, format conversion, retouching at scale, watermarking, Smart Object replacement), and the escalation path to the Photoshop API for cloud scale. Adobe Development Photoshop Batch Processing: Image Processor, Droplets & Scripts at Scale https://mapsoft.com/posts/photoshop-extension-technologies.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/photoshop-extension-technologies.html Fri, 08 May 2026 16:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters The five ways to extend Adobe Photoshop in 2026 — ExtendScript for automation, UXP for new panels (most mature in the suite, public since 2021), CEP for legacy migrations, Hybrid Plugins for UXP+C++ performance, and the C++ SDK for filters and native code. Includes the five-way comparison table, the Choosing Your Stack decision flow, and the combined-technology patterns most production Photoshop extensions use. Adobe Development Photoshop Extension Technologies: ExtendScript, CEP, UXP, Hybrid & C++ SDK https://mapsoft.com/posts/indesign-server.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/indesign-server.html Fri, 08 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters InDesign Server is the headless InDesign engine for high-volume publishing pipelines. When you need it (volume, unattended operation, system integration), the architecture patterns (SOAP/REST front-ends, hot-folder, queue-driven, resource pooling), common production deployments (catalogue publishing, transactional documents, news production, on-demand documents), licensing reality, and pairing with InDesign Data Merge or Mapsoft Engage for variable data at scale. Adobe Development InDesign Server for Automated Publishing Workflows https://mapsoft.com/posts/indesign-data-merge.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/indesign-data-merge.html Fri, 08 May 2026 12:45:00 +0000 Michael Peters InDesign Data Merge fundamentals: text and image variables, multiple records per page, CSV/TXT data sources, Unicode handling, missing-data rules, template authoring, scripting the DataMerge object, and the production handoff to InDesign Server or Mapsoft Engage for runs at scale. Includes a worked certificate-generation example and the print-vs-digital VDP output split. Adobe Development InDesign Data Merge for Variable Data Printing https://mapsoft.com/posts/indesign-cep-extensions.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/indesign-cep-extensions.html Fri, 08 May 2026 12:30:00 +0000 Michael Peters CEP for InDesign in 2026 is the legacy framework that still has a role. When CEP is still right (legacy panels in production, Node.js dependencies, deep CEP-only APIs), what CEP is briefly, the anatomy of a CEP extension for InDesign, debugging via Chrome DevTools and the VSCode ExtendScript debugger, ZXP packaging and signing, distribution channels, and the migration path to UXP architected for cheap porting. Adobe Development InDesign CEP Extensions: When CEP Is Still the Right Answer https://mapsoft.com/posts/indesign-batch-processing.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/indesign-batch-processing.html Fri, 08 May 2026 12:15:00 +0000 Michael Peters Production-grade batch processing in Adobe InDesign. The three batch options (ExtendScript folder loops, UXP plugin with batch UI, InDesign Server), naming conventions that survive a re-run, multi-format export from a single source to PDF/X / PDF/A / EPUB / IDML, error handling that does not halt the batch, manifest-driven workflows, and the escalation path to InDesign Server. Adobe Development InDesign Batch Processing: Folder Loops, Naming, and Multi-Format Export https://mapsoft.com/posts/indesign-automation.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/indesign-automation.html Fri, 08 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters The practical framework for deciding what to automate in Adobe InDesign and which lever to reach for. The threshold of "do it once" vs "script it", the four levers (ExtendScript, UXP, C++ SDK, InDesign Server), common automation patterns (paragraph-style normalisation, find/change at scale, master-page propagation, multi-format export, packaging, variable data), cross-app workflows via BridgeTalk, and the graduation thresholds that move work from a script to a plugin to a server pipeline. Adobe Development InDesign Automation: When Scripting Beats Clicking https://mapsoft.com/posts/indesign-extension-technologies.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/indesign-extension-technologies.html Fri, 08 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters The four ways to extend Adobe InDesign in 2026 — ExtendScript for automation, UXP for new panel work (publicly available since v18.5), CEP for legacy migrations and Node.js dependencies, the C++ SDK for performance-critical and InDesign Server work. Includes the four-way comparison table, the Choosing Your Stack decision flow, and the combined-technology patterns most production InDesign extensions use. Adobe Development Combining InDesign Extension Technologies https://mapsoft.com/posts/uxp-indesign-workflow.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/uxp-indesign-workflow.html Fri, 08 May 2026 09:45:00 +0000 Michael Peters UXP is publicly available for InDesign since v18.5 and is the recommended path for new panel development in 2026. Substantial expansion of the original UXP code-examples post: what UXP is, why InDesign was an early UXP target, when CEP is still the right choice, a worked example with manifest and Spectrum components, and how to track UXP version availability. Adobe Development UXP for InDesign: The Modern Extensibility Platform https://mapsoft.com/posts/illustrator-map-production.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/illustrator-map-production.html Thu, 07 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Illustrator is one of the most-used tools in commercial cartography. The GIS-to-Illustrator handoff via SVG, MAPublisher, and Avenza Geographic Imager; layer architecture for legibility; symbol libraries and consistent styling; label placement; scripted map series via ExtendScript; and the export differences between print (PDF/X-4 with bleed and output intent) and web (SVG, PNG, optimised PDF). Adobe Development Illustrator Map Production Workflows: Cartography, GIS Handoff & Print Export https://mapsoft.com/posts/illustrator-variable-data.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/illustrator-variable-data.html Thu, 07 May 2026 18:45:00 +0000 Michael Peters Variable data printing in Illustrator. The native Variables panel and Data Sets for design-time work, ExtendScript folder loops for small runs of a few hundred records, and the production handoff to Mapsoft Engage for runs of thousands. Template authoring rules, edge-case data planning, and the print-vs-digital export split. Adobe Development Illustrator Variable Data Workflows: From Variables Panel to Engage https://mapsoft.com/posts/illustrator-cep-extensions.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/illustrator-cep-extensions.html Thu, 07 May 2026 18:30:00 +0000 Michael Peters CEP is still the most credible Illustrator panel framework in 2026. What CEP is and why UXP is not yet a substitute for Illustrator panel work, the anatomy of a CEP extension (manifest, HTML, ExtendScript bridge), how the panel talks to Illustrator via CSInterface, debugging via Chrome DevTools and the VSCode ExtendScript debugger, ZXP packaging and signing, distribution channels, and architectural practices that make the eventual UXP migration cheap. Adobe Development Illustrator CEP Extensions: HTML Panels for Production Workflows https://mapsoft.com/posts/illustrator-batch-processing.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/illustrator-batch-processing.html Thu, 07 May 2026 18:15:00 +0000 Michael Peters Production-grade batch processing in Adobe Illustrator. The three batch options (Actions panel, ExtendScript folder loops, custom panels), naming conventions that survive a re-run, multi-format export from a single source, error handling that doesn't halt the batch, manifest-driven workflows, and how to run batches unattended overnight. Adobe Development Illustrator Batch Processing: Folder Loops, Naming, and Multi-Format Export https://mapsoft.com/posts/illustrator-automation.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/illustrator-automation.html Thu, 07 May 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters The practical framework for deciding what to automate in Illustrator and which lever to reach for. The threshold of "do it once" vs "script it", the four levers (Actions, ExtendScript, CEP panels, C++ SDK), common automation patterns (export pipelines, layer normalisation, swatch sync, variable data, map series), cross-app automation via BridgeTalk, and when to graduate from a script to a plugin. Adobe Development Illustrator Automation: When Scripting Beats Clicking https://mapsoft.com/posts/illustrator-uxp-status.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/illustrator-uxp-status.html Thu, 07 May 2026 17:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters UXP is Adobe's strategic direction for Creative Cloud plugin development, but for Illustrator it remains internal to Adobe as of 2026 — no public API, no documentation, no announced timeline for third-party developers. What UXP is, why Illustrator is the slow application in the rollout, what the prerelease programme covers (and what its NDA prevents), what to build with today (ExtendScript, CEP, the C++ SDK), how to architect new CEP work for an eventual UXP migration, and the three signals to watch for when public availability changes. Adobe Development UXP for Illustrator: Current Status and What to Use Today https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-print-vs-web.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-print-vs-web.html Thu, 07 May 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters A press-ready PDF and a website-ready PDF are produced from the same source, but the export presets that govern them disagree on almost every parameter. Covers the PostScript-to-PDF transition for print prepress, why Acrobat is bundled into Creative Cloud, what PDF/X-1a / X-3 / X-4 / X-6 actually guarantee, a parameter-by-parameter print vs web comparison table (colour, dpi, fonts, transparency, file size, linearisation, security, hyperlinks), how InDesign / Illustrator / Photoshop export each kind of PDF via the Adobe PDF Library, and why a print-grade PDF breaks on the web (file size, CMYK rendering, no Fast Web View, missing interactivity). PDF Technology Print PDF vs Web PDF: Why One File Format Has Two Lives https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-semrush-acquisition.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-semrush-acquisition.html Thu, 07 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Adobe completed its $1.9bn acquisition of Semrush on 28 April 2026. After years using Semrush for SEO and AI video, what we think the deal means for the product's direction — Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), Agentic Search Optimization (ASO), Experience Cloud integration with Adobe Experience Manager, Analytics, and Brand Concierge, and what could change for SMB customers on pricing and product attention. News Adobe's Semrush Acquisition: What It Means for the SEO Toolkit We Use Every Day https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-pdf-spaces.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-pdf-spaces.html Wed, 06 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Adobe PDF Spaces bundles up to 100 documents into a single, branded, shareable workspace with a configurable AI Assistant, an audio overview, and engagement analytics. Who can create one, what it costs, how Share-for-Review and Share-for-View differ, the three pre-built AI personas (Analyst, Instructor, Entertainer), and how PDF Spaces compares to Google NotebookLM, Microsoft Copilot Pages, and Notion AI. News Adobe PDF Spaces: Shared, AI-Powered PDF Bundles Explained https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-standards-guide.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-standards-guide.html Sat, 02 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters A comparative guide to the ISO PDF standards family — PDF/A (archival), PDF/UA (accessibility), PDF/X (print), PDF/E (engineering), PDF/VT (variable transactional printing), and PDF/VCR (variable colour rendering) — plus three practical methods for verifying which standards a PDF claims conformance to: Acrobat Preflight, online validators, and the free Mapsoft Check PDF Standards plug-in for batch detection. PDF Technology PDF Standards Explained: PDF/A, PDF/UA, PDF/X, PDF/E, PDF/VT, and Compliance Checking https://mapsoft.com/posts/place-images-on-pdf.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/place-images-on-pdf.html Sat, 02 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Adding a logo, signature, stamp, or photograph to an existing PDF is a different job from converting an image to PDF or stamping a watermark. Use cases, supported image formats, transparency, positioning and anchoring, Z-order, image quality, accessibility, and how to place images in Adobe Acrobat, online, with JavaScript, or in batch with the Mapsoft ImagePlacer plug-in. How-To How to Place Images on PDF Pages https://mapsoft.com/posts/ai-training-opt-out-publishers.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/ai-training-opt-out-publishers.html Sat, 02 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Beyond a single tdm:reservation flag — a tiered policy strategy for publishers, ODRL licensing patterns, where to set the flags across CMS and PDF pipelines, audit and enforcement, and a six-week rollout plan for taking TDMRep from prototype to production. Strategy AI Training Opt-Outs: A Practical Strategy for Publishers https://mapsoft.com/posts/tdmrep-pdf-mining-rights.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/tdmrep-pdf-mining-rights.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters How content owners can declare text and data mining rights in PDF files using the W3C TDMRep protocol — covering the EU DSM Directive and AI Act framework, XMP metadata implementation, generating an ODRL policy file, PDF/A compliance, and the free Mapsoft TDMRep plug-in for batch processing. How-To TDM Rights in PDF Documents and the TDMRep Protocol https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-document-properties.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-document-properties.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Most PDFs ship with broken metadata — "Document1" as the title, no author, no keywords. What each PDF document property does, why it matters for search and archival, and how to fix it across thousands of files at once with named InfoSetter configurations and CSV-driven batch processing. How-To PDF Document Properties: Why Metadata Matters and How to Set It at Scale https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-open-options.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-open-options.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Most PDFs open at page 1, fitted to width, with no bookmarks panel — but they don't have to. What every PDF open option does, when the default is the wrong call, and how named configurations turn ten checkboxes into a single drop-down pick. How-To PDF Open Options: Why How a PDF Opens Matters https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-stock-ai-studio.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-stock-ai-studio.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Adobe Stock AI Studio adds AI-powered image and video editing directly into the Adobe Stock catalogue — refine assets before you license them. What it is, how it works, and where it fits. News Adobe Stock AI Studio: AI Editing Tools Built into Adobe Stock https://mapsoft.com/posts/word-to-pdf.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/word-to-pdf.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Convert Microsoft Word documents (.doc, .docx) to PDF in Word itself, on macOS, online, or at the command line — preserving fonts, layout, and formatting. PDF How to Convert Word to PDF https://mapsoft.com/posts/powerpoint-to-pdf.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/powerpoint-to-pdf.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Export PowerPoint (.pptx) slides to PDF for distribution, handouts, printing, or archival. Covers layout options, notes pages, multiple slides per page, and compression. PDF How to Convert PowerPoint to PDF https://mapsoft.com/posts/remove-blank-pages.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/remove-blank-pages.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Blank pages creep into PDFs from scanning, duplex printing, and section breaks. Here is how to find and remove them — manually in Acrobat, automatically online, or at scale with scripts and plugins. PDF How to Remove Blank Pages from a PDF https://mapsoft.com/posts/jpeg-to-pdf.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/jpeg-to-pdf.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Combine JPEG photos, scans, or screenshots into a single PDF — in Acrobat, on Windows or macOS without extra software, or online for free. PDF How to Convert JPEG Images to PDF https://mapsoft.com/posts/remove-pdf-pages.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/remove-pdf-pages.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Delete specific pages from a PDF — in Adobe Acrobat, online for free, or at the command line — with best practices for preserving bookmarks, links, and file size. PDF How to Remove Pages from a PDF https://mapsoft.com/posts/add-headers-footers-pdf.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/add-headers-footers-pdf.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Apply page numbers, dates, document titles, and confidentiality markers to a PDF's top and bottom margins — in Acrobat, online for free, or via batch scripts. PDF How to Add Headers and Footers to a PDF https://mapsoft.com/posts/flatten-pdf-transparencies.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/flatten-pdf-transparencies.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Flattening PDF transparency converts translucent overlays into opaque content — essential for older printers, PDF/X-1a output, and compatibility with legacy workflows. PDF How to Flatten PDF Transparencies https://mapsoft.com/posts/unlock-pdf.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/unlock-pdf.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Remove PDF password protection — when you have the owner password, via Adobe Acrobat, online tools, or the command line. Covers the legal and technical limits of unlocking. PDF How to Unlock a Password-Protected PDF https://mapsoft.com/posts/convert-pdf-to-images.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/convert-pdf-to-images.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Extract PDF pages as PNG, JPEG, or TIFF images for web use, slide decks, thumbnails, or archival — in Acrobat, online, or via the command line. PDF How to Convert a PDF to Images https://mapsoft.com/posts/convert-pdf-colors.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/convert-pdf-colors.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Converting PDF colour spaces matters for print (CMYK), screen (RGB), and accessibility (grayscale). Here is how it works, which tools handle it well, and how to avoid colour shifts. PDF How to Convert PDF Colours (RGB, CMYK, Grayscale) https://mapsoft.com/posts/convert-pdf-to-pdfa.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/convert-pdf-to-pdfa.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters PDF/A is the archival PDF standard. Converting an existing PDF requires embedding fonts, setting colour profiles, removing external dependencies, and adding XMP metadata. Here is how to do it and what to watch for. PDF How to Convert a PDF to PDF/A for Archiving https://mapsoft.com/posts/repair-pdf.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/repair-pdf.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters A practical guide to repairing corrupted or damaged PDF files — what causes corruption, how Acrobat's recovery works, and how to fix a PDF online without installing software. PDF How to Repair a Corrupted PDF File https://mapsoft.com/posts/extract-embedded-files.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/extract-embedded-files.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Embedded files (attachments) in PDFs can include spreadsheets, images, source data, TDMRep policies, and more. Here is how to list and extract them — in Acrobat, online, or from the command line. PDF How to Extract Embedded Files from a PDF https://mapsoft.com/posts/resize-pdf-page.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/resize-pdf-page.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters A practical guide to changing PDF page dimensions — with Acrobat, free online tools, or Mapsoft's MediaSizer and ContentScaler plugins. Covers paper sizes, cropping vs scaling, and batch processing. PDF How to Resize PDF Pages https://mapsoft.com/posts/analyze-pdf.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/analyze-pdf.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters What's inside a PDF? This guide covers what PDF analysis reveals (pages, fonts, objects, forms, security, version), why you'd inspect a file, and how to do it in Acrobat, online, or from the command line. PDF How to Analyze a PDF: Structure, Fonts, and Properties https://mapsoft.com/posts/hallmark-case-study.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/hallmark-case-study.html Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters How Mapsoft built Card Create, a custom PDF server solution that automated Hallmark's card production process — eliminating manual data entry, reducing errors, and streamlining 8,000 designs annually. Case Study Case Study: Automating Card Production for Hallmark https://mapsoft.com/posts/network-rail-case-study.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/network-rail-case-study.html Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters How Mapsoft built WONView, a custom Adobe Acrobat solution that automated the extraction and distribution of safety-critical Weekly Operating Notices for Network Rail's train operators. Case Study Case Study: Keeping British Trains on Track with PDF https://mapsoft.com/posts/smart-case-study.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/smart-case-study.html Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters How Mapsoft built a custom Adobe Illustrator plugin for SMART Technologies that enabled annotations and hand gesture control from SMART whiteboards directly within Illustrator. Case Study Case Study: Gesture-Driven Annotations in Adobe Illustrator for SMART https://mapsoft.com/posts/ai-assisted-development.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/ai-assisted-development.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters How Mapsoft integrates AI tools like Claude Code and Codex into our development workflow while maintaining rigorous human oversight and quality standards. Company AI-Assisted Development at Mapsoft https://mapsoft.com/posts/convert-pdf-to-word.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/convert-pdf-to-word.html Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Convert PDF files to editable Word documents using Adobe Acrobat, free online tools, and programmatic methods. Preserve formatting, tables, and images. How-To How to Convert PDF to Word: 5 Methods That Preserve Formatting https://mapsoft.com/posts/history-acrobat.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/history-acrobat.html Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Complete Adobe Acrobat version history from 1.0 in 1993 to 2026. Timeline of every major release, features, editions, and the PDF platform's evolution. History Adobe Acrobat Version History: Every Release from 1993 to 2026 https://mapsoft.com/posts/germany-pdf-ua-mandate.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/germany-pdf-ua-mandate.html Fri, 28 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Germany has mandated PDF/UA (ISO 14289) for government digital documents. What this means for PDF accessibility, compliance requirements, and how to verify your PDFs meet the standard. Accessibility Germany Standardises on PDF/UA for Government Documents https://mapsoft.com/posts/edit-pdf-metadata.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/edit-pdf-metadata.html Mon, 24 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Edit PDF metadata in Adobe Acrobat: change title, author, subject, keywords, and custom properties. Viewing, editing, and batch-processing PDF info. PDF How to Edit PDF Metadata and Document Properties https://mapsoft.com/posts/how-to-reduce-pdf-file-size.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/how-to-reduce-pdf-file-size.html Mon, 24 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Reduce PDF file size in Adobe Acrobat using Save As Reduced Size, PDF Optimizer, and compression settings. Step-by-step guide to making PDFs smaller. How-To How to Reduce PDF File Size Without Losing Quality https://mapsoft.com/posts/linearized-pdf.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/linearized-pdf.html Mon, 24 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Linearized PDF explained: how Fast Web View optimises PDFs for instant first-page display. Creating and checking linearized PDFs in Adobe Acrobat. PDF Linearized PDF: What It Is and How to Create One https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-table-of-contents.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-table-of-contents.html Mon, 24 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Create a professional table of contents in PDF using bookmarks, TOCBuilder, or manual methods. Guide to generating, formatting, and updating PDF TOCs. How-To How to Create a Table of Contents in PDF Documents https://mapsoft.com/posts/photoshop-automation.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/photoshop-automation.html Mon, 24 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Automate Photoshop with Actions, JavaScript scripts, and plugins. Step-by-step guide to recording Actions, batch processing, and extending Photoshop with UXP. Adobe Photoshop Automation: Actions, Scripts & Plugins https://mapsoft.com/posts/64-bit-plugin-update.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/64-bit-plugin-update.html Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Mapsoft has updated its full product range with 64-bit support for Adobe Acrobat DC, while continuing to support 32-bit Acrobat installations. News Mapsoft Plugins Now Available for 64-bit Acrobat https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-for-architects.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-for-architects.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters How architects, engineers, and construction teams use Acrobat for reviewing drawings, markups, measurements, and document management on projects. Adobe Adobe Acrobat for Architects and Engineers https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-javascript.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-javascript.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Learn the basics of Acrobat JavaScript for automating PDF workflows, manipulating documents, and building custom solutions in Adobe Acrobat. Development Introduction to Acrobat JavaScript https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-ocr.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-ocr.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Guide to OCR in Adobe Acrobat: recognise text in scanned PDFs, choose the right output mode, batch process documents, and correct OCR errors. Adobe Acrobat OCR: Scanned PDFs to Searchable Text https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-sdk-plugin-tutorial.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-sdk-plugin-tutorial.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Learn how to develop an Adobe Acrobat plug-in that adds a custom menu item using the Acrobat SDK, C++, and Visual Studio. Step-by-step guide with code examples. How-To How to Create an Acrobat Plug-in Using the SDK https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-sign-workflow.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-sign-workflow.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters How Adobe Acrobat Sign works for collecting legally binding e-signatures: sending documents, tracking status, and integrating with business workflows. Adobe Electronic Signatures with Adobe Acrobat Sign https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-vs-free-editors.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-vs-free-editors.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Comparing Adobe Acrobat Pro with free and low-cost PDF editors — what each can do, and where the paid version justifies its cost. Adobe Free vs Paid PDF Editors: Acrobat Pro Comparison https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-acrobat-history.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-acrobat-history.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters The full history of Adobe Acrobat from John Warnock's 1991 Camelot memo to today's AI-powered version. Every major release and PDF format milestone. History The History of Adobe Acrobat https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-history.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-history.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Explore the history of Adobe Inc. and how their work at Xerox PARC changed the multimedia software industry. History How Adobe Transformed Creativity https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-inc.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-inc.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Overview of Adobe Inc: its founding, key milestones, major acquisitions, and recent developments in generative AI, Creative Cloud, and Document Cloud. Development Adobe Inc: Company Overview & Recent Developments https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-products-guide.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-products-guide.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Discover the functionality of Adobe products. Explore the benefits and availability of these tools on Windows and Mac. Adobe Adobe Products: A Comprehensive Guide https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-ui-options.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-ui-options.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Explore ways to create user interfaces for Adobe products, including extensions and plugins for Creative Cloud and Document Cloud applications. Development Options for User Interfaces in Adobe https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-xd-end-of-life.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/adobe-xd-end-of-life.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Adobe XD is in maintenance mode and no longer sold as a standalone app. See what happened, what still works, and what teams can use instead. History Adobe XD End of Life: Status, Timeline & Alternatives https://mapsoft.com/posts/barcodes-modern-society.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/barcodes-modern-society.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Explore barcode types, their applications across industries, the encoding algorithms behind them, and how they are rendered using fonts, raster, and vectors. PDF The Importance of Barcodes in Modern Society https://mapsoft.com/posts/camelot-project.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/camelot-project.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters The Camelot Project by John Warnock described the vision that became PDF and Adobe Acrobat - a universal way to communicate documents across platforms. History The Camelot Project: Precursor to PDF https://mapsoft.com/posts/cep-introduction.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/cep-introduction.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters An introduction to Adobe's Common Extensibility Platform (CEP) — how it works, how it integrates with ExtendScript, and how to structure a CEP extension. How-To Adobe CEP: Common Extensibility Platform Guide https://mapsoft.com/posts/convert-eml-to-pdf.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/convert-eml-to-pdf.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Convert EML email files to PDF using Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, or batch processing. Preserve attachments, metadata, and formatting with free methods. How-To EML to PDF Converter: 3 Ways to Convert .EML Files to PDF https://mapsoft.com/posts/convert-excel-to-pdf.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/convert-excel-to-pdf.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Convert Excel to PDF without losing formatting. Handle large spreadsheets, control page layout, and set print areas for clean PDF output. How-To Converting Excel Spreadsheets to PDF https://mapsoft.com/posts/convert-pdf-to-powerpoint.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/convert-pdf-to-powerpoint.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters How to convert PDF files to editable PowerPoint presentations using Adobe Acrobat and other tools — with guidance on what converts well and what doesn't. How-To Converting PDF to PowerPoint https://mapsoft.com/posts/creating-pdf-forms.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/creating-pdf-forms.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Create interactive PDF forms in Adobe Acrobat. A complete guide to adding text fields, checkboxes, dropdowns, and other form elements to PDFs. How-To Creating Interactive PDF Forms with Adobe Acrobat https://mapsoft.com/posts/creating-searchable-pdfs.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/creating-searchable-pdfs.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters How to make PDF documents searchable — using OCR on scanned documents, ensuring text is not rendered as images, and checking searchability in Acrobat. How-To Creating Searchable PDFs https://mapsoft.com/posts/customizing-acrobat.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/customizing-acrobat.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters How to configure and customise Adobe Acrobat — toolbars, preferences, custom stamps, keyboard shortcuts, and deploying custom settings across an organisation. How-To Customising Adobe Acrobat for Your Workflow https://mapsoft.com/posts/datalogics.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/datalogics.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Overview of Datalogics Inc, a PDF technology pioneer since 1967 and the channel for the Adobe PDF Library SDK, which Mapsoft licenses for development. Development Datalogics: PDF Technology Pioneer https://mapsoft.com/posts/digital-certificates.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/digital-certificates.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters How digital certificates work in the context of PDF signing — X.509 certificates, certificate authorities, trust chains, and obtaining a signing certificate. PDF Digital Certificates and PKI for PDF Signing https://mapsoft.com/posts/digital-signature-validation.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/digital-signature-validation.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters How PDF digital signature validation works: certificate chains, trust anchors, revocation checking (OCSP/CRL), long-term validation, and troubleshooting. How-To Validating Digital Signatures in PDF https://mapsoft.com/posts/dogears-navigating-pdf.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/dogears-navigating-pdf.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Learn how the DogEars plugin for Adobe Acrobat lets you mark pages for quick navigation and extract marked pages into a new document. Development Navigating a PDF with DogEars https://mapsoft.com/posts/extendscript-usage.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/extendscript-usage.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters How Adobe ExtendScript automates tasks in Photoshop, Illustrator, and other Creative Cloud apps. Learn its capabilities, use cases, and limitations. Development ExtendScript: Applications, Usage and Limitations https://mapsoft.com/posts/extendscript.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/extendscript.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Learn what ExtendScript is, which Adobe apps use it, how it differs from UXP and CEP, and when scripts still make sense for Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Development ExtendScript: Adobe Automation Scripting Guide https://mapsoft.com/posts/future-of-pdf.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/future-of-pdf.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Where PDF is heading: PDF 2.0, AI integration, accessibility requirements, digital workflows, and the ongoing relevance of PDF in a cloud-first world. Accessibility The Future of PDF https://mapsoft.com/posts/generative-fill-photoshop.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/generative-fill-photoshop.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters An introduction to Generative Fill in Adobe Photoshop — how it works, what you can do with it, and how it fits into a professional image editing workflow. Adobe Generative Fill in Adobe Photoshop https://mapsoft.com/posts/hexachrome-colors.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/hexachrome-colors.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters An introduction to Pantone Hexachrome, the six-colour (CMYKOV) extended-gamut printing system, its advantages over standard CMYK, and its current status. PDF Hexachrome: The Six-Colour Printing System https://mapsoft.com/posts/history-illustrator.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/history-illustrator.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters The complete Adobe Illustrator version history — from Illustrator 88 through CS, CC, and every major release to 2026. Timeline, features, and milestones. History History of Adobe Illustrator: Every Version from 1987 to 2026 https://mapsoft.com/posts/history-indesign.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/history-indesign.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Explore the history of Adobe InDesign and its evolution from a small project codenamed K2 to becoming a major player in the desktop publishing industry. History History of Adobe InDesign https://mapsoft.com/posts/history-pagemaker.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/history-pagemaker.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters History of Adobe PageMaker (originally Aldus PageMaker) — every version from 1.0 in 1985 to 7.0, the Adobe acquisition, and its replacement by InDesign. History Adobe PageMaker History: Versions, Aldus & InDesign https://mapsoft.com/posts/how-portable-is-pdf.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/how-portable-is-pdf.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters An honest look at PDF portability: what the standard promises, where Adobe and third parties add limitations, and what it means for document interchange. Adobe How Portable is PDF? Examining Format Limits https://mapsoft.com/posts/how-to-add-watermark-pdf.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/how-to-add-watermark-pdf.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Add text and image watermarks to PDFs in Adobe Acrobat: appearance settings, page ranges, saving configurations, removal, and JavaScript automation. How-To How to Add Watermarks to PDF Files https://mapsoft.com/posts/how-to-compare-pdfs.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/how-to-compare-pdfs.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Use Adobe Acrobat Pro's Compare Documents feature to spot differences between two PDF versions. Understand the comparison report and work with results. How-To How to Compare PDF Documents in Adobe Acrobat https://mapsoft.com/posts/how-to-encrypt-pdf.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/how-to-encrypt-pdf.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Step-by-step guide to password protection and encryption for PDFs in Adobe Acrobat: open passwords, permission passwords, and encryption strength. How-To How to Encrypt and Password-Protect PDF Files https://mapsoft.com/posts/how-to-rotate-pdf-pages.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/how-to-rotate-pdf-pages.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters How to permanently rotate individual pages or all pages in a PDF document using Adobe Acrobat, including saving the rotation correctly. How-To How to Rotate Pages in a PDF https://mapsoft.com/posts/illustrator-extension-technologies.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/illustrator-extension-technologies.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Explore how combining ExtendScript, C++ SDK plugins, and modern UI frameworks unlocks the full potential of Adobe Illustrator automation and extensibility. Development Combining Illustrator Extension Technologies https://mapsoft.com/posts/illustrator-scripts-colors.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/illustrator-scripts-colors.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Use Illustrator scripts to apply colour changes to artwork. Understanding RGB vs CMYK colour modes and automating colour transforms with ExtendScript. Development Using Illustrator Scripts to Modify Colors https://mapsoft.com/posts/illustrator-sdk-python-versions.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/illustrator-sdk-python-versions.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Switch between Python versions for Illustrator SDK plugin development on Windows and macOS. Includes batch scripts and pyenv setup instructions. Development Switching Python Versions for Illustrator SDK Dev https://mapsoft.com/posts/image-formats-comparison.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/image-formats-comparison.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Comparing image formats in PDFs: JPEG, PNG, TIFF, JBIG2, CCITT, and JPEG 2000. Compression methods, quality trade-offs, and best use cases. PDF Image Formats for PDF: JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and More https://mapsoft.com/posts/indesign-cc-2024-new-features.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/indesign-cc-2024-new-features.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Explore the new features in Adobe InDesign 2024 — Auto Style, searchable text in Publish Online, dynamic filename suffixes, and more. Adobe New Features in Adobe InDesign 2024 https://mapsoft.com/posts/interactive-pdfs.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/interactive-pdfs.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Create interactive PDFs with clickable buttons, form fields, multimedia, and navigation in Adobe Acrobat. Guide to building engaging, interactive PDF documents. How-To How to Create Interactive PDFs in Adobe Acrobat https://mapsoft.com/posts/modifying-pdf-files.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/modifying-pdf-files.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Practical guide to tools and approaches for editing PDF files, from basic Acrobat editing to custom development with the Adobe PDF Library. Development PDF Editing and Modification: Tools and Approaches https://mapsoft.com/posts/paperlessproofs.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/paperlessproofs.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Overview of PaperlessProofs, the online PDF proofing service for reviewing and annotating documents without printing, with production workflow integration. Company PaperlessProofs: Online Proofing for Print https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-annotations.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-annotations.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Guide to PDF annotations: types, how they are stored in the PDF format, review workflows, flattening, and scripting with Acrobat JavaScript. Development PDF Annotations: Types and Usage https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-base-14-fonts.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-base-14-fonts.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters The 14 standard fonts built into every PDF viewer — what they are, why they exist, and how Mapsoft products use them. Company The PDF Base-14 Standard Fonts https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-colour-management.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-colour-management.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters How colour management works in PDF — ICC profiles, output intents, colour spaces, and ensuring consistent colour in print and digital output. PDF Colour Management in PDF Documents https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-compression.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-compression.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Technical guide to PDF compression: image algorithms, font subsetting, content stream compression, downsampling, and Acrobat PDF Optimizer. Adobe PDF Compression: Reduce File Size, Keep Quality https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-file-size.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-file-size.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Learn why PDF files can be larger than expected and how to reduce them. A technical guide to PDF file size, auditing, and optimisation. How-To Understanding PDF File Size https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-format-spec.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-format-spec.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Latest PDF format spec updates. The second collection of errata for PDF 2.0 features 265 corrections for enhanced interoperability. PDF Exploring the PDF Format Specification https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-history.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-history.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters The birth and evolution of the PDF format. How Adobe Acrobat shaped its growth, plus key features and advantages including document integrity and security. History Evolution of PDF: A Historical Perspective https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-layers.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-layers.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters PDF layers (Optional Content Groups) explained: how OCGs work in ISO 32000, use cases in CAD and maps, creating layers, scripting, and printing. How-To PDF Layers (Optional Content Groups) https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-metadata.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-metadata.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Guide to PDF metadata: DocInfo dictionary, XMP streams, reading and editing properties in Acrobat, custom schemas, PDF/A requirements, and scripting. Adobe PDF Document Metadata https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-optimization-for-web.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-optimization-for-web.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Reduce PDF file size and enable fast web viewing: linearisation, image compression, font subsetting, and removing unused resources. PDF Optimising PDF Files for Web Delivery https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-page-boxes.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-page-boxes.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Understanding the five PDF page box types — what they define, how they're used in professional print production, and how to view them in Acrobat Pro. How-To PDF Page Boxes: MediaBox, CropBox & More https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-page-labels.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-page-labels.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Set PDF page labels in Adobe Acrobat — roman numerals, prefixes, and section-based numbering. Step-by-step guide to custom page labelling. Adobe PDF Page Labels: Setting Page Labels in Acrobat https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-page-numbering.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-page-numbering.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Learn how to use PDF page labels to number pages in Adobe Acrobat. Set Roman numerals, custom prefixes, and mixed numbering schemes across your documents. How-To How to Number Pages in PDF Documents https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-portfolios.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-portfolios.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters What PDF Portfolios are, how to create them in Acrobat Pro, and when to use them over merged PDFs. Covers layout themes, searching, and printing. How-To PDF Portfolios: Combining Files in a Single PDF https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-printing.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-printing.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Guide to printing PDFs: print dialog options, page scaling, N-up and booklet printing, PostScript drivers, overprint preview, and batch printing. PDF Printing PDFs: Options, Drivers & Best Practices https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-redaction.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-redaction.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Discover what PDF redaction is, its significance, and how it works in protecting sensitive information in documents. PDF What is PDF Redaction? https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-security.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-security.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Guide to PDF security: password types, permission flags, encryption algorithms, certificate security, and best practices for protecting PDF documents. How-To PDF Security: Passwords, Permissions & Encryption https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-structure.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-structure.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters How PDF files are structured internally — the four sections (header, body, cross-reference table, trailer), PDF objects, and content streams. PDF PDF Structure: How PDF Files Are Built https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-versions-comparison.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-versions-comparison.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters PDF 2.0 vs 1.7 compared: key differences, new features, deprecated elements, and what the changes mean for your document workflows. How-To PDF 2.0 vs 1.7: Key Differences Between Versions https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-web-links.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-web-links.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Learn how to use PDF web links for seamless access and better navigation through your files, including page navigation, named destinations, and zoom levels. How-To PDF Web Links and Named Destinations https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdfs-in-academic-research.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdfs-in-academic-research.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters How PDF is used in academic publishing: journal distribution, preprint servers, accessibility requirements, and challenges of extracting research data. Accessibility PDFs in Academic Research and Publishing https://mapsoft.com/posts/scanning-to-pdf.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/scanning-to-pdf.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Scan documents to PDF using Adobe Acrobat. Covers resolution, colour modes, OCR after scanning, presets, and PDF/A archival compliance. How-To Scanning Documents to PDF with Adobe Acrobat https://mapsoft.com/posts/spectrum-uxp-guide.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/spectrum-uxp-guide.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Explore Spectrum UXP components and design guidelines, including buttons, checkboxes, pickers, sliders, text fields, tooltips, and typography. Development Spectrum UXP Components and Design Guidelines https://mapsoft.com/posts/spot-colors.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/spot-colors.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters What spot colours are, how they differ from process colours, how Pantone spot colours work, and how spot colours are represented in PDF documents. PDF Spot Colours in Print and PDF https://mapsoft.com/posts/table-of-contents-guide.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/table-of-contents-guide.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters A table of contents lists document sections with page numbers or links. See examples, formatting tips, and how to generate a TOC for PDFs. How-To Table of Contents: Definition, Examples & PDF Tips https://mapsoft.com/posts/tagged-pdf-guide.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/tagged-pdf-guide.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Learn what tagged PDFs are, why they matter for accessibility, and how to create them. Includes practical examples and best practices. How-To Tagged PDFs: Definition, Usage and Examples https://mapsoft.com/posts/troubleshooting-acrobat.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/troubleshooting-acrobat.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Fix Adobe Acrobat problems: slow performance, PDF display issues, plugin conflicts, printing errors, and update failures. Tested solutions. How-To Troubleshooting Common Adobe Acrobat Problems https://mapsoft.com/posts/type-1-fonts.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/type-1-fonts.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters The history of PostScript Type 1 fonts, how they work technically, their role in PDF, and Adobe's end-of-support for the format. History Type 1 Fonts: Adobe's Legacy Font Format https://mapsoft.com/posts/understanding-colour-models.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/understanding-colour-models.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters A practical guide to RGB and CMYK colour models: how they work, their differences, and why colour management matters for screen-to-print conversion. PDF Understanding Colour Models: RGB and CMYK https://mapsoft.com/posts/uxp-vs-cep-photoshop.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/uxp-vs-cep-photoshop.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Compare UXP and CEP extensions in Photoshop. Differences in performance, compatibility, and security between the old and new extension platforms. How-To UXP vs CEP Extensions in Adobe Photoshop https://mapsoft.com/posts/variable-data-printing.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/variable-data-printing.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Creating personalised documents like direct mail and event tickets? Explore variable data printing standards including PDF/VT, PPML, and more. How-To Variable Data Printing Standards https://mapsoft.com/posts/what-is-acrobat-plugin.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/what-is-acrobat-plugin.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters How Acrobat plugins enhance Adobe Acrobat with added features, from interactive forms and annotations to advanced document processing tasks. Development What is an Acrobat Plug-in? https://mapsoft.com/posts/what-is-pdf.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/what-is-pdf.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters A clear explanation of what PDF is, why it was created, how it works, and why it remains the world's most widely used document format. PDF What is PDF? Portable Document Format Explained https://mapsoft.com/posts/64-bit-release.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/64-bit-release.html Mon, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Mapsoft has released a 64-bit Windows version of TOCBuilder to support Adobe Acrobat DC and Adobe Acrobat 2020 64-bit versions. News Mapsoft Releases 64-bit Windows Versions https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-standard-vs-pro.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-standard-vs-pro.html Mon, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Compare Acrobat Standard and Pro to find the right edition for your workflow. Key differences, platform availability, and who benefits from each version. Adobe Adobe Acrobat Standard vs Pro: Which Do You Need? https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-alternatives.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-alternatives.html Mon, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters The best Adobe Acrobat alternatives for PDF editing in 2026. Compare Foxit, PDF-XChange, Nitro, and free open-source options for your needs. Adobe Acrobat Alternatives: Best PDF Editors Compared https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-action-wizard.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-action-wizard.html Mon, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Acrobat Action Wizard guide - create automated multi-step PDF workflows for OCR, redaction, watermarking, and custom JavaScript actions. How-To PDF Workflows with Acrobat Action Wizard https://mapsoft.com/posts/fda-pdf-compliance.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/fda-pdf-compliance.html Mon, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Step-by-step guide to creating FDA-compliant PDFs with Acrobat, Mapsoft Bookmarker, and TOCBuilder. Covers fonts, bookmarks, searchability, and TOC. Compliance Creating FDA-Compliant PDF Submissions https://mapsoft.com/posts/batch-processing-acrobat.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/batch-processing-acrobat.html Mon, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Batch process multiple PDFs in Acrobat with Action Wizard, JavaScript, workflows, and plugins. Automate watermarks, security, OCR, and file changes. How-To Batch Process PDFs in Adobe Acrobat https://mapsoft.com/posts/how-to-merge-pdfs.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/how-to-merge-pdfs.html Mon, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Learn how to merge PDF files in Adobe Acrobat using the Combine Files tool, Insert Pages, and JavaScript. Covers bookmarks, form fields, and PDF/A compliance. How-To How to Merge PDFs in Adobe Acrobat https://mapsoft.com/posts/how-to-edit-pdfs.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/how-to-edit-pdfs.html Mon, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters A practical guide to editing text, images, and pages in PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat's Edit PDF tools. How-To How to Edit PDF Files in Adobe Acrobat https://mapsoft.com/posts/how-to-split-pdf.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/how-to-split-pdf.html Mon, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Learn how to split PDF files in Adobe Acrobat - extract pages, split by page count or file size, split by bookmarks, and automate splits with JavaScript. How-To How to Split PDF Files in Acrobat https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-bookmarks.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-bookmarks.html Mon, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters A complete guide to PDF bookmarks: what they are, how they work in the PDF specification, how Acrobat generates them, and how to automate their creation. PDF PDF Bookmarks: A Complete Guide https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-pdfa-standard.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-pdfa-standard.html Mon, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters In-depth guide to PDF/A, the ISO 19005 standard for long-term archiving. Covers conformance levels, requirements, prohibited features, and conversion. PDF PDF/A: The Archival PDF Standard https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-sdk-overview.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/acrobat-sdk-overview.html Mon, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Adobe Acrobat SDK guide - build plugins, automate PDF workflows, and extend Acrobat using C++ and the Acrobat SDK APIs. Development Acrobat SDK: A Developer's Guide https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-accessibility.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-accessibility.html Mon, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters Guide to PDF accessibility: tagged PDF, WCAG 2.1, PDF/UA (ISO 14289), logical structure, alt text, table markup, reading order, and remediation. PDF PDF Accessibility: Creating Accessible Documents https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-digital-signatures.html https://mapsoft.com/posts/pdf-digital-signatures.html Mon, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Peters How PDF digital signatures work: cryptographic signing, PKI certificates, approval vs certification signatures, long-term validation, and PAdES. PDF Digital Signatures in PDF Documents