Save comments outside the document

[lch]

Hi,

I'm using PDF-XChange (free) and am happy with it, especially with the commenting facilities.
Though, the comments are stored back into the PDF file from what I've seen. This annoys me. In addition I'd like to be able to have these comments stored elsewhere not to modify the original file.

Hence, it is possible to have the comments,
- In a separate file
- Ideally in a shareable webdav space
+ ability to have several comment files (i.e. personal, shared, public comment streams)

Is that possible? Planned? Other ideas?

Thank you
Regards
-- Laurent

[Stefan - PDF-XChange]

Hello Laurent,

The PDF is a "Portable Document Format" as such there should be ways to store all annotations inside the file itself - and that is how we store them.

There is a way to export them - to a data file, and you can do that without saving the file, so there is no need to modify your original file.
There is also the summarize comments (pro) feature that allows you to have your comments plus the context they were placed in exported to a new PDF file and you can store that for later as well.

With the ability to export comments you can create as many sets as you like for any given PDF document.

Regards,
Stefan

[lch]

The PDF is a "Portable Document Format" as such there should be ways to store all annotations inside the file itself - and that is how we store them.

For sure, I do not challenge this.

There is a way to export them - to a data file, and you can do that without saving the file, so there is no need to modify your original file.

Seems interesting indeed. I haven't seen it before.
But I could not have it working. When I "Comment->Export comments to data file..." from menu, nothing happens. No error message, no implicit save, not even a popup window.

Though, my concern is also to be able to record reading comments on "protected documents". when the file can not be saved, the comment feature does not work.

There is also the summarize comments (pro) feature that allows you to have your comments plus the context they were placed in exported to a new PDF file and you can store that for later as well.

I don't have the pro version yet.

Thx
-- LC

[Stefan - PDF-XChange]

Hello lch,

But I could not have it working. When I "Comment->Export comments to data file..." from menu, nothing happens. No error message, no implicit save, not even a popup window.

- that is strange, you should be prompted to select a save path for an .fdf file. Please make sure you are using the latest build of our Viewer (currently 2.0.49)

About protected documents I am afraid you will need to be making the notes using a third party software (e.g. Notepad) as if the security restrictions in a given file do not allow annotating we comply with them and do not allow you to use any such annotations as there is no way to differentiate whether you will try to save them in the file or outside.

Best,
Stefan

[lch]

Hi,

But I could not have it working. When I "Comment->Export comments to data file..." from menu, nothing happens. No error message, no implicit save, not even a popup window.

- that is strange, you should be prompted to select a save path for an .fdf file. Please make sure you are using the latest build of our Viewer (currently 2.0.49)

Yes I have "version 2.0 (Build 49.0)".

About protected documents I am afraid you will need to be making the notes using a third party software (e.g. Notepad) as if the security restrictions in a given file do not allow annotating we comply with them and do not allow you to use any such annotations as there is no way to differentiate whether you will try to save them in the file or outside.

Too bad.
I do agree with the necessity to respect the security restrictions and not to patch the file. This is exactly why I expect means to keep/save annotation elsewhere. Even protected, file may require comments.

But if it is not available, we will not make it, at least I - too bad it's not open source
Maybe in another release...

Cheers
-- LC

[Paul - PDF-XChange]