CREATE PDF FILES

Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) lets you capture and view your files — from any application, on any computer system — and share them with anyone around the world. PDF files are widely used (especially on the Web) because they preserve the original appearance of the printed document (fonts are embedded). To access these files, you must have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, configured to work with your browser. When viewed or printed in Acrobat Reader, the document appears as it does in the hard copy version. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you may download a free copy from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html   PDF files may be created using Adobe Acrobat, which must be purchased (Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Professional version is currently NZ$921, Standard is NZ$617, or in packages). And there are other programs which will create PDF files. One of these (which is free) is PDF995 (from http://www.pdf995.com/download.html). Two files must be downloaded and installed: Pdf995 Printer Driver (2.1MB) and Free Converter (5.0MB). Two further optional programs are available: pdfEdit995 (0.6MB) and Signature995 (0.454MB). These are free, but sponsor’s ads appear; if you prefer not to have these, purchase a key (US$9.95) for the basic set, US$19.95 for the whole suite. After installation, information about PDF995 is at c:\Program Files\pdf995\readme.html. When the basic files are installed, “PDF995” is listed as a printer. To create PDF files: Print (File > Print or Ctrl+P); click on the "Reveal button" at the right of the “Name” bar; select Adobe PDF (Adobe Acrobat) or PDF995; click OK. Select the destination folder in the window which appears; type in a filename; click on Save. The document will appear in Adobe Reader when you open it.

Further notes:

File size is important if you are emailing newsletters, etc. to others. PDF files are usually smaller than the original.
PDF files containing pictures are usually bigger if saved with PDF995 than with Adobe Acrobat —
especially if the originals contain pictures.

Return to "Hints and Instructions"

Return to Hamilton SeniorNet Home Page