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  • PDFs that pass the Scout inspection will display a cloud with a check icon under the “Status” and can be accepted for plan review.

  • PDFs that fail the Scout inspection will display a warning icon under the “Status” and cannot be accepted for plan review. These PDFs will need to be deleted, modified, and uploaded once the issue has been resolved. Click on the icon to review the Scout results.

    • Issues that pass the inspection are identified with a (blue star) (checkmark).

    • Potential problems to be reviewed by the Applicant are identified with an '❌' and an explanation of the potential problem found will be provided.

Below is a list of commonly known issues and the expected default behavior for PDFs for Scout. If an agency modifies this default behavior, you may need to consult with the agency for further instruction.

Issue

Default Behavior

Default Result

Solution

ACCESSIBLE

Checks if the file is invalid (such as a PDF Portfolio), corrupt, or password protected.

REJECTION

Check if PDF can be opened by Adobe Reader and confirm it is not a PDF Portfolio.

If the PDF cannot be opened, create a new PDF from the source program. Remove password protection, if applicable.

FILENAME

Checks if filename contains: !*'\;, :@&=+$, , (comma), /, ?, %, #, [, ], <, >, | characters. Characters cannot be edited.

REJECTION

Remove these characters from the filename and re-upload the file.

SIZE

Documents must not exceed 400 MB (419430400 bytes).

REJECTION

Return to the source document and create PDF files that are below the file size limitation or break up PDF into smaller files.

Follow the instructions in the DOCUMENT SUBMITTAL RECOMMENDATIONS.

PAGE COUNT

Checks the PDF page count based on the configured maximum page count. The default is set to 500 pages.

REJECTION

Split large files into smaller subsets and submit files separately or the Agency can choose to increase the maximum page count.

TEXT CONTENT

Checks whether PDF text and fonts are present and legible.

N/A

Properly embed or substitute missing font. Using true type fonts is recommended.

VERSION

Checks PDF version.

If PDF version older than 1.4 is detected, the file will be rejected. (Version 1.4 was released prior to 2001.)

Warning

None required but it is recommended to update the PDF to a newer version.

PAGE ACCESS

The inspector tries to read each page in the document.

If a page is not readable, the file will be rejected.

REJECTION

Adobe Reader may report these pages as damaged or in need of repair.

Recreate the PDF from the source document using Adobe Pro or Nitro Pro.

ANNOTATION

Checks for annotations that appear in the pdf Reader ‘Comment’ panel, such as SHX Text generated by AutoCAD.

Warning

None required.

Note that SHX text annotations will be removed from pdf 'Comment' panel when printing deliverable files so they do not interfere with review comments. (No other annotations will be removed.)

METADATA

Check hidden content and unexpected metadata like embedded Flash, other PDFs, etc.

Warning

Remove hidden content by following the instructions listed in the EPR Wiki document “How To Remove Metadata from PDF”.

SIGNATURE

Checks for the presence of a digital signature in the PDF.

Warning

Validates that the signature exists but cannot confirm source authenticity.

An agency may not require a digital signature at all. If you are unsure, consult with the agency.

ATTACHMENT

Checks if any attachments exist in the PDF.

REJECTION

Recreate the PDF without any attachments or reprint PDF as new to remove attachments.

RESOLUTION

Checks pages for low resolution (in pixels) based on page dimensions.

Warning

Create a new PDF from the source.

ROTATION

Checks if a document has mixed page orientations based on the first page orientation. Scout does not look at page content so, it cannot determine if pages are upside-down, for example.

Warning

None required.

Manually checking that pages are not upside-down or sideways is recommended. Page rotation can now be corrected within EPR.

ATTACHMENTS

The “ATTACHMENTS” section is for any non-PDF files or supporting PDF material that does not need to be marked up by agency reviewers. These files are not evaluated by PDF Scout and will be accessible to reviewers via a list of viewable ATTACHMENTS.

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