Page size of PDF from "stitched" photo is way too large

[rickscript]

Here's a tough one- I've been searching for an answer for this on Google and everywhere I can think of (including Adobe's site) and I can't find an answer. Here's the problem:

I scan a 2 page magazine layout on a standard flatbed scanner, using 3 scans so I can "stitch" the 3 images into the full 2 page layout (allowing for the needed "overlap") The combined image is approximately 16.5" x 11" (2 8.5 x 11 pages). When I create a PDF file from this combined image, the PDF page size (shown by hovering the mouse in the lower left corner) indicates something MUCH larger (like 65" or 70"x 40-45"!). This prevents me from making the resulting pdf page "text searchable" (since Acrobat 7 has a maximum of 45 x 45 for this function to run). It also plays havoc with the page thumbnail function as the scale is way off-if you scale the view for the double pages the single pages look microscopic and scaling for the single pages results in the doubles being grossly overmagnified.

I assume the stitching process must leave some sort of metadata buried in the file that acrobat must pick up. However, even if all 3 sans were laid, end to end, the result would only be about 25" x 11". It could also be related to the resolution I select. I hope there is some way to correct this. Any help would be very much appreciated. The pages include photos and text and my goal is to keep the photos at high quality and render the text as searchable-the file size is NOT a factor-I don't care if the files are Huge. And as far as I know there is no way to create the pdf files through acrobat (create pdf from scanner tab) and then "stitch" 2 pdf's together seamlessly (or with a very minimal seam).

 

[jmgalvin]

Have you checked the Print size in Photoshop?

You coudl also print a postscript file - setting the size - and run it through Distiller.

Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4

 

[rickscript]

jmgalvin
Thanks for your reply...I have seen your name a lot in the adobe acrobat forum so you must be very knowledgeable about this program. I have not checked the print size in photoshop (I only have the photoshop elements program, not the full-fledged photoshop and I actually prefer using Ulead Photo Impact for most tasks).
I would try the distiller approach but I don't know how to create a postscript file from a stitched photo (I use ArcSoft Panorama Maker to join the photos). Can you tell me how I go about doing this? I am familiar with much of acrobat but I don't know much about distiller and creating postscript files. It looks like you're using a Mac but you probably understand how to do it on windows also.
I guess if I had a tabloid sized scanner this would not be an issue but they are very expensive and take up a lot of room.

 

[jmgalvin]

Open the pic up in any application ans select Print. In your list of printers see if you have one nnamed Something like Adobe Postscript or Adobe Virtual printer. You should have that with Acrobat pro. If it does not show up put ion the Acrobat install disk and see if it's there. If not go to Adobe - Support - Acrobat and look for Virtual printer or virtual postscript.

If you have the virtual postscript printer, select it as the printer and hit Print. Make your Setup settings as you wish. You will be prompted for a save. Save it. It will ahve the extension .ps

Open Acrobat and go to Advanced menu and select Distiller. Under Default settings, select the quality you want, To alter any setting, go to setting menu and select Edit settings or Add settings. Save the setting and selct it in Distiller Window as Default. That will remain your default setting for all pdfs created by Acrobat until you select another one in Distiller.

Go back to Acrobat/File Menu/Create pdf/form file. Select the .ps file you saved earlier and go.

My guess is that you can avoid all this by making sure that the Print size of the original image matches the page size you want. I don;t know your other pprograms, but if you open the image in Photoshop elements, go to Image menu/Image size. Change the Document size to the inch dimensions you want and save. Document size in inches is the Print size. If your other programs give you the ability to change the print size, you can use that.

It very common for images created from multiples, to come out bigger than the print size you want. Same thing happens when you bring in images from digital cameras.

Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4