What is flattening and why would you flatten a plans and specs PDF?
Flattening is a term that refers to combining all contents of a PDF into a single layer. Uploading Plans and Specs PDFs may include too many layers or complex annotations that will slow down or cause errors in the OCR process. Optimizing the PDF by flattening the document before upload is recommended for the best OCR experience.
How to flatten a plans and specs PDF?
There are multiple free and paid software options that will allow you to flatten your PDF. Below are the instructions on how to flatten and remove layers from a PDF using Adobe Acrobat Pro, but any solution can be used that creates a single layer and decreases the processing needed to scan and upload the document.
To view any updates to Adobe Acrobat Pro’s instructions: Click here
How to flatten a PDF using Acrobat Pro:
Make a copy of your PDF.
Choose Advanced > Print Production > Flattener Preview.
Adjust the Raster/Vector balance.
Select Convert All Text To Outlines.
Deselect Clip Complex Regions.
Click Apply to flatten the PDF.
Close the Flattener Preview dialog box.
Print document.
How to remove layers from a PDF using Acrobat Pro (8 or later):
Make a backup copy of your PDF file > Save As.
Open the copy and choose Advanced > PDF Optimizer > Save.
Select Discard User Data.
Select Discard Hidden Layer Content and Flatten Visible Layers and click OK.
Save Optimized PDF with a new file name.
Open the Layers panel (if the Layers panel is not visible, choose View > Navigation Panels > Layers).
Click the Options pop-up, select Merge or Flatten Layers. Remember: flattening layers removes layers that aren’t visible onscreen.
Save > Print file.
Note: Instructions are subject to change. Any suggested software usage is not a requirement of using RedTeam Software.