Compilations/How-tos (A separate edition)

[onlineapps]

Install pdftk. It includes a merge tool. Here's a command on how to do it:

pdftk issue1.pdf issue2.pdf issue3.pdf

[ronniet]

Install pdftk. It includes a merge tool. Here's a command on how to do it:
pdftk issue1.pdf issue2.pdf issue3.pdf

...but can it merge specific pages from specific issues into a new PDF??

[deicidist]

Pdftk is amazing. Command-line only, but very useful. And to answer your question, Ronnie, yes it can:

First, use the 'Burst' utility to separate all the pages of the magazine into separate PDF files. (I recommend doing all of the following in a separate folder, so you don't get lost if there are many pages to sort through!)

pdftk in.pdf burst

Then delete the pages you don't need. Do this for each magazine containing the content you wish to merge. When that's finished, you can use the following command to merge all of the separate pages into a single PDF file. (since the command I'm using uses a wildcard, make sure that there is no other content than what you need in this folder as it will merge EVERY pdf in the folder)

pdftk *.pdf cat output combined.pdf

Note that the above command combines all the PDFs in that folder in alphabetical order. Be sure that your documents are named in the order you wish to merge them if you do this!

For more info, check the man-pages!

[onlineapps]

Haha... was about to say no

[deicidist]

Haha... was about to say no

lol

Where there's a will...

[ronniet]

Pdftk is amazing. Command-line only, but very useful. And to answer your question, Ronnie, yes it can

Well, what are you waiting for, Christmas? Get to it!

[deicidist]

Hahaha, don't worry! I'm already all over this one! Expect a few drafts in the next week or so!

I should add that I'm not just looking to merge a few pages from pre-published work. I want polished, proper looking special editions. I'll start with my personal favourite (Scribus) and work from there!

[deicidist]

So... I did a quick job of compiling the individual pages (in PDF format) and merged the entire 30-page Scribus How-To compilation into a single file.

The result?

I have a 161MB file called Scribus.pdf that looks great, works and has everything. The problem is, it's 161MB.

pdftk turns each individual page into a file that is just under 6MB, when it merges them, that's all it does. I turned to the man-pages and found a compress option. I tried it, hoping for the best, and got a second 161MB file.

Any ideas?

(Not a big deal, I still intend to do it properly, but it'd be nice to know how to do this for later!)

PS- If anyone wants a copy of the 161MB Scribus.pdf file, send me a message, or find me on the #fullcirclemagazine channel!

[onlineapps]

Did you post on the pdftk mailing list or forms (if they have any)?

[deicidist]

Not yet. I'll do that this weekend when I'm not so busy. lol