PDF Password

James Suttles

Active Member
I have created a report in .pdf. I went to insert my seal into the pdf, and the pdf is locked from editing by default. That is a great idea, but if you need to add a seal or certificate, you have to know the password that is on the document. I did not create a password when I created the .pdf from the LS. So is there a default password, or a way to change that .pdf to be able to edit it.

I have attached a screenshot showing the options on and restrictions on the document.

Thx
Passwd Report.jpg
 

Steve Douty

Well-Known Member
I have not tried this with a JAVAD file however. Normaly when I have issues with a protected pdf file I print the file as a pdf file. The new pdf file (with new name) is not protected, and you can edit it as you would any other "safe" pdf file. Sometime I can get the same results if I save the protected file as another name. This happens to me with goverment type files that require a digital signature (FEMA).
 

James Suttles

Active Member
Saving the file, did not work. I printed it using the Microsoft to PDF printer that is installed with windows, and it makes a PDF you can edit. Good job. It would still be nice to know if there is a password that would eliminate that step.
 

James Suttles

Active Member
Update. doing the file that way, causes it grow about 5 times. The file I was using is a 6.8mb pdf, after printing it that way, its now a 28.9mb file. So, any other suggestions will be welcomed.
 

David M. Simolo

Well-Known Member
You may be able to select a lower resolution when you use that Microsoft to PDF printer (I am not specifically familiar with this program). That should produce a smaller file size.
 

James Suttles

Active Member
I compressed the newly made pdf, but the images on the screenshot, has some resolution, difference. It is a little grainy. Would be better if we could just add the seal and certification to the original report created from the LS.
 

James Suttles

Active Member
I did not pick a password when I exported it. It comes in with a set a variables that protect it automatically. I was wondering if we know what the default password would be, I think the password that gets set, if you decide to is only for the initial opening of the file. The security of the pdf seems to be hardwired somewhere else.
 

James Suttles

Active Member
Any insight where that would be located. This is the only screen I see where a password is offered. If you click the password button, it simply wants you to enter the password.

00868_Export_PDF_Report_20180526-17.11.16.png
 

James Suttles

Active Member
When you click the button, it brings up the keyboard to enter what you want it to be. I will try setting a password and see if that allows the edit.
 

James Suttles

Active Member
Adding the password, forced the password to be entered, before the document can be opened. It doesn't change the permissions of the document. Without the permissions password, the document cannot be altered or have any items added to it.

Looks like converting to another format is currently the only way to add the seal and certification to the report.
 

Vladimir Prasolov

Well-Known Member
JAVAD GNSS
Adding the password, forced the password to be entered, before the document can be opened. It doesn't change the permissions of the document. Without the permissions password, the document cannot be altered or have any items added to it.

Looks like converting to another format is currently the only way to add the seal and certification to the report.

Hi James,

We are discussing now, what is best solution to preserve authenticity of published PDF-report by Triumph-LS. Current solution to protect "Modify Document" permission with unique random password is not convenient for user. It requires additional step to make writable PDF. It could be just printing to any PDF-printer (I'm using free Bullzip PDF Printer and numerous other, that came with PDF software). Or it could be just opening document with "Google Chrome" and saved as PDF. Transformed document has all permissions allowed. Finally we have two documents, original one and modified one, that could be signed by user.

In future we could resolve that inconvenience in two ways:

1. By allowing "Modify Document" permission with user password. In that case it is impossible to trace authenticity to our software/hardware. Only user can add authenticity by digital signature.

2. By signing generated PDF-report with our company signature. In that case we preserve authenticity and any PDF document modification could be easily detected. So both files original and user-signed have distinct authenticity.

Could you help us to make best decision please. We want to know what is common legal practice in this area among land surveyors.
 

Adam

Well-Known Member
5PLS
Hey, Vladimir. We are required to sign and seal any document that leaves our office. We many times would need to put a certificate on the document that states what we've done etc etc. I think we should be able to add these in from JField. Really what we need is to be able to place the certificate text and an image of our seal. I think this should all be done from JField. Our licensing board requires either a real signature or a third party verified signature. I think Doug uses DocuSign. The end goal is to be able to use our PDF as our surveyors report and give it to the client signed and sealed. I have been doing this for a while by entering the certificate text into project notes then printing, signing, sealing and scanning back in.
 

Jim Frame

Well-Known Member
In my opinion, ensuring that the generated report is the unaltered product of Javad hardware and software confers no benefit. The Javad system has no way of knowing the conditions and procedures that were employed during data collection, so there is no certifiable link between the named station and its position as reported by DPOS. Further -- at least in the U.S. -- it is the responsibility of the individual licensed land surveyor to know the methods and procedures used in determining station positions, and only his certification carries any authority. Given the hassles imposed on the user by efforts to protect the DPOS report and the workarounds to any document protection already available, my preference is for a completely unprotected PDF report.
 

James Suttles

Active Member
If the certification and the image file for the seal can be stored and compiled in Jfield's pdf, then that would simplify the process and allow integrity of the document. It is critical that the document Allow a 3rd party digital signature, such as Docusign, in order to meet many the State Board requirements.

The protection of the document, may work in most cases, but without our certification, seal and a digitally signed signature, its really only good for internal use. The report needs to have our certifications, digital signatures and seals, or t may as well be a preliminary document, not for publication.
 
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