Placing multi-page PDF via AppleScript

[frailer]

Still tooling with this, and I may get the hang of it. Possibly might have to supply back a previously supplied (to us) PDF, with correction pages replaced back in.

My 1st method was to start a new 44pp Indy Doc, set up as Spreads...the usual. Then Window>Utilities>Scripts>Application>Applescript>Place MultiPage PDF. Should I have set up Frames on every page, or is that incorporated in the Script?
What I'm getting is an 88pp Doc, so am doing, or not doing, something right. The PDF doc is Q8 generated, but has page boxes present and correct. (see below).

This one am playing with ahead, so have some time.

[gnubler]

Never used it, didn't know it existed. I use the built in script in Indy for placing PDFs. Use it quite often, love it.

[frailer]

Ahem...stand easy. I did it by using Replace Pages in Acrobat. I'd still like to know the basic modus operandi of that multi-page Place Script, though.   :undecided:

[gnubler]

I would, too. Seems like the other 8 active members all died simultaneously on the same day.  :cry:

[Joe]

Start with one page, no frames. It creates the frames and pages.

[frailer]

Start with one page, no frames. It creates the frames and pages.

Thought it might...afterwards.   :laugh:   It's something I'll tool with, so I know how to do it. Even though the PDFs were centred and had Page Boxes, everything got offset. By the amount of the Media Box offset from Trim, I think.   :undecided:    Maybe that Script is for Media Box = Trim... sorta PDFs.
To be investigated.

[Joe]

InDesign, by default, uses the last setting used for placing PDF's so if the last PDF you placed used the trim box then it will use the trim box again. If you want it to use the media box, manually place a PDF and select the option to "Show Import Options" and place the PDF selecting Media box. Delete the PDF and then use the script and it will place the top left corner of the PDF at the top left corner of the page. So if you have your page size in Indy set to the same as the PDF media box they should be positioned correctly.

[frailer]

Hmm... I think that's where my thinking is currently about Placing individual PDFs on a certain page size, and then centering. This isn't what's happening here, correct?
Here, if I have pages which are trim size = 240mmx330mm, but with Media box set to 10mm all around (260x350), then I'll need to 'set' the initial Page Place at a page size of 260x350, with Import Options set to Media Box.
Am now thinking this won't work too well with Indy set to Spreads. I can't see how spine butts will work using this Script. Single pages will work. Could be missing something though...   :azn:
Shalll play again tomorrow. Thanks for that lead.

[Stiv]

Yeah, what Joe said. I use this script often. It is very handy.

[DigiCorn]

Ditto Joe and Stiv. Have to do this often - we get a lot of pdfs in reader spreads. Easier than adjusting page position in Preps.

[Joe]

Hmm... I think that's where my thinking is currently about Placing individual PDFs on a certain page size, and then centering. This isn't what's happening here, correct?
Here, if I have pages which are trim size = 240mmx330mm, but with Media box set to 10mm all around (260x350), then I'll need to 'set' the initial Page Place at a page size of 260x350, with Import Options set to Media Box.
Am now thinking this won't work too well with Indy set to Spreads. I can't see how spine butts will work using this Script. Single pages will work. Could be missing something though...   :azn:
Shalll play again tomorrow. Thanks for that lead.

It should work but with one bad side effect. Open a new Indy doc made to trim size. Place a PDF. Make sure "Show Import Options" is checked. Select trim box and import. Now delete the PDF and run your script. They will all come in at trim size. Side effect: Frame will be trim size so you won't see the bleed. You can try placing a frame in the master page at bleed size and see if Indy will use it for all pages instead of creating it's own frame. Haven't tried it and I'm doubtful but it's worth a try.

If you make your document at bleed size (260x350) then your page boxes will be screwed up in the resulting PDF as the media size of the new PDF would be the same as the trim size. And the trim size will now be the actual previous PDF bleed size.

[Joe]

Correction: Disregard previous post. The PDF import script always uses Crop Media as it is programmed into the Applescript. I've tried changing it to trim but the applescript won't compile after changing it. Of course I'm sure I'm doing something wrong as I'm not a programmer.

[Joe]

OK, I got the edited Applescript to compile uisng "Trim Media" instead of "Crop Media". It is attached if anyone wants it. Just uncompress the zip and place into your InDesign Scripts/Applescript folder.

[frailer]

OK, I got the edited Applescript to compile uisng "Trim Media" instead of "Crop Media". It is attached if anyone wants it. Just uncompress the zip and place into your InDesign Scripts/Applescript folder.

As Charlie Drake said, in "My Boomerang Won't Come Back".... 'Now, slowly back...and...throw!'   :laugh:   I'll give that a shot. Had to  read it a couple of times as the espresso machine's still warming up here. Cheers, Joe.

[Joe]

I still can't get it to bring it in at crop size with the document set to trim size and have the bleed show with everything positioned correctly. I've opened the javascript version and it seems that it might have the capability if I can figure out what to change. Don't hold your breath though.