Adobe Acrobat alternatives for creating & using PDFs

[this post last updated 2008/1/28]

Adobe Acrobat has allowed other software to create and modify the PDF format.

PrimoPDF PDF creation software is freeware.

PDFTextOnline allows you to get text and other content out of your PDF documents.

PDF-XChange Viewer In addition to all the standard features here are some of the features available in the PDF-XChange FREE Viewer

• Add Comments and Annotations to any PDF file (subject to security settings) - unlike the Adobe Viewer which requires the PDF creation tool to be ‘certified’ by Adobe !
• Mark-up pages with text and objects
• Type directly on any PDF page, not just Adobe enabled forms documents - in Typewriter mode.
• Export PDF pages or entire files to any one of the supported Image formats including BMP, JPEG, TIFF, PNG and many more …
• Extract text from a PDF page/File
• Make your navigation of large or complex PDF files both simple and enjoyable with the extended functionality of our ‘Loupe’ and the ‘Pan’ Window tools
• Fill and Save Adobe Forms to disk, email or ‘post’ !
• Full Javascript Engine included
• Updated JPEG2000 Compression support - improving speed.
• Plug-Ins for both MS IE or Firefox Browser’s included
• Integrate seamlessly with your favourite translation software to translate text on the ‘fly’ - including : ABBYY Lingvo 12, Translate It!, Lingoes.
• Includes comprehensive Help file and PDF Manual - no extra downloads required to add features etc.
• Portable version also available - can be run from any suitable device such as a Memory stick/CD/DVD etc - simply unzip and use - no installation required - just 4MB download !

And many more features such as Rotate and ‘Save’, Email files etc ….. Recommended by ClifNotes Newsletter.

Create a PDF file with PrimoPDF

Creating a PDF file without Adobe Acrobat is possible, and for free.

PrimoPDF freeware PDF creation software (according to the website) features:

• Completely free, not just a trial version, and no user registration is required.
• Ability to optimize PDF output for screen (online viewing), print (standard laser printers), ebook, and prepress.
• Resultant PDF output conforms to the PDF 1.4 specification.
• Secure PDF files with 40- or 128-bit encryption.
• Add document information (e.g. title, author, subject, keywords) to converted PDF files.
• NEW: Full support for 64-bit machines.
• NEW: Double byte character support.
• NEW: Support of non-TrueType fonts.
• NEW: Enhanced support for Microsoft Windows 98, ME, XP and Vista as well as improved PDF viewing support on non-Windows platforms.
• NEW: Ability to merge/append PDF files upon conversion.

There is a user forum and a manual available, too.  Not tested, so use at your own risk, but check the user forum for feedback from actual users.

Tame Acrobat Reader to avoid browser lockup

To avoid Acrobat Reader taking over your browser window (which sometimes locks up the browser):

• open Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Start > Programs menu
• then Edit
• Preferences
• choose Options (or Internet in 6.x)
• uncheck the box for “Display PDF in Browser” (make it blank).

After that, you’ll get a file download box when you access a PDF file, and Acrobat Reader starts automatically when you choose Open.

PDF conversion to and from

PDF Online (http://www.pdfonline.com/ ) converts files to and from PDF for a number of formats. Recommended by Clif Notes Newsletter.

PDF without Adobe Acrobat

Gios PDF Splitter and Merger ( http://www.paologios.com/ ) lets you split PDF files into individual pages without having the full Adobe Acrobat creation software. Freeware. Recommended by Gizmo’s Tech Support Alert newsletter.