Just about everyone who has a PC today has the capability of reading Adobe .PDF (Portable Document Files) on their PC. If not, it’s available free from www.adobe.com .
Now, the question for many might be is, how can I easily create them on my PC? Piece of cake with a free utility from www.pdf995.com . Quite simply, it installs as another printer on your PC. The best part is that it works from any application!
What does this mean to you? It means that after selecting it as your Default Printer (Start/Printers and Faxes) you right click on PDF95 – after it’s installed and any resulting print will create a .PDF file that you can then email/fax to anyone! It’s great for proposals or anything that you want to send to someone that might not have the appication that you used to ccreate it, hence the name – PDF.
As with everything, there is a catch. In this case I find the catch relatively painless. You need to be connected to the Internet when using it. Buying the complete version is relatively inexpensive. No, I don’t get a comission!
Also, using the free version there is a dialogue box that asks you where you want to save the PDF and its filename along with a pop up during the creation process and preview of the document, but you’ll get the hang of it quickly. Small price to pay for the flexibility it provides.
Now anyone with a PC can see your creations! MACs can see them too as there’s a MAC version of Adobe!
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Replies
Bob,
"PDF" stands for Portable Document Format. "Portable" in this case means a file format that can be "carried" from one computer platform to any other. Adobe's intent when they first proposed the format was that it would be a universal file format. It has become that, but not without a lot of resistance in the PC world.
PDF is a special version of Adobe's "Postscript" page description language. The Mac OS has had Postscript as an integral part since the very early days. This is a legacy of the early close association between Apple and Adobe. Postscript wasn't a part of the first Macs, but it became integral very soon after the Mac was introduced and that's what made Macs so important to the publishing industry.
Adobe Reader has been standard issue on Macs almost forever. And a very high percentage of Macs also have and use Adobe's high-end Acrobat program which is the ultimate program for creating, editing, modifying and viewing PDFs.
Easy creation and viewing of PDF files has been integral to Macs for so long, I can't remember when we didn't have it. It's still strange to read of additional utilities on PCs to give them this ability. Welcome "aboard!"
Rich
Rich,
Thanks for the history lesson. I'm well aware of Adobe PDF Files and their attributes, but I wasn't aware of the close relationship between Apple & Adobe. Thanks for sharing it. I've been on the IBM compatible side of the world since late 1967. Yeah, I'm a dinosaur!
I've been working on a book about the evolution of computers for about 5 years now. I'm calling it From Punch Cards to PCs - The Evolution.
Anyway, the real point of my post is to enlighten those less fortunate to be involved with computers and provide a simple way of creating these PDF files from virtually any application they may be using, i.e. Excel, Quickbooks, Word, virtually anything!
In this regard, this procedure provides a measure of interoperability! The recipient doesn't need to have the original application to view its output.
As an example, suppose I create all my proposals/quotes using Quickbooks. My client doesn't have QB. In that case I'd have to print it out on paper, then either fax it to him or send via snail mail.
I was especially thinking of those who might want to be able to email/fax proposals, portfolios, pictures, etc. This procedure also provides a record that can be stored on the PC for future reference, if needed.
Rich, would you care to post a tutorial as to how this can be done on the MAC for those MAC heads!
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
"would you care to post a tutorial as to how this can be done on the MAC for those MAC heads!"
Bob, It's right there in the print dialog box from any Mac application or from the OS itself. A Mac user can always select the option to optut a PDF rather than have the document print to a physical printer. In fact, the Mac's output is Postscript by default, unless otherwise selected.
Regarding the association of Apple and Adobe - it's doubtful that either one would have survived without the other. Together, they changed the universe. They were close by in Silicon Valley. John Warnock had invented the laser printer at Xerox PARC (Palo Alto Research Center) as well as the Postscript language. He was an expert in typography and computer languages and programming, but the printing industry wasn't beating a path to his startup enterprise, Adobe Systems.
Steve Jobs, along with Steve Wosniak had invented the first consumer-oriented computer that lived and breathed graphics input and output, rather than the limited text output (remember green screen 80 column displays, based on the teletype machine?) so common then. Initially, it was less capable than the Xerox Alto which Steve saw at PARC and which ignited his ideas, including use and refinement of the mouse. But the Alto never saw the (commercial) light of day (the biggest blunder Xerox ever made - read "Fumbling the Future") and the Mac was real.
The first Mac had good graphics, but atrocious typography which it output to dot matrix printers. Steve Jobs had become fascinated by typography in college as he was bouncing around trying to decide what he wanted to do with his life. It took him about a microsecond to realize that the combination of the Mac and John Warnock's laser printer and Postscript represented a more flexible and powerful graphics engine, for both typography and graphics, than the $million various, incompatible proprietary monsters that populated the printing and publishing industry.
Literally, within months, Adobe and Apple got married. Postscript became an integral part of the Mac OS and the Apple Laser Writer at $5500 was released, selling faster than Apple could make them. The Laser Writer actually was a much more powerful computer than the Mac that drove it, with pure Adobe Postscript as its OS.
Postscript went on to become the universal page description language of the graphics arts industry, and by the early 90s and since, at the core of every imagesetter in existence. The Mac has been the primary work platform of the industry.
Adobe and Apple had a falling out in the late 90s. They are both very different corporate entities than they were in the early days. It's doubtful they will ever really be close again. Until the mid 90s Adobe's revenues for all its products (Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat and Postscript itself) came almost exclusively from sales to the Mac community. That is no longer the case. In fact, only a small percent of Adobe's revenues come from Mac-oriented sales. I doubt that Adobe will ever abandon the Mac market, as some other software vendors have done, but the degree of the special relationship between the 2 companies is gone.
Of course, the direction of Apple itself is uncertain right now. It may soon control the entertainment industry to a degree beyond its previous dominance of graphic arts.
Rich
re: "In fact, the Mac's output is Postscript by default, unless otherwise selected."I believe the default output of Mac OSX is PDF, handled through the Quartz 2D system built into the OS. Quartz 2D does convert PostScript to PDF, so PostScript documents will print to non-PostScript printers and/or PDF documents.I've never tried it myself, but here is a link to a tip on filling out PDF forms using Microsoft Word on the Mac.http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20061208080313839
Thanks Greg. I'll give that look. Rich
Punchcards? I can remember when you had to cut out all them little holes with an Exacto knife! <grin>
Or was that after the '33 puncher!
A bad day woodworking is better than a good day working -- yes, I'm retired!
Too funny!
When I first started we had a programmer who convinced a secretary that she could blank out previously printed pages on the Xerox machine by placing a blank sheet of paper in the copier window and loading the feed tray with pre-written sheets.
He also convinced an operator that he could recycle punched paper tape by pasting the "dots" back into the tape!
I actually saw both of these people attempt to do it!
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Rich, I have a MacBook, with OSX10.4.8 intel core duo, and have recently tried to download a PDF from a pc, and add to it ( it was a fill-in form), and send it back, and had no luck at all. All that was recieved was blank pages. I don't remember the route I used, but I did try to save it and then send it as a email, and none of that worked. Can you tell me the proper method to do this??
Pedro
pedro,
The problem could have been with the way the PDF was made on the PC or with the program you used to read it. What program did you use? If it was Adobe Reader, did you use the llatest version?
I don't know if Reader will allow entry into a PDF with fill-in fields. Such a PDF is probably designed to be used within a Web browser.
You'll get the best answer to this question on the Adobe Acrobat forum:
http://www.adobe.com/support/forums/index.html
Rich
Edited 2/21/2007 2:38 pm ET by Rich14
I have Acrobat Professional. It has been so long since I have used Reader, I recommend you visiting the Adobe site for answers. I believe that Reader is just that — a reader only. TO fill in forms or edit PDF files, you need Acrobat Professional.To create PDF's in Mac OS X, from any document choose PRINT. In the lower left corner is a button that says "SAVE AS PDF". Click on this button and follow the prompts.
Rich,
I tried to load it into Textedit, and then I tried loading it into Word for Mac. I could fill it out in Textedit, but it wouldn't transmit (forms were blank pages when sent by email), and in word I couldn't fill it out. I can't find Adobe Reader on my computer. I will read that link.
Pedro
pedro,
Adobe Reader is a free download from Adobe. As are its frequent updates. It's a must-have. Get it!
Rich
pedro,
"Preview," a standard part of the Mac OS will also read PDF files very nicely.
Rich
Rich,
I have adobe reader, and I guess that Preview is my reader for Adobe, I will try that, thanks,
Should i then download a pdf into Preview to use it?
Pedro
Edited 2/23/2007 11:38 am by ptu
ptu,
I'm not sure exactly what you are asking.
"I guess that Preview is my reader for Adobe"
I think you're getting a little confused. I don't know what that means.
Both of the programs, "Adobe Reader" ("Reader" for short) and "Preview" can open pdf documents. Reader is obtained from the Adobe Web site. I believe you've done that. Preview is installed as part of the standard installation of the Mac operating system (OS).
On a Mac, double clicking on a document opens the document in the program that has been defined as the default for that type of document. You can set the default by "getting info" for the document - highlight it (single click), then hit Command-I, then select the program from the pull down menu in the Info window.
Of course you can open a document, after starting the appropriate program, from within that program.
Whether you choose to use "Reader" or Preview" to view PDF documents doesn't much matter, they both open and display PDFs. Preview can also open other types of documents and images which Reader doesn't recognize.
Hope this helps.
Rich
Rich,
I didn't mean to be confusing. I don't find Adobe Reader in my application folder, but I do find Preview, and I assumed that it uses Adobe. I'm not very smart about this computer.
Pedro
pedro,"I don't find Adobe Reader in my application folder""Adobe Reader" (also simply called "Reader"), is a program that reads PDF documents. As its name says, it is made by the company, Adobe, Inc.Adobe, Inc. (or simply, "Adobe") is a SOFTWARE COMPANY. Adobe makes many programs other than " Adobe Reader." Among its more famous programs are Adobe Photoshop (or just, simply, Photoshop), Adobe Illustrator (or just, simply, Illustrator), Adobe Acrobat (Acrobat) and many others.You obtain Reader by going to the Adobe Web site and downloading it to your computer. It gets installed in the Applications folder by the download utility. Once it's downloaded and installed, you can use it freely to read PDF documents. That's all it can do. That's all it is designed to do.Here's where you get Reader:http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html"Preview" is a program made by Apple, Inc. It's in your Applications folder becasue it got installed there when your Apple Macintosh Operating Sysytem was installed on your computer. It is one of the many, many programs and utilities that are parts of the operating System.Saying, "I do find Preview, and I assumed that it uses Adobe," just makes no sense. You are using the name "Adobe" in a meaningless way. As I said above, Adobe IS A SOFTWARE COMPANY. It's not a program.PREVIEW DOESN'T USE ADOBE. Preview is a utility program which can open and display MANY DIFFERENT kinds of graphic files. It is more flexible than Reader, but like Reader, it can open and display PDF documents.Since you have Preview, you have the capability to read any PDF document. You should need nothing else. But some people like to have several programs of similar capability in case they run into a problem with one. Then the other may be able to accomplish what the first couldn't. You can supplement the PDF-reading capability of Preview by downloading Reader. It's your choice.Please read through all this slowly, several times. It's very simple and straightforward.Rich
<<you can use it freely to read PDF documents. That's all it can do. That's all it is designed to do>>Rich,Actually, if the original PDF was created with "commenting in Reader" enabled, those viewing the document in Reader can also add comments to the document. I've been using Acrobat Professional for a long time and only recently learned this (MAC guys never read the manual). Acrobat and Reader are powerful tools. My only gripe is that Reader will not allow files with form fields to be saved with the applied data in place. I suppose it's a good way to sell more Acrobat Professional, but for most, the full-blown version is overkill. All in all, I think Adobe is a good company that makes some very cool software for all kinds of end users. Anyway, I think your posts to this thread have been very informative. Mike
Thanks Mike.
Rich,
I apoligize for my ignorance of things computer. When you buy a Macbook, you get no manual, so you learn by experiment and the help files. I have had only one experience needing to download and fill a form and then send it, so I was unaware of all the things involved. I appreciate your detailed explanation. Although you say Adobe is a program, and then say it isn't a program, I think I now understand what it is. There were other times that I have downloaded stuff off the internet, and it said you need Adobe to read this, so I did, everything worked fine, but I didn't know how it worked. My problem may have been that I downloaded a pdf into Word for Mac, and then tried to email that, and the filled form didn't go. I don't know what I did wrong, but I solved it by regular mail.
I read it 5 times, but I could go faster after a while.
Pedro
Pedro, The Adobe Reader site says: "Standard Forms
Adobe Reader allows users to fill out standard PDF forms and print them. Data entered cannot be saved directly back into the PDF File.Reader Enabled Forms
If a form has been enabled for Adobe Reader, data entered into the form may be saved back into the form. Form data can also be submitted directly back to a server, or exported to a separate file from Adobe Reader for return via email, ftp, and so forth."Seems like the problem basically was that you were sent a Standard Form rather than a Reader Enabled Form. But when you fill out the form and go to print it, OS X lets you save it as a new PDF. Since it's no longer the original PDF, you should then be able to attach the file to an email or do whatever you want to with it. If all they are looking for is a printable filled-out form, that should be good enough. One side note: I've noticed that often when I download a PDF drawing (usually from over in Breaktime) and open it with Preview, the lines are so faint they are almost illegible. If I open up the same file in Adobe Reader, it's fine. Don't know why that is, maybe just my particular software, but it might be useful to know if you run into that problem. Good luck, Dan
I use OpenOffice and it has a button to "export as PDF" (it does what Office does and it's free). It saves the document as a PDF file that opens in Adobe Reader. (I just tried to make sure.)http://www.openoffice.org/
I give up on this. I just downloaded Openoffice, it said it won't work with out Apple X11, so I went and downloaded that, and it says It won't download because it is already on the computer, but Openoffice still won't open. I appreciate your help, but I quit.
pedro. Sorry you're having so many problems. OpenOffice is almost a complete substitute for Microsoft Word, but not quite. It's useful to have. But I don't like it, because it runs in the X11 environment rather than the native Mac OS graphic environment. That's why it's telling you it's looking for X11. Have you tried starting the X11 windowing environment first, then running OpenOffice? You do that by going to Applications/Utilities/X11 and double clicking X11. I use NeoOffice which is much more Mac-like and doesn't need X11 ( http://download.neooffice.org/neojava/en/download.php ). But why are you trying to use OpenOffice? What are you trying to acomplish?Rich
I am incredibly lost.Can somebody tell me where the wood working forum is?Thanks.....;->)Jeff
I'm sorry Jeff, do you only have one dimension?
Jack
I guess the attempt at humor was to abstract and vague...sorry.Jeff
Nah, It got through. Rich
That's OK Jeff, I just couldn't let it slid.
Jack
"But why are you trying to use OpenOffice? What are you trying to acomplish?"You would have to blame me for that. I added to the discussion by replying to the last post which was ptu's and forgot to change it to All. He tried it and it didn't work on his Mac. I've got XP and don't have any issues with it and OpenOffice.
QC,
Thanks. Yes, I realized pedro had downloaded OpenOffice after your suggestion. It's a shame when things start going south like this and confusion sets in.
I ssumed he just wants to be able to fill in a PDF document. Reader can do that if the PDF was created correctly. If it wasn't, Office (of any flavor) won't help. Options are to print the document, fill in by hand and fax it, or to get one of the many PDF editing programs/environments. Trouble is, once you get to that level of utility, the programs become very expensive.
Another option is to use Reader to save the text out of the PDF, then open that file in a word processor and proceed from there.
Rich
Rich,
QCInspector suggested I download Openoffice, so I tried that. I have since sucessfully downloaded Adobe Reader 8, and will stick with that. Thanks for your help.
Pedro
Good luck. Don't get frustrated if there are future glitches. As I suggested before, the Adobe Reader forum is a good place for help. Or just post back here again.
Rich
Thanks again for your help and patience, if I have more problems I'll ask. just don't tell Jeff100.
Pedro
With a reader you can fill out the forms and you can print the filled out form but you can not save the filled out form or e-mail it.
Jack
Most PDF forms are can be read with Adobe Reader and you can fill in the blanks if they are set up right and then print them, but you cannot save the filled in form unless you have something like the program mentioned above or PDF Quick Converter Pro which converts the print output to a PDF files.
Jack
It is my (somewhat informed) understanding that the new version of Microsoft Office 2007 is also capable of saving to the PDF format. I believe you need to install a free download from Microsoft's website after you install Office in order to get this capability.
Mike
Max. thanks for the info, I will look into that.
Pedro
For the .001% of population using WordPerfect instead of Word, it has the ability to save a file directly to a .pdf document.
More and more photocopy machines these days have the ability to create .pdf files as well. I do this all the time with our copier...I can take a signed document or a photo or a catalog page or whatever, run it through the copier, and the copier emails it back to my computer as a .pdf file. It's pretty slick.
Just a reminder that one should be very cautious about downloading any free software, especially software that processes your documents and requires a connection to the internet. I'm not singling out the package described here, just pointing out a general rule.
Pete
Pete,
Your point is very well taken. What with all the hackers (children with an insatiable appetite for attention) out there we all must exercise caution whenever we download software.
For years I worked as a computer support professional in various capacities, primarily with an emphasis on networking; and I've used this software over 5 years with no ill effects. I've had many support pros recommend PDF995 and have had virtually no problems. The small add that comes up is one for their software only and only appears when you use it, and it also displays what it created, i.e. the .PDF file.
The software is nothing more than a printer driver. It is full featured and is the same as the purchased version. It essentially creates an additional "printer".
No I'm not a salesman for them :-) :-)
My intent with this discussion is to provide an option for those PC users who would like to be able to produce portable electronic documents that most other Adobe capable computers can read.
Thanks for your concern.
Happy safe computing,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
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