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Hi Martin, When pdftex includes an invalid pdf file, it ends up in some ** waiting for input mode; this is probably a result from the fact that the xpdf error is not passed on to tex's own error handler. This also means that batchmode fails. I think that in the case of a problematic pdf file inclusion, a null object should be generated (or an xform with zero dimensions, or a zero last object pointer so that we can catch such errors) instead of entering some undefined state resulting in (1) infinite waiting in vatch mode and (2) an errorous file. Another improvement could be to let pdftex remove its own output file when it is invalid (no xref table). (or produce some simple empty file) Hans ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hans Hagen | PRAGMA ADE | pragma@wxs.nl Ridderstraat 27 | 8061 GH Hasselt | The Netherlands tel: +31 (0)38 477 53 69 | fax: +31 (0)38 477 53 74 | www.pragma-ade.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------- information: http://www.pragma-ade.com/roadmap.pdf documentation: http://www.pragma-ade.com/showcase.pdf -------------------------------------------------------------------------