18 
Embed (attach) files in PDF
A PDF file can serve as a container for other file. The embedded
(attached) files can be of any type: various source files (e.g.
spreadsheet), configuration files or PDFs (e.g. a purchase order
or a feedback form). A PDF file can serve
as a secure delivery medium, where some components optionally
require a password before they can be opened. Links/bookmarks
in the container PDF can open embedded PDFs at the specified
destination or page number, in a new window or in the same window.
In online PDFs of software documentation, it may be beneficial
for end users to be able to copy the text out of the PDF and
paste it in their software applications. But the different text
selection tools in Acrobat/Reader produce different variations
with respect to white space characters, line breaks or special
characters. However you do this (even if you create a Tagged
PDF), there is no guarantee that the text extracted from Acrobat/Reader
will be identical to the text that you see in the PDF (or originally
placed in FrameMaker). Acrobat has its own interpretation as
to what the text is, even if there are no problems related to
font encoding/deformation. If the text is split between pages,
running header/footer text will be copied as well.
Therefore, adding the code fragments to the document is not
enough, as the text copied and pasted is not necessarily identical
to the original. But if you embed the code fragments as files
in the PDF, users with Acrobat/Reader 6 or higher will be able
to open such embedded files or save them to the disk.
When using FrameMaker, file embedding can be automated with
TimeSavers + custom ~CommentEmbed
and ~DocEmbed
shortcuts; the FrameMaker file includes hypertext markers directing
Distiller to embed the files and specify properties such as the
icon type and color (i.e. "define once in the FM file, distill
many", without post-distilling operations).
Examples:
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