Fetching and uploading PDFs
In short: Each publication shows one PDF action. View PDF means SciNodes holds a copy. Fetch PDF means an open-access copy can be found; click it and SciNodes fetches it in the background. Upload PDF means there's no copy to fetch, so add your own (PDF only, up to 64 MB). Fetched copies are shared open-access files; your uploads stay private to you.
Which button you see
| Button | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| View PDF | A copy is stored: a shared open-access copy, or your own upload | Click to read it. See PDF viewer. |
| Fetch PDF | SciNodes can look for an open-access copy | Click to fetch it |
| Fetching… | A fetch is running | Keep working. You'll be told when it ends. |
| Upload PDF | No copy is stored and none can be fetched | Upload your own copy |
You find these buttons in the publication's details in the Library, in its ⋯ menu, in a publication window on a map, and on the publication's row in a chat's About panel.
Fetch an open-access PDF
- In the Library, click a publication to open its details.
- Click Fetch PDF ("Fetch the open-access PDF for this publication"). You can also use the ⋯ menu → Fetch PDF.
- The button changes to Fetching…. You can keep working or leave the page; the fetch keeps running.
- When it succeeds, you see "PDF fetched." and the button becomes View PDF.
If the fetch fails, a notification says "PDF unavailable — We couldn't retrieve the PDF for "title". You can upload your own copy." The button changes to Upload PDF.
SciNodes fetches a PDF only when you click Fetch PDF. A fetch may use some of your weekly credits; it's listed as "PDF locating" on the Usage limits page.
Upload your own PDF
- In the Library, click a publication to open its details.
- Click Upload PDF. If the button says Fetch PDF, click the arrow next to it (More PDF options) and choose Upload PDF. You can also use the ⋯ menu → Upload PDF.
- Choose a PDF file on your computer.
- When it's stored, you see "PDF uploaded." and the button becomes View PDF.
Replace or remove a PDF
- Replace: open the publication's ⋯ menu → Replace PDF and choose a new file. The new file becomes your copy.
- Remove your upload: open the ⋯ menu → Remove PDF, then click Remove in the "Remove your uploaded PDF?" dialog. This option appears only for your own uploads.
Removing your upload doesn't affect the publication, and you can upload again at any time. If a shared copy of the publication exists, it stays available.
Shared copies and private uploads
| Copy | Who can read it |
|---|---|
| Fetched by SciNodes | Everyone who has the publication. These are open-access files, stored once and shared. |
| Uploaded by you | Only you. Collaborators on your project don't see your upload, and only your chats read it. |
Limits
| Limit | Value |
|---|---|
| File type | PDF only |
| File size | 64 MB |
By default, fetching or uploading a PDF also files the publication in My references. You can change this under User Preferences. See Folders.
Troubleshooting
- "That file is not a PDF." Choose a file ending in .pdf.
- "That file is empty." The file has no content. Check the file and try again.
- "That PDF is too large to store." The file is over 64 MB. Use a smaller version, for example one without embedded images.
- "That file is not a valid PDF." The file isn't a real PDF, even if it ends in .pdf. Save or export it as PDF again.
- "The upload did not complete cleanly. Please try again." Upload the file again.
- "The PDF upload failed. Please try again." Upload the file again. If it keeps failing, contact Support.
- "This publication's PDF can't be fetched. You can upload your own copy." No open-access copy is available. Upload your own.
- "A PDF is already available for this publication." A copy arrived in the meantime. The button now says View PDF.
- "Could not start the PDF fetch. Please try again." Click Fetch PDF again.
- "PDF fetching is not available on this server." or "PDF storage is not available on this server." The service is temporarily unavailable. Try again later.
FAQ
Does SciNodes fetch PDFs automatically?
No. It fetches a PDF only when you click Fetch PDF for that publication.
Can my collaborators read the PDF I uploaded?
No. Your uploads are private to you. Collaborators can fetch an open-access copy or upload their own.
What happens if a fetch fails?
You get a "PDF unavailable" notification and the button changes to Upload PDF. Upload your own copy to read and annotate the full text.
Does a PDF help the research assistant?
Yes. With a PDF stored, the assistant reads the full text instead of only the abstract. See Attachments and what the assistant sees.