Octavo can import both PDF and Image files as sources. To import a source, you can either drag it into the Page Strip, or choose Insert… from the Source menu.
Sources are not copied into the Octavo file; instead, they maintain references to the original source file. Therefore, if the source file is deleted, Octavo will no longer be able to find it.
Importing a PDF imports all of its pages. You can then delete pages you do not want, reorder pages, etc, from the Page Strip.
If you have a PDF that has double-page spreads embedded in it, Octavo can split them into separate pages. To do this, choose Insert -> Source…, and from within the file chooser dialog, choose the “Split Existing Spreads” option.
You can insert a blank page by going to Insert -> Blank Page.
Sometimes Octavo will insert blank pages if neccessary; for example, if you are making a booklet, then your number of pages must be a multiple of four. Octavo will insert blanks to pad to the next allowable number. These automatic blank pages will clearly be labelled “Blank page (automatic)”, and Octavo will remove them again if you change the document so that they are no longer needed.
You can insert images as sources. These behave similarly to PDF pages.
Octavo will ask you for the PDF’s password on import. You will have the option to save the password within the Octavo document; note that this will store the password in plain text.
If you don’t choose to save the password, then you’ll be prompted to enter it whenever you open the Octavo document.
If you don’t enter the password correctly, the pages will be shown with a warning triangle on. To have another go at entering the password, select a page then choose File -> Enter Password….
If your source moves on disk and Octavo can no longer find it, you can re-link it. Select a page from the missing source, and chose File -> Re-Link Source…. You can select the source file in its new location.
Choose Window -> Sources to show the Sources Panel. This lists all the sources in your document, and provides options for re-linking, entering passwords, selecting all pages etc conveniently in one place.