Compare two PDF files

[ArielRauch]

Hi,

is there a way to check whether two PDF files are identical.

We have a print portal and we let our users change content (VDP). Some of those jobs are sent to offset print with plates already in place.

I need to know whether the user did any change to the file in order to:

1. Order a new plate

2. Charge the customer



How can I do this - any ideas?



Thanks



Ariel

[gabrielp]

I've never used ImageMagic with PDF, but there is a compare function: http://www.crossroads-world.com/en/Home ... osts&t=572

[ArielRauch]

Thank you, Gabriel!

There are some free pdfdiff utilities (which I have not tried yet) but I first wanted to know if there is already anyone here in the forum that experience the same problem and perhaps was able to solve it with pitstop or switch internal tools.

[dkelly]

The key question is will an image-based comparison be sufficient or do you need a object based comparison?

[ArielRauch]

@Dwight: I think image comparison is good enough.

I need to know whether any field was changed, so if I compare the resulting pdf file against a pdf file which represents the last version (for which we have a plate) it should work.

[dkelly]

Image comparison works well but can fail if page size changes or produce false positives if there are small rounding errors in object placement coordinates.

[ArielRauch]

So how do you suggest to progress? How shall I do the image comparison?

[compendio]

Ariel,



We use Adobe Framemaker and we have to check the resulting pdf after layout imports if they looks still the same. It might be close on what you have to achive.



We use pdfToolbox in Switch or Diffpdf. The Diffpdfc is a command line version, I haven't use in Switch. PdfToolbox Server works perfect together with Switch12.



Best regards,

Thomas

[compendio]

Ariel,



There is a sample flow, checkout the compare at the end

Sample



You can get a fully funcional trial version from callas.



Best regards,

Thomas