ACI PDF Converter and NCV

[jdbiggers]

For several months, lenders who have been improperly having the PDF converted by a tool I am told is created by ACI to create the XML rather than using the XML that was created by NCV have been being rejected by this converter. These lenders have been told that NCV's PDF is not compatible and that they should tell the appraisers NOT to use NCVForms as their appraisal software and that they will not accept such reports.

So, we did a test on a file that was not accepted by this converter TWICE. Simply changed the producer name (was NCVSoftware, changed to something else) in the PDF and change the software company name (also NCV and changed to something else) that appeared on the bottom of each page and, lo and behold, it passed just fine.

What could possible be in the words "NCV Software" that could cause the converter to fail?

Hmmm. I am very curious about this and hoping someone at ACI can explain this to me and the appraisers who have been told their lenders will not accept PDFs from NCVForms. If there is something I must do, I would be happy to do it, but his seems more like something else to me given the test run.

By the way, per Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the PDF converter service is ONLY to be used in cases where the software provider did not provide an XML, which is NOT the case here. Regardless of the fact that the properly formatted XML is already created, these lenders are having the XML recreated by a converter service using the PDF. Makes no sense, and is a practice FNMA has been trying to get lenders to change.

John-David Biggers
NCVSoftware

 

[Tejus]

All the appraisal report pdf converters / scanners / validation tools are unreliable. They may reject valid pdf files and should not be used as a pass/fail test.

The pdf converters are reverse engineered by obtaining copies of sample pdf files, looking at the contents and building a parser for this format. The pdf file format may vary depending on the application used to create the pdf file and the pdf writer used to write the file. The pdf converters only support the source / pdf writer combinations included by the pdf converter developers. All other combinations of source / pdf writer may fail, even if the pdf file is valid.

The pdf converters / scanners / validation tools are unreliable and should not be relied upon by anyone.

 

[jdbiggers]

All the appraisal report pdf converters / scanners / validation tools are unreliable. They may reject valid pdf files and should not be used as a pass/fail test.

The pdf converters are reverse engineered by obtaining copies of sample pdf files, looking at the contents and building a parser for this format. The pdf file format may vary depending on the application used to create the pdf file and the pdf writer used to write the file. The pdf converters only support the source / pdf writer combinations included by the pdf converter developers. All other combinations of source / pdf writer may fail, even if the pdf file is valid.

The pdf converters / scanners / validation tools are unreliable and should not be relied upon by anyone.

You missed the point. We sent the lender the SAME PDF file created in the SAME software (mine) but anywhere the words "NCVSoftware" or "NCVForms" appeared was changed to something else and it then passed fine. Also, in places where these things appear is NOT in any field on the form that must be scanned. So, the PDF converter appears to work fine (who really knows since only they see it and it isn't compared with the original XML) as long as the converter tool cannot see that it came form my software.

JD
NCVSoftware

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

This is something that has been done for years by AMCs wishing appraisers to use their "preferred software" and the tools they have used to convert appraisals to ACI format for their QC checks and reviews. It has been the source of great debate and arguments on this forum for years. It drew my attention when a lender asked me to send them a signed appraisal report because their copy was not signed. I found this hard to believe because I had delivered a locked pdf to the AMC. Thye sent me a copy that had no signatures and the ACI logo at the bottom of each page which made it appear that I use ACI software which I do not or ever will just because of this issue.

 

[CigarDad]

Sounds like a Software Conspiracy to me. The BIG players trying to lock out the new kid on the block.

I know it's costing you market share. I referred another appraiser to NCV last week, they are fed up with ACI daily crashes, and they read not to use NCV as the software was not compliant.

 

[Tejus]

You missed the point. We sent the lender the SAME PDF file created in the SAME software (mine) but anywhere the words "NCVSoftware" or "NCVForms" appeared was changed to something else and it then passed fine. Also, in places where these things appear is NOT in any field on the form that must be scanned. So, the PDF converter appears to work fine (who really knows since only they see it and it isn't compared with the original XML) as long as the converter tool cannot see that it came form my software.

The point is the pdf converters are unreliable and should not be used as a pass/fail acceptance test. Your issue is an example of a specific pdf converter failure on a valid pdf file. I've already documented others. Does not matter whether the failure was a bug in the pdf converter, incomplete pdf converter algorithm or a conscious decision by the pdf converter author to exclude certain files. The net result is the pdf converter fails on a valid pdf file.

Sounds like a Software Conspiracy to me. The BIG players trying to lock out the new kid on the block.

I know it's costing you market share. I referred another appraiser to NCV last week, they are fed up with ACI daily crashes, and they read not to use NCV as the software was not compliant.

This is another example of the "privileged vendors" mentality which exists in this industry. I've already documented similar circumstances with the UCDP.

As long as you are on the privileged vendor list and receive the benefits, then life is good and you try to keep everyone else out.

If you are not on the privileged vendor list, then you have to work harder/smarter and fight to obtain a level playing field for all the vendors.

Welcome to the other side of the (non-existent, according to certain people) fence.

 

[JSmith43]

It smells like the fog of war

Maybe Apple Computer will make an offer for NCV software & direct their legal department to get to the bottom of this

In the mean time, why not make the NCV Software print areas user selectable for certain clients? If they change their software (allegedly) in order to again discredit NCV Software produced reports, the case may be simple enough for the average jury to find in favor of damages, enhanced due to the malice.