Anyone know how to make PDFs?
Do I need a specific program from Adobe?
Are there any FREE programs available that do the same job?
I think most platforms come with Acrobat reader, so you can read PDF's. I believe you can make them with this program also. Some programs, like photoshop, have PDF making shortcuts. You can also use the 'print' feature, and instead of printing to your printer select 'print to file'.
You can download the reader for free here;
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
Also- you might give this a go
http://www.pdf995.com/
and this
http://www.primopdf.com/
I need to know for a document that I have created in word, that I want to put up on a website so that people can download/view it/print it... but NOT edit it. I think PDF is the way yo go.
Unfortunately, you can only *view* PDFs with Acrobat Reader. The way that I make them (on a regular basis at work) is to create a postscript file out of what I want by printing to file(usually from Quark), then converting it to a PDF using Acrobat Distiller. I think Distiller also works with EPS files as well.
I may have something at home that I can send you, so I'll have a look tonight. If you need something PDFing sharpish, let me know and I can do it for you now.
I think that Photoshop LE can save as a PDF, so you could screenprint and then edit and save in this format - that's if you've got Photoshop LE.
I don't photoshop (I'm a Paint Shop Pro'er).
Wils: can you let me know when you get home what you have via email- no immediate rush.
Cheers
I just installed this myself- and it works a treat!
http://www.primopdf.com/
not a huge download and easy to follow instructions
I did a test - a Word document-and you can choose to save it for screenor print- and the text isnt edit-able in the screen version
Also tried a flash file and a Pshop file- no problems
Very handy I think
Link: Create free PDFs
I use a nice little thing pvs drew to my attention called Cute PDF. It installs as a kind of virtual printer, you can produce a pdf from any programme that can print, basically.
Link: http://www.cutepdf.com/
The free ones are fine for the basic conversion.
However, if you want to add fields, workflow and advanced security and annotations etc., you'll need Acrobat Professional. I use version 6.0 myself.
M@
Thanks guys. Huge help. Wils for now, I'll go for either primopdf or cutepdf (more likely).
Cheers
I pdf documents every day as part of my real job. I used to use pdf995 which flicks up adverts after each creation, but now I use a licenced version of Adobe which imports the pdf into Acrobat after each creation (despite me trying to prevent this) so it's just about as annoying as the pdf995 nags.
Wake
The one I got (primopdf)doesn't do the ad thing- apparently
For someone who doesnt have Quark( e.g. me) how do you make a pdf of a number of images/pages (e.g a multi-page comic strip)?
Oooh, I'd like to know that too!
I have Illustrator 10 and Photoshop Elements 2, but I'm still learning.
Bolt-01
how do you make a pdf of a number of images/pages (e.g a multi-page comic strip)?
I'm not sure you can. Acrobat effectively acts as a printer, but writes to a file rather than sending it to paper. So, you need your artwork to be on multiple pages, as if you were really printing each of them. Photoshop and Illustrator just use the one window though.
Anyway Jonny - I owe you a favour, so if you want to send me some stuff and have me create a pdf for you, let me know.
M@
Thanks for the offer Matthew! Might have to get back to you on this.
Are you saying only Quark will allow me to make a PDF like this?
I can picture doing it in Word- because its multi-page- but the pics might get distorted?
Link: Example
I can picture doing it in Word- because its multi-page- but the pics might get distorted?
Sure, Word will 'print' a multi-page PDF, only you won't have as much control over the design and layout as in a DTP package, or for the lettering.
It doesn't have to be Quark. I use InDesign, although that's pricey too. Can you get hold of -cough- MS Publisher? Or, I think there are plenty of free versions of Serif PagePlus on the web, which should do the basics.
M@
ooh-ooh- just tried it using Word and it seems grand! I just Inserted a bunch of random pics over 3 pages and the pdf came out fine!
Take THAT Quark Xpress!
Ah- i see you what you mean- a real pain in the arse layout wise- I didnt think of that as I had 1 comic page per page in mind
whats MSpublisher?Is it like MSPaint in its "its a piece of antiquated shit- but it works"?
now I use a licenced version of Adobe which imports the pdf into Acrobat after each creation.
Turn off the option "View Adobe PDF Results" in the Print Properties - it's on the "Adobe PDF Settings" tab.
whats MSpublisher?Is it like MSPaint in its "its a piece of antiquated shit- but it works"?
It's fairly capable, but just not as powerful as Quark or InDesign. But I imagine it'd be fine for this.
Depending on which version of Office you have, you may find you have it already...?
M@
Cutepdf did exactly what I needed it to do. So thanks once more to the messageboard massive.
I have a question about PDF's.
Can I change PDF's into something less crap.
Also question mark.
Can I change PDF's into something less crap?
Is that a genuine question?
You can make minor edits, change page order, export the images and text etc., at least with the Pro version. And you can import pdfs into professional pre-press equipment where the print output can be touched up and altered, but you can't simply convert a pdf.
What would you convert a pdf into anyway? And what is better than a pdf for maintaining the design integrity of your documents?
M@
Turn off the option "View Adobe PDF Results" in the Print Properties - it's on the "Adobe PDF Settings" tab.
I tried this (having already discovered the option) but my computer ignores it and view the pdf anyway.
Cheers,
Wake
"What would you convert a pdf into anyway? And what is better than a pdf for maintaining the design integrity of your documents?"
All I want to do is read files which just happen to be in pdf format. I'm not familiar with acrobat and other pdf related programs so I try and avoid them where possible.
I know pdf's are good for designing documents for the web etc. but thats not something I do very often.
I'm kind of biased because a lot of the software manuals I get tend to be in pdf format and reading them that way can be a bit of a pain on slower computers (such as like what my one is).
JK.
"And what is better than a pdf for maintaining the design integrity of your documents?"
Jesus?
All I want to do is read files which just happen to be in pdf format.Yeah, Acrobat Reader is fairly bloated now and can take an age to load - there's a host of functionality that 99% of people don't use in there. And it's gonna get worse with version 7.
However, there are a few 'lite' options mentioned at the bottom of this Register article...
M@
Link: El Reg
I now need my PDF's to be hyperlinked (I am using CUTEPDF) I need to be able to do things such as hyperlink the index page. Can this be done with CUTEPDF, or do I need the Acrobat Prof.?
And, whilst I have your attention, is it possible a) to rotate some of the pages so that they are in landscape, whilst others remain in portrait,
and b) ensure that the pdf is always viewed in fullscreen (without the user having to do it themselves)?
Thanks for your help.
I don't know CutePDF at all, but what you're on about can be done in Acrobat (i'm on 6 Pro here). Although, what do you mean by "hyperlink the index page"?
Rotate pages? Go to the Pages tabbed window down the left, right-click on the page(s) you want, and set rotation there.
Full screen? In File>>Document Properties there's an Initial View section you can fiddle around with.
Cool.
M@
I think he means that you can click each item in the list on the index page- and you'll jump to that page
and er...
over to you
Advanced Editing toolbar - Link Tool. Drag a box around the text and set the parameters. Next!
If it's not like 100 pages, send it over with some instructions and I'll do it for you, no worries.
M@
Yeah, what johnnystressed said.
It's 211 pages and at the moment fills about 30+MB (which I need to cut down)
It also has a horible banner advert, which I'd rather change to the company logo.
Maybe I should just buy the full edition of CUTEFTP (it's only $50) and charge the company for it ;-)
Or employ me and charge the company for it ;-)
And be careful mixing portrait and landscape pages - they're problematic when it comes to printing.
M@