Imposition pdf export

[Kurt Pfeifle]

Michael Killian wrote:
> G'day all,
>
> To introduce myself, I am Michael, and am a linux user since a year.
> Now I have one problem: there is an urge for me to use expensive
> programs like Quark, but actually only for one feature: imposition. To
> print and combine pages of a print job, so that when printed,
> (eventually cut) and folded, all the pages fall into place into a
> little booklet. I have heard there is the ability to export to pdf in
> kdeprint, and was wondering if 'booklet-imposition' is included in
> that as well, and if not, if it is possible to include it in the
> future? I have no idea how difficult it is to combine and change the
> order of pages in a pdf document, but I imagine it can't be that hard,
> as you don't have to change any content.
>
> For example: If I have a booklet of 16 (A5) pages, to print them in
> this order on A4 paper:
>
> [ 1+16]
> [ 3+14]
> [ 5+12]
> [ 7+10]
>
> and then the backside (for duplex printing in a one-side printer):
>
> [ 2+15]
> [ 4+13]
> [ 6+11]
> [ 8+  9]
>
> And maybe options for signatures (combined booklets) for book
> printing... it would sooooo cooooool!!!
>
> Anyway, hope to hear from you.
> Cheers, Michael

Hi, Michael,

for sophisticated and random impositioning, there would be a separate
application needed (but this is not in sight in KDE).

However, I think you can do what you want (pamphlet layouting and
printing) with current KDEPrint tools.

I've just not time now to write up a detailled step-by-step howto  -- 
instead I point you to a few bug reports in KDE's bugzilla (some of
which I closed some months ago after explaining to the reporters how
he could do what they needed):

   http://www.kdedevelopers.org/node/2630
   http://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=97669
   http://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=143342
   http://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=107936

Look at the "WhatsThis?"-help hints in kprinter when you opened the
"Properties" dialog for a printer. Go to the rightmost tab, called
"Filter". Select "Pamphlet Printing". You can also set the "signature".
This acts as a "pre-filter", and is applied by KDEPrint to the job
before it is going towards CUPS.
 

-- 
Kurt Pfeifle
System & Network Printing Consultant ---- Linux/Unix/Windows/Samba/CUPS
Infotec Deutschland GmbH  .....................  Hedelfinger Strasse 58
A RICOH Company  ...........................  D-70327 Stuttgart/Germany