Knowledge Base - Technical Articles
Bug: Cannot disable PDF layer support for PDFs exported from ArcMap
| Article ID: | 31598 |
|---|---|
| Bug Id: | NIM004108 |
| Software: | ArcGIS - ArcEditor 9.2, 9.3, 9.3.1 ArcGIS - ArcInfo 9.2, 9.3, 9.3.1 ArcGIS - ArcView 9.2, 9.3, 9.3.1, 10 |
| Platforms: | N/A |
Description
ArcGIS 9.2 includes support of PDF layers; the creation of PDF layers cannot be disabled.
ArcGIS Desktop 9.3 includes the ability to disable PDF layers. See the
ArcGIS 9.3 Webhelp on Advanced PDF Features for more information.
ArcGIS Desktop 9.3 includes the ability to disable PDF layers. See the
ArcGIS 9.3 Webhelp on Advanced PDF Features for more information.
Cause
This is a known limitation in ArcGIS versions 9.1 and 9.2.
Workaround
For users of ArcGIS 9.2 previous to Service Pack 5: Place all of the layers in the map into a Group Layer. All data layers listed in the Group Layer export as a single PDF layer. Annotation groups and labels still draw as separate layers.
ArcGIS 9.2 Service Pack 5 (SP5) adds the ability to prevent PDF layer creation using a registry key. Follow the steps below to add the registry key to disable layer creation.
WARNING: The instructions below include making changes to essential parts of your operating system. It is recommended that you backup your operating system and files, including the registry, before proceeding. Consult with a qualified computer systems professional, if necessary.
Esri cannot guarantee results from incorrect modifications while following these instructions; therefore, use caution and proceed at your own risk.
ArcGIS 9.2 Service Pack 5 (SP5) adds the ability to prevent PDF layer creation using a registry key. Follow the steps below to add the registry key to disable layer creation.
WARNING: The instructions below include making changes to essential parts of your operating system. It is recommended that you backup your operating system and files, including the registry, before proceeding. Consult with a qualified computer systems professional, if necessary.
Esri cannot guarantee results from incorrect modifications while following these instructions; therefore, use caution and proceed at your own risk.
- If the ArcMap Export Map dialog box is open, close it.
- Navigate to Start > Run, type regedit, and click OK.
- Expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ESRI\Export\ExportObjectsParams.
- Navigate to Edit > New > DWORD Value.
- Rename the new DWORD Value: pdf_ExportPdfLayers.
- Double-click pdf_ExportPdfLayers to edit the value.
- Click the Base Hexadecimal radio button in Base and set the value data to 0 to disable PDF layer creation.
- Click OK; the Data value is displayed in the value field:
To re-enable PDF layer creation, change the value to 'FFFFFFFF' (no quotes):
- Close the Registry Editor. ArcMap and other ArcGIS applications will now use the PDF layers option that was defined.
Related Information
- Layers in a PDF exported from ArcGIS Desktop do not match the layers of the map
As of ArcGIS 9.2, exported PDF files contain layer information, so certain layers can be enabled and disabled in a compatible PDF reader. The layers in the PDF may not exactly match the layers in the source map document. This document addresses t...
Created: 8/14/2006
Last Modified: 8/11/2011Article Rating:
(1)
By Anonymous - 09/17/2008 9:07 AM
Other - See details below.
I realize this is a known limitation, but the fact that this is being placed in the forum as a workaround is alarming. A patch that requires the user to go into regedit? How is that a patch exactly? And yes, I realize it's fixed in 9.3...there was also a service pack 6 for 9.2 but it wasn't fixed in there.
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