Generating additional PDF output from a Process Plan step

pdfToolbox 10 onwards, you can add a new Process Plan step to generate additional PDF output files from a Process Plan. Where before, a single Process Plan would always have a single PDF output file, using this new "Create PDF copy" step, a single Process Plan can now save additional PDF output files. See how it works in pdfToolbox 11 (go below for pdfToolbox 10 UI)

1. The process plan step is called "Create PDF copy". As with all other steps, the step can be added via the list with the sequence steps on the right using Drag&Drop.

2. The new step is included in the Process plan as shown in the figure. By default, this step results in an additional PDF file with the same name as the usual result of the complete Process plan (in the same folder where the regular result file is created).

For "Create PDF copy" a number of properties are provided in the column on the right that can be set.

3. The "Prefix" property allows you to optionally specify a prefix for the name of the PDF document created by this step.

4. The "Suffix" property allows you to optionally specify a suffix for the name of the PDF document generated by this step.

5. The "Folder" property allows you to optionally specify a folder for the PDF copy created by this step. This copy will then be saved in a relative folder with the specified folder name next to the output PDF file. 

Example: If copy is specified under "Folder", a new folder named "copy" will be created next to the output PDF file during Process Plan execution and the PDF copy will be saved in this folder.
Note: It is not possible to specify a complete file path, e.g. c:\temp\copy, but only a relative folder at the level of the output file. 

6. The "Overwrite existing file" checkbox allows existing files to be overwritten by files of the same name created in this step. Variables are possible for this (orange triangle).

7. The option "Replace file name with prefix and suffix" allows changes to the file name. Variables are possible for this (orange triangle).

8. Finally, the step in this category can be activated or deactivated.

9. By clicking on the connection type, you can set the conditions under which the next connected step is to take place. These are available here: "If successful", "If error" and "If deactivated".

Alternatively in pdfToolbox 10 or lower
  1. The Process Plan step is called "Create PDF copy". As all other steps, double-clicking or clicking the "Add" button the right of the name, inserts the step at the end of your Process Plan.
  2. This is how this new step looks in a Process Plan. By default, this step outputs an additional PDF file with the same name as the regular result of the complete Process Plan and next to it (in the same folder as where the regular output file is generated).
  3. This property allows specifying an optional prefix that will be added to the name of the PDF file generated by this step.
  4. This property allows specifying an optional suffix that will be added to the name of the PDF file generated by this step.
  5. This property allows specifying an optional folder for the output file generated by this step. If used, a folder with the specified name will be created and the output file generated by this step will be saved into this folder.
  6. Select this checkbox to overwrite any file with the same name as the file generated by this step.
  7. These options allows setting up what needs to happen next based on success or failure of this step.

Remarks

  • The Process Plan always generates an output PDF files, whether or not you use such a step. Using this step simply generates an extra output PDF file.
  • You can use this step multiple times in the same Process Plan if you need to generate multiple output files at different stages of your Process Plan.