PDF Question

[ukdane]

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?

[shane05]

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'.

[johnnystress]

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/

[ukdane]

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.

[Wils]

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.

[WoD]

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.

[ukdane]

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

[johnnystress]

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: http://www.primopdf.com/" target="_blank">Create free PDFs

[petemaskreplica]

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/" target="_blank">http://www.cutepdf.com/

[Banners]

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@

[ukdane]

Thanks guys. Huge help. Wils for now, I'll go for either primopdf or cutepdf (more likely).

Cheers

[Wake]

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

[johnnystress]

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)?

[Bolt-01]

Oooh, I'd like to know that too!

I have Illustrator 10 and Photoshop Elements 2, but I'm still learning.

Bolt-01

[Banners]

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@