Replacing or overlaying a layered document with Replace Pages or Overlay Pages feature won't retain the layer structure

[rakunavi]

Hello all,

When a document with layers is specified as a new document in the Replace Pages feature, the result is the same no matter what layer setting is selected in the Layers option. Also, when a document with layers is specified as the Source document in the Overlay Pages feature, the layers are not reflected correctly.

The sample files are "Old.pdf" and "New.pdf". "Old.pdf" has Layer1 and Layer2, and "New.pdf" has Layer2 and Layer3.

• figure1.png

• SampleFiles.zip

In the Options dialog of the Replace Pages function, you can choose from the following three options for Layers, and there is also an option "Merge with existing layers if they have the same name".

• Do Not Copy
• Copy All
• Copy Pages Related Layers

• figure2.png

If I choose "Copy All" or "Copy Pages Related Layers" setting, I can assume that at least Layer3 will be present in the replaced document, but even after trying all combinations of settings, the layers seem to be completely ignored.

Similar behavior is true for the Overlay Pages feature. If I choose the "Copy Corresponding Layers from Source" option, I can assume the overlaid document will have Layer3, but this too seems to ignore the Layers.

• figure3.png
  
  
  Animation.gif

Hoping that the above information will be of some help to you.
Thank you so much for your continued support.

Best regards,
rakunavi

- PDF-XChange Editor PRO Version: 10.6.0 build 396
- OS Version: Windows 11 Pro / Home 24H2 Build 26100.4061
- PC Model: GMKtec Nucbox M7 Pro with HUION Kamvas Pro 19 / Lenovo IdeaPad C340-15IWL

[Daniel - PDF-XChange]

Hello, rakunavi

Thank you for the report, In my testing, it seems that the replace pages function is being negatively impacted by the "retain interactive features" option. When this is enabled, the layer controls do not seem to work:

image.png

Disabling this gives the desired output on page replacement, but it should still be addressed so I will be passing that along to the Dev team.

Overlay pages seems to be a different issue, and oddly I cannot reproduce it on this end with the default settings or any permutation I can think of. I always see the new layers added as expected:

image(1).png

Could I ask you to export your application settings and sent them over (In a zip file), so we can try to reproduce that with your configuration and see what may be the cause?

[Edit]
We managed to reproduce the overlay pages issue. Both of these issues are being targeted for fixes in the next release
RT#7506: Layer controls - Overlay and replace page errors

Kind regards,

[rakunavi]

Hello Daniel, thank you for creating the ticket!

Here, too, I have confirmed that the layers are reflected correctly by disabling the "Retain comments and other interactive features on the pages to be replaced" option.

However, even in that case, there seems to be something wrong with the bolding of the layers in the Layers pane immediately after replacement. In the Layers pane, whether or not the layer object exists on the current page is indicated by whether or not the layer name is in bold, but it seems that the latest status is not reflected immediately after the page is replaced. By saving and reloading the file, the correct information will be displayed, but this is just a minor concern.

• figure.png
  
  
  Animation.gif

Thank you also for confirming the problem with the overlay feature. My forum report assumes the default settings unless otherwise noted, but I am relieved to hear that you were able to reproduce the problem there as well.

Please give my best regards to the developer.

Best regards,
rakunavi

[Daniel - PDF-XChange]

Hello, rakunavi

I see the same here, certainly a minor thing, but an oddity nonetheless. I will make a note of this as well, thank you for reporting it.

Kind regards,