Unable to flatten the pdf layers : aspose java

Aspose.PDF Product Family
1

I’m trying to flatten the layers inside the pdf and i have tried below 2 solutions - nothing helped here.
Please help me to find the way to flatten all the layers inside PDF

//Solution 1:
com.aspose.pdf.facades.Form pdfForm = new com.aspose.pdf.facades.Form();
outPutBufferedWriter.write(“Before Flatten>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>strFileNamePDF:”+strFileNamePDF+“\n”);
pdfForm.bindPdf(strPath+“//”+strFileNamePDF);
outPutBufferedWriter.write(“Before Flatten>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>”+“\n”);
pdfForm.flattenAllFields();

		pdfForm.save(strPath+"/"+"test.pdf");
		pdfForm.close();
		
		//Solution 2:
		outPutBufferedWriter.write("Solution 2>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>"+"\n");
		com.aspose.pdf.Document pdfDocument = new com.aspose.pdf.Document(strPath+"//"+strFileNamePDF);
		outPutBufferedWriter.write("pdfDocument>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>"+pdfDocument+"\n");
		pdfDocument.flatten();
		outPutBufferedWriter.write("Before saving>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>"+"\n");
		pdfDocument.save(strPath+"//"+"test1.pdf");
		outPutBufferedWriter.write("After saving>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>"+"\n");
		pdfDocument.close();
2

@Prashanthabmkdzz

To flatten all layers in a PDF using Aspose.PDF for Java, you can use the flattenAllFields method from the Form class or the flatten method from the Document class. It seems you have already tried both methods, but let’s ensure everything is set up correctly.

Here’s a complete example using the Form class to flatten all fields in an existing PDF:

import com.aspose.pdf.facades.Form;

public class FlattenPDF {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Create a Form object
        Form pdfForm = new Form();
        
        // Bind the source PDF file
        pdfForm.bindPdf("path/to/your/input.pdf");
        
        // Flatten all fields in the PDF
        pdfForm.flattenAllFields();
        
        // Save the output PDF
        pdfForm.save("path/to/your/output.pdf");
        
        // Close the Form object
        pdfForm.close();
    }
}

Alternatively, if you want to use the Document class, you can do it like this:

import com.aspose.pdf.Document;

public class FlattenPDF {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Load the PDF document
        Document pdfDocument = new Document("path/to/your/input.pdf");
        
        // Flatten the document
        pdfDocument.flatten();
        
        // Save the output PDF
        pdfDocument.save("path/to/your/output.pdf");
        
        // Close the document
        pdfDocument.close();
    }
}

Make sure that the input PDF file path is correct and that the PDF does indeed contain layers or fields that can be flattened. If the PDF is already flattened or does not contain any interactive fields, the flattening process may not have any visible effect.

If you continue to experience issues, please check the following:

  • Ensure that the Aspose.PDF library is correctly referenced in your project.
  • Verify that the input PDF file is not corrupted and contains layers or fields that can be flattened.

If you still face difficulties, consider sharing the specific error messages or behaviors you encounter for further assistance.

3

Hi @Professionalize.Discourse - Thanks for looking into this and providing your valuable feedback/suggestions.

Yes - I was using these methods in the same way you’re telling. But Once we flatten the pdf, we shouldn’t see the below options right? that’s where I’m getting confused. Flatten will remove these layers and keep the content static? Am i assuming correctly or not?

please refer the below image as i cannot share the pdf which I’m working on as its specific to client.

You can share some test examples of PDF before flatten or after flatten - would be helpful

image.png (11.8 KB)

4

@Prashanthabmkdzz

Would you please share your sample PDF document for our reference so that we can test the scenario in our environment and address it accordingly?