EDITORIAL: The next "PDF-killer"

The release of the new Computable Document Format (CDF) has been reported by some as ringing the death-knell of PDF. In this article, Dan Shea talks about the strengths, obstacles and possibilities for the new "PDF-killer".

What are you putting in your PDF files?

PDF files are generally judged on how they appear. The problem is that a well-crafted PDF (basically, one that works) and a horrible PDF (one that doesn't) can look identical onscreen. Mark Stephens from IDRsolutions explains how to spot the difference and why it matters.

EDITORIAL: Most PDF viewers can't handle PDF/X

Report cards are in after VIGC recently tested PDF viewers for compatibility with PDF/X (PDF-based standards for printing). Sadly, the most common grade was "F". Dan Shea sings a few bars in praise of the humble Adobe Reader, and explains why you might want to save a little extra hard drive space to use it over its "leaner" competitors.

Acrobat X is out in the wild, but you might not recognize it

Hot off the production line, Acrobat X has just been released with a handful of new features and a slick new look. Planet PDF's Rowan Hanna takes a closer look at the changes and speculates about whether Adobe has gone far enough with its redesign.

Reordering pages in Acrobat

Sometimes, you need to change the page order of your PDF documents. Luckily, you don't need to re-recreate the file from scratch, as it's a simple matter to re-order pages in Acrobat. In fact, it's as easy as dragging-and-dropping.

Custom stamps in Acrobat

By default, Adobe Acrobat allows users to place various standard stamps on your documents such as 'Approved', 'Declined' or 'Accepted'. That said, you can also create your own custom stamps. Using this option, you can take a logo or other image from another application and turn it into a custom stamp. Once created, you can apply it to any PDF document in Acrobat.

Rotating pages using Acrobat

If you have a PDF document that you have compiled from a range of sources (e.g. an Excel spreadsheet and a Word document), chances are that one or more of the pages will need to be rotated for easy on-screen viewing. Luckily, rotating pages in Acrobat is child's play. This tip explains how.

Snap to grid using Acrobat

When adding objects such as comments, images or form fields to your PDF documents, ensuring the correct position and alignment can be a nightmare. Luckily, owners of Acrobat can use the Grid Tool to arrange objects so they align perfectly. Use the 'Snap to grid' feature to align these objects against the grid lines displayed.

Critical updates to Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat released

Critical updates to Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat have been released to patch multiple vulnerabilities that were found in the applications in late 2011. Adobe has also included new JavaScript whitelisting capabilities in the new updates.

January 19, 2012

Debenu offers eBook for trying new automation tool

Just as the year comes to a close, Debenu has introduced the first release candidate for a new automation tool. Debenu PDF Maximus allows users to perform configurable sets of actions (Action Lists) on PDF files, either individually or in batches. Debenu is also offering a prize to those who try out the pre-release version of the product and tell the company what they think.

December 22, 2011

callas software launches pdfToolbox 5.3

callas software has announced the release of pdfToolbox 5.3. This maintenance release of callas' PDF correction and preflight tool adds support for Mac OS X Lion, and provides full compatibility with the most recent version of the Adobe PDF Library.

November 23, 2011

Major upgrade to Harlequin Server RIP released

Global Graphics Software has released a major update to Harlequin Server RIP, its flagship software for handling print jobs across a wide range of devices and workflows. Version 9.0 provides faster performance than its predecessors and includes a new range of productivity features for print shops.

September 01, 2011