PDF/A-1b Archives

Revu can convert PDF files that comply with the PDF/A-1b standard into PDF/A archive files. Many of the Bluebeam plugins can also create PDF/A archives directly as a Post Processing option; see the Help files native to those plugins to learn more about their Post Processing options.

PDF/A-1b is a variant of the PDF format that is intended for long term archival of PDF files. PDF/A is a subset of the full PDF 1.4 format. Any elements that are not supported by PDF/A must be removed or, if possible, modified to comply with the PDF/A requirements. One of the requirements of PDF/A is that the file be self contained. All fonts must be embedded and then all external references, like links to a web site or external file, must be removed.

Because of the strict requirements of PDF/A, some files cannot be converted to comply with PDF/A. This is not uncommon. If the PDF/A conversion fails, Revu issues a report listing the issues that could not be resolved so that you can see if the PDF can be recreated from the original source in a manner that will comply with PDF/A or allow the PDF to be converted to comply with PDF/A.

Revu offers two methods for creating PDF/A archives: you can convert a PDF into a PDF/A (leaving you with one document, the PDF/A), or you can export a PDF as a PDF/A (leaving you with two documents, the original PDF and the PDF/A).

Revu issues a report when the PDF/A conversion is successful showing what changes were made to the PDF or why the PDF could not be converted. An existing PDF can also be verified to show if it complies with PDF/A and if not, what changes would be required to comply. For more details on working with PDF/A archives and the verification report, see Viewing and Editing PDF/A Archives.

PDF/A files will almost always be larger than the original PDF file. This is usually because the fonts have to be embedded into the PDF.