Creating file packages

Some PDF standards allows the embedding of PDF- and also non-PDF-files into another PDF file. Sometime these filepackages are also called collections. Using pdfaPilot CLI it is possible to create such file packages from a complete folder or to define different ways how a file which shall be embedded is handled. In general a file package is created with --collection This will create an index document, which lists all embedded files from the given folder. Also an existing folder structure will be respected 

--collection <folder>

In general a file package is created with --collection This will create an index document, which lists all embedded files. 

--collection <file> [<file>]

Settings for file embedding 

--collection [--embedinto=[target],<file>] [--embedfile= [target,[relationship],<file>] [--embedwithlink= [area,<file>]

--embedinto

It is possible to use own templates or normal PDF for embedding files. The standard for the file where other files will be embedded can be defined using the conversion target (see below). If no file is defined, an index file is created. Instead of using a destination file, also a folder containing a HTML-based Template with an index.html can be used as destination. The overview page of all embedded files will be created with the layout defined within this template then.

Parameters

target

A3b, A3u, A3a, A2b, A2u, A2a, A1b, A1a or No (Default)

--embedfile

Also for files to embed a conversion target can be defined using the con-­version target. For PDF/A-3 standards also a relationship entry for each embedded file can be set.

Parameters

target

A3b, A3u, A3a, A2b, A2u, A2a, A1b, A1a, PDF or No (Default)

Using the target "No", no conversion to PDF is done. (Only available for embedded files.)

relationship

Source, Data, Alternative, Supple-­ment, Unspecified (Default)

--embedwithlink

Alternatively, files can be embedded with defining an area in the contain-­ing document, where a link to the contained file is created. No conversion will take place with the file to embed.

Parameters

area

X1,X2,Y1,Y2[pt, in, cm, mm]

Defines a rectangular area, based on the lower left corner of the page, where a link to the embedded file is inserted. Default unit is pt.

  • Note: The "--embedwithlink" function is not supported when using an HTML-based template for the creation of the overview page.

Example: 

--collection --embedinto=A3b,<PDF file> --embedfile=A3b, Alternative,<file> --embedfile=A2b,Source,<Office file> --embedfile=No,Data,<file> 

--collection --embedinto=A3b,<path to HTML template folder> <folder with files to create a collection from> -o=<path to result PDF> 
--collection --embedwithlink=10,10,100,100,<file> --embedwithlink=10mm,100mm,100mm,200mm,<file>