How to redact and flatten PDF files - two tutorials

Here's a short tutorial showing how to redact PDF files using the highlighter funtion in Okular. As one might say, hiding in plain sight.

https://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/okular-redact-pdf-files.html

Here's the second piece of the puzzle - a guide showing how to flatten redacted PDF files using Ghostscript and optionally ImageMagick and pdf2ps/ps2pdf utilities. Have fun.

https://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/pdf-document-flatten.html


Cheers,
Mrk

 

You can do this in Libreoffice Draw. It's easier for me, but is it just as good?

Reading your article got me thinking about do you flatten a pdf containing a signature image. How do you?

EDIT. I tried using Redact without redacting anything. Yes, it flattens the pdf but if somebody uses Draw they can grab images. The only way I can see using Draw is to use a password to stop permission changes. Even if somebody has Draw they can't access the file to change it. All pdf readers can open the file. Master PDF Editor couldn't change it.

EDIT2. It gets better. Used Master PDF Editor 4.2 to save denying permissions. Draw opened it and allowed me to modify.

 

I also use Draw to do similar things, but the flattening part helps regardless of the program use.
Mrk

 

Nice now I can edit my taxes and lie for various stuff, thanks Mrkvonic! Jk this seems useful

Oh wait its for linux lol

Is there windows version? I dislike linux and dont use it

 

I'm glad you noted flattening as it was new to me. What puts me off GS is having to use the command-line - I'm getting old and prefer a giu.

 

Learned something new here. I've been using Okular for ages. Never thought about this before. Awesome stuff!

 

That could be a fun thing to do, make a gui for your favourite commandline tool, give it a shot