use "not" to a group action

[dna100@012.net.il]

Hi
I have a group of actions, and I want to give them the command: not, so that it only applies to everything except a single page. It should be noted that I know how to do it command by command, but I was unable to do it for the entire group at once.

[loicaigon]

- Select all pages (all pages)
- Select page range x (the page x)
- NOT (anything but the page x)
- AND (anything but the page x that is also a page from all pages)
- Do someting (with all pages but page x)

Could that help?

[dna100@012.net.il]

i need that the "page range", works on the all group.
attached file.

[loicaigon]

Ok, let's restate an important thing here. Anything you do in PitStop is always dependant on a selection.
No selection, nothing happens.

That being said, when you select a page, then only if there is a page below actions will operate.
In your case, that might be the case unless the group internally makes a new selection:

Ex:
- Select pages 1
- Group
- Select all
- Convert color => Gray

That would make all pages Gray because of the Select all inside the Group

But

- Select pages 1
- Group
- Convert color => Gray

Will only convert the page 1 to Gray

So as long as the selection is coherent and valid, all underlaying actions will relate to that selection.

[dna100@012.net.il]

I still don't understand, could you please send me a simple action that can work on an entire group?
Without entering the whole group.

[dna100@012.net.il]

attached.

[loicaigon]

Your problem is the use of "Select All"

"Select all" selects EVERYTHING, not just pages, but the document itself, all pages and the page contents.

So when you do
Select all
Select page range 1
NOT
AND

The AND associates the the NOT page 1 (so in extenso, everything) and the selection resulting from "Select all"
Your problem then is that the resulting selection is a mix of things where Actions in your group might not apply properly.

You may want to restrict your selection to only pages:
Select all pages
Select page range 1
NOT
AND

Then you only have a resulting selection of pages and pages only.

Now PitStop is trying to apply whatever is on the group after that can apply to your page selection.

BUT note that you are using "Select all" again in your group. That's where you "cancel" the initial page selection.
You are basically asking PitStop to ignore the page selection and consider everything again.

Just don't use "Select all" to keep your page selection alive.

PS: You are also using NOT again later that is also going to select anything but the objects.
Be cautious with your selections and I would encourage you to have groups per intentions.
That way you can more easily manage what applies to what.

With that in mind you should be ok.

[dna100@012.net.il]

Thank you very much,
I understand the principle.
The problem is, I have no control over the not because it is a sequence of recorded actions.
I will explain to you what my goal is: I have a book with 100 pages, only a small part of which I want to keep colored, so I want to define the pages that I do not want the action to apply to and remain colored. Do you have an idea/solution? So that each time I only have to change one command (of the page settings) and not start going in and changing in different places?

[dna100@012.net.il]

(and clean up black first)

[loicaigon]

Ok, I understand now better the construction of the group itself

Have a look at this:


if the "color" pages will vary, the best option is to use Smart Variables in the select pages by range Action.
Then anytime you run the Action, PitStop will ask you to set the Range. You won't need to change Action itself.

Loic

[JimmyHartington]

Or use the page range in the Action Lists panel, when running the action.
Then the action can just use select all.

Acrobat-New Document1-2025-07-11 at 17.02.50.png (149.22 KiB) Viewed 137 times

[loicaigon]

of course Jimmy,

Very obvious approach

[dna100@012.net.il]

loicaigon
thnank you, but i didnt sucssess.
I would be very grateful if you could send me a ready action.
Thank you very much

[dna100@012.net.il]

i need:
1. clean up black
2. convert to grayscale

on some pages that i do not to change them.

[dna100@012.net.il]

hi
i used "save seletion" and "restore selection". It works!