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PDF Link Styles

Posted: 2011-10-26 00:29:10
by Groucho
When a document with a TOC or Cross-Reference is converted to Pdf, all internal links are converted into a freshly created character style, called PDF Link - TOC or PDF Link Cross-Reference. This style appears only after the document is converted. As it is, this is the way to customize a PDF Link style:

1. Export the document to pdf.
2. Open the Style Sheet and customize the PDF Link style.
3. Export the document again and overwrite the older one.

All this to say that NWP should create a PDF Link style before, not after, the document is exported.
Also, I noticed that changes in the style are not reflected in the rtf, but only in the pdf. For example, if I set font color to red bold italics, the link will stay plain black in the rtf, though correctly showing red bold italics in the pdf.

Greetings, Henry.

Re: PDF Link Styles

Posted: 2011-10-26 12:08:46
by martin
Groucho wrote:All this to say that NWP should create a PDF Link style before, not after, the document is exported.
The idea behind that decision was to prevent styles from cluttering documents that didn't actually need them. For example, one might use a TOC in a document, but never export a PDF. But perhaps you're right and we should add the styles immediately so they can be customized more easily.
Also, I noticed that changes in the style are not reflected in the rtf, but only in the pdf. For example, if I set font color to red bold italics, the link will stay plain black in the rtf, though correctly showing red bold italics in the pdf.
This is intentional: the special PDF styles are only consulted/enforced when generating a PDF. It doesn't make too much sense to show special coloring/etc for links when making a hardcopy/printout.

Re: PDF Link Styles

Posted: 2011-10-27 04:23:30
by Groucho
Alright, I see, thanks.

Also I noticed that creating a PDF Link style in Normal, or in any other template, or in a new document, this will override the default style NWP creates when a document is exported to pdf. No clutter. The style appears only where needed. Am I right?

Henry.

Re: PDF Link Styles

Posted: 2011-10-27 09:08:50
by martin
That's right Henry. When NWP needs one of these special styles it looks in a few places, in the following order:

1. Check the current document's stylesheet for a properly named style. If it exists, use it.
2. Check the Nisus New File for a properly named style. If it exists, copy it into the current document and use the copy.
3. Otherwise, create a default style of the proper name in the current document and use that.

Re: PDF Link Styles

Posted: 2012-02-20 11:59:41
by stevenrowat
Hi,
Groucho wrote:Alright, I see, thanks.

Also I noticed that creating a PDF Link style in Normal, or in any other template, or in a new document, this will override the default style NWP creates when a document is exported to pdf. No clutter. The style appears only where needed. Am I right?

Henry.
I just spent an hour figuring out that "PDF Link" existed as a Style and was the reason why my Cross-References turned blue in the PDF document. I had to get online and to this forum page before I found out.

Please Nisus, note the following:
1. The term "PDF Link" does not appear in your manual (at least, Adobe returns a 'not found' for it).
2. There is no explanation of how it works, or that it exists, in the Cross-reference section.
3. The control of Hyperlink's style, while analogous, doesn't help if you don't know that PDF Link exists.
4. PDF Link Cross-Reference exists in the Style list after export, but is not highlighted in the Nisus document even when selecting cross-referenced text, so attention is not drawn to its existence that way.

Suggestion: Get this whole issue of the PDF Link control of PDF styles into the Manual (where, IMO, it belongs).

Steven

Re: PDF Link Styles

Posted: 2012-02-20 16:04:40
by martin
You're very right Steven, these PDF styles should be documented in the user guide. I'll file an issue about it, thanks!

Re: PDF Link Styles

Posted: 2015-10-19 11:51:25
by Sventypo
I would just like to back Stevens comment that is almost four years old but unfortunately still actual. I had exactly the same problem and it took me well more than an hour to find this thread and fix the issue.

Best wishes,
Sven