Is there a PDF form element that allows you to browse and insert a picture into a predefined area?
May 18, 2011 3:53 PM   Subscribe

Is there a PDF form element that allows you to browse and insert a picture into a predefined area?

I have a fillable PDF form. I'm aware of the text and combobox options. However, I want a "insert picture here" box. My ideal workflow would be:

User...
1. Opens PDF
2. Fills out text form elements
3. Clicks on a predefined "image" box
4. Browses for a jpg
5. JPG fits to predefined box area
6. Save with picture embedded into the PDF

Is this possible? I have Acrobat 9 Standard.
posted by colecovizion to Computers & Internet (4 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
You need Acrobat Pro.

There is a field that you can add to a form that allows the user to insert images into the field. Following that you could make the form savable.
posted by lampshade at 4:41 PM on May 18, 2011


Response by poster: Hi Lampshade,

I downloaded a demo of Acrobat X Pro and I'm not seeing a form tool with this feature. What is the name of the form tool you're referring to? Thanks
posted by colecovizion at 6:12 PM on May 18, 2011


Best answer: I don't Acrobat X yet, I use Acrobat 9 Pro. In that suite, you would use Adobe LiveCycle to open your PDF.
- From within that app, there will be a palette that will include standard object types.
- One of those is Image Field. (There is another called type just called Image - you don't want that)
- Select that Image Filed object and drag it to the PDF. You can resize it as needed.
- Now you can preview the PDF. When you click in the new Image Field box, it will prompt you to find the image you want to use in that box.

Save the PDF.

The final part is to make the PDF savable.
- Open the PDF within Acrobat Pro.
- In the Advance menu, choose "Extend Features in Acrobat Reader".
- It will do its magic, then it will ask you to re-save the PDF.

Now the PDF is a document is a file that can be opened and saved by the Acrobat Reader for any user.

I hope this helps.
posted by lampshade at 7:57 PM on May 18, 2011


Response by poster: Awesome!* Thanks so much, Lampshade. Your instructions work perfectly, even with version X

* Only downsides: The file size of the PDF bloats to twice the jpg size and it doesn't clean up after itself very well if you clear the form.

Note to others: As of version X, the Lifecycle program is only available in Windows, not Mac
posted by colecovizion at 4:14 PM on May 19, 2011


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