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PDF 4-in-1

Print Layout Converter for Lecture Handouts

Convert lecture slides (PDF / PPT / PPTX) into 4-slides-per-sheet A4 landscape PDF for double-sided printing. Save 75% paper.

Features

• PDF → 4-in-1 PDF: Pure Python, cross-platform (Windows / macOS / Linux)
• PPT/PPTX → 4-in-1 PDF: Windows only, requires Microsoft PowerPoint
• Z-pattern layout (top-left → top-right → bottom-left → bottom-right)
• Maintains aspect ratio with auto-centering
• Page numbers on each sheet
• Batch processing
• AI coding assistant support: includes CLAUDE.md and AGENTS.md for Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, and OpenClaw

Quick Start

Install

pip install -r requirements.txt

PDF 4-in-1

# Put PDF files in input_pdfs/ directory
python pdf_4in1.py
# Output in output_pdfs/

PPT/PPTX 4-in-1 (Windows Only)

# Put PPT/PPTX files in input_ppts/ directory
python ppt_4in1.py
# Output in output_pdfs/

⚠️ PPT conversion requires Microsoft PowerPoint installed. Do not operate PowerPoint while the script is running.

Layout

┌─────────────┬─────────────┐
│             │             │
│   Slide 1   │   Slide 2   │
│             │             │
├─────────────┼─────────────┤
│             │             │
│   Slide 3   │   Slide 4   │
│             │             │
└─────────────┴──────── 1/n ┘

• Output: A4 Landscape
• Layout: Z-pattern (left-to-right, top-to-bottom)
• Scaling: Fit to cell while maintaining aspect ratio
• Margin: 10pt (PDF) / 50px (PPT)

Requirements

Tool	Python Packages	Platform	Extra
pdf_4in1.py	pypdf, reportlab	All	None
ppt_4in1.py	pywin32, Pillow	Windows	Microsoft PowerPoint

Use Cases

• Print lecture slides for class (save 75% paper)
• Read slides on iPad/tablet without swiping through hundreds of pages
• Create handout PDFs for study notes
• Prepare exam review materials

License

MIT