Photoshop Elements - Editing a PDF file (Need help fast)

Factual Questions
1

I have a PDF file that has print too light for the intended recipient to easily read. I tried reading it into Word, but the formatting was all screwed up.

I used to use Photoshop Elements somewhat frequently so I paid for and downloaded a new version for the computer I’m now using. I can load the file (which comes in as 10 separate files, one for each page, as I expected).

When I adjust Brightness and Contrast, the preview view looks great. However, when I click OK, most of the difference disappears. What am I doing wrong? How do I get it to retain my changes?

2

I’ve never used Elements, but is it possible you’re editing a layer that isn’t the top layer? Make sure only one layer is active.

I’m guessing this isn’t the case, but sometimes, at least with (regular) PS, an extra layer sneaks in and can confuse you.

3

No layers. I’m clearly not aces at this software. but I did remember to check that out.

4

Where did the PDF come from? What software? Does it contain a document, vector graphics, bitmap, or a combination of those?

PDF isn’t really designed to be edited. You really should go back to the software (or person) who originally generated the PDF, make the adjustments there and export to PDF again.

5

You are trying to fix something using software that is not really optimal - to say the least - for the task at hand. Go back to the document creation stage and fix it there.

6

It’s a document, which includes some formatted tabular info.

It came from an insurance company, and my sister (the recipient) has already contacted them to get something more readable. They basically told her that what she had was the best they could do.

I don’t want to really edit it – all I want is to improve the darkness of the type (which I think also means increasing the contrast) to make it easier for her to read.

7

Ah, right. Is there any law where you are that compels companies to accommodate people with visual impairment?

8

[QUOTE=
When I adjust Brightness and Contrast, the preview view looks great. However, when I click OK, most of the difference disappears. What am I doing wrong? How do I get it to retain my changes?[/QUOTE]

Instead of just clicking OK do you have a “Save As” or “Save” option?

9

I might be dumb, but I think I’m missing something here.

I work with PDF files quite a bit, but I’ve never had any printing issues. All the font and graphics data is in the file.

Is this an image of a PDF that you’ve received?

Are you you using the LEVELS dialog box to make these adjustments?

10

An actual document with black type on a white background, or more like a bad scan of an illegible fax? If it is the former, but with an illegible/small font, you might be able to change the typeface, but that runs the risk of screwing up the formatting. In the latter case, maybe an appropriate filter, like unsharp masking, might help.

If the document was created digitally, though, how did it get all blurry and faded in the first place? Use a normal typeface like Times New Roman at non-microscopic size.

11

Maybe print the PDF to PDF (I know, it sounds crazy), open the re-printed version with Elements, and then print it again to a third PDF?

Sometimes PDFs like to store some of the original fidelity of the document, especially when you’re using Adobe products to create or edit them. But when you “print to PDF”, often times all of that gets flattened and makes future destructive editing (of the type you’re trying to do) easier.

But yeah, what kind of inept insurer can’t make a PDF with solid text =/ Yeesh

12

I’ve never used Photoshop Elements, but this article says it’s a raster editor. Raster format includes images, not necessarily type. What you are actually doing is converting the PDF to an image when you use PE.

The type is on a transparent background, correct? The type looks skinny and barely there if so.

Is there an Image menu, and if so, does it have Flatten? Use that. Now the type will be against a white background. Using Brightness & Contrast or Levels will look like it’s getting darker, but when you click OK it’s not as dark as it is in preview. One thing you can try, assuming PE has this feature, is go to Window>Layers. Your page will be named “Background” in the Layers palette that appears. Right-click on the Background layer and choose “Duplicate layer.” A new layer named “Background copy” will appear on top. The Layer palette you’re currently in will have a drop-down menu with “Normal” in the field above the layers. Change “Normal” to “Multiply.” That should do the trick.

13

You may also consider doing the same edits (Contrast/Brightness, Unsharp Mask, Sharpen Filter, etc.) in other programs. GIMP is free and can import PDF pages as layers and export them as pages. Word can import and export PDFs; even if the PDF is a set of images, Word has basic picture adjustments like Contrast/Brightness. I say all this in case you have access to these programs and have familiarity with using them, but didn’t think about the fact that they can handle PDFs.