PDF file commenting

chemistry_geek · #1 June 11th, 2007, 12:26 AM

I'm a scientist and have my CV, research summaries, and project presentations in PDF format. I use primarily OpenOffice.org 2.2 for my CV, Microsoft Word for research summaries, and PowerPoint for presentations. After printing these documents to PDF format, I would like to add comments to certain portions of these documents with Adobe Reader 8.1.0., however, after opening my PDF documents in Adobe Reader, and pressing Command-D, for 'Properties...,' the Security under Document Properties indicates that Commenting is not allowed.

Is there anyway that I can change the security features of the PDF files created by Mac OS X, OpenOffice 2.2, and other programs to allow for commenting? I've already reviewed the documentation for Adobe Reader 8.1.0. and determined that this program will allow for commenting should the file's security allow it. Can I change the security without corrupting the PDF? It is important that the commented PDF files be viewable in any PDF reader.

Sincerely,
Chemistry_Geek

Natobasso · #2 June 11th, 2007, 12:37 AM

try turning off security in the pdf files. If a password is required, use your user password for your user account. Normally, pdfs created need to have the password feature elected for it to apply, so it's strange you're not able to add comments to your own files...

chemistry_geek · #3 June 12th, 2007, 07:45 AM

How do you turn-off PDF security? It's not an option in Mac OS X as far as I know.

ebykm · #4 June 12th, 2007, 09:21 AM

Um, you need Adobe Acrobat, not Acrobat Reader(free pdf viewer).

Natobasso · #5 June 12th, 2007, 12:10 PM

Yep, Acrobat.

So are you saying when you go to print a page, the 'Save for PDF' option isn't available? You may just have a problem with permissions for your pdf files. Can you 'get info' on one of the offending pdf files and let us know what the permissions are for the file? They should be Read/Write, Read/Write and for Other: None.

chemistry_geek · #6 June 12th, 2007, 10:00 PM

Attached is a screen shot from Adobe Reader Help and Document Properties for my CV in PDF format generated by OpenOffice 2.2. The document properties for the other PDF's are the same as my CV.

Adobe Reader should be able to add comments to PDF files according to the documentation. I think that just changing the security features would allow this.

chemistry_geek

Natobasso · #7 June 13th, 2007, 09:50 AM

If you had Distiller you could create eps or ps file and then distill that file to a pdf. Then you could see if it's your document or Mac OS X's print to pdf feature that's causing the security issue.

I have a feeling it's your document causing the security lock.

chemistry_geek · #8 June 13th, 2007, 10:21 PM

Thank you all for your help, I really appreciate the effort and suggestions.