PDF Solutions for readers, editors and converters

[Sniperz]

PDF format remains predominant and universal. Contrary to the frequent incompatibility between two different text editors, the contents of a document (fonts, images, formatting ...) PDF will be identical whether you are on Windows, Mac or Linux. For this reason, its use was first developed in the professional world but also artistic. This file format has gradually democratized and today, which has never received such a document in his mailbox?

Introduction

Everything would be great if the tools of reading and editing available to the public easily and were not too heavy or expensive. For it must be admitted, the download of Adobe Reader is a real ordeal. So who could afford to invest in Adobe Acrobat for occasional use? It is also not surprising to learn that the products of this company are ahead of illegal downloads .

Fortunately the process of democratization has been committed and the PDF is now open to developers wishing to incorporate this technology. If the company is careful to share the entire patent, however, we find excellent alternatives at both readers and converters that publishers full.

So what are these programs that will keep you on the straight path of legality? Here's an overview is not exhaustive but nevertheless very interesting.

[Sniperz]

Readers for pdf

If there is a utility that I consistently forgot to install after formatting my computer, it is Adobe Reader. And then a few days after I receive the traditional PDF by email. Then follows the perilous process of downloading the player , for reasons still unknown, trying to force the download of Adobe Download Manager. Fortunately, that time is past for me!

For if there is a program universally criticized for its cumbersome and slow, it is Adobe Acrobat Reader. Although it is only a viewer for PDF files, this software has the gift to slow down most machines putting a long time to open. Fortunately, we found excellent alternatives that are worth visiting.


Foxit Reader

This utility is a gem and we regret it is simply not been created earlier. With 20MB, Adobe Reader is sometimes very frustrating to download, especially if only briefly to view a PDF document. For its part Foxit Reader weighs only 5MB and offers the same number of features, What's wrong!

Foxit Reader offers a customizable toolbar with which you can open multiple files in different tabs, email them or watch them full screen. You can create shortcuts to certain sections of the file. If the document in question is not secure, you can even add your own notes, handy if you read a book in electronic format. Moreover, different types of media can be read as images, audio or video files embedded in PDF documents.
But what we appreciate most is the incredible speed of this utility.

Download free Foxit Reader (5.04 MB)



Sumatra PDF

Smaller than Foxit Reader? Possible! We can hardly believe it but Sumatra PDF weighs just over 1MB on your hard drive! To be precise, the viewer requires no installation, meaning you can simply drag onto your USB stick.

Of course, you will not have access to advanced features, but open source software licensed under the GPLv2 loads still a search engine, zoom options, a full-screen playback and navigation shortcuts for keyboard.

Download free Sumatra


eXPert PDF Reader

While it is certainly difficult to do better than the two previous applications, eXPert PDF Reader adds a unique touch: the interface customization through themes. But now, it will be to the detriment of the file that you view as the program automatically adds a watermark reminding you that there is a paid version, which can change the content of the file.

Note anyway that we can add a comment to document that the program, it is slightly heavier than Foxit and Sumatra, is undeniably faster than Adobe Reader.

Download free eXPert PDF Reader



PDF-XChange Viewer


PDF-XChange Viewer is a very interesting solution to permanently replace Adobe Reader. This free software is fast and light shows. The opening large files does it pose any problems since PDF-XChange Viewer handles them very easily. Many features are also present such as creating thumbnails of documents in progress.

In addition, the program does not merely be a simple reading tool as it is also possible to extract text and image PDF files but also add annotations or pages to your document. Finally, your additions or comments can be saved with the document. PDF-XChange Viewer is certainly one of the best alternatives for playing. Pdf files!

Download free PDF-XChange Viewer

[Sniperz]

PDF Converters

A presentation to distribute an article to be published? A CV to send? Feel more a second, it will be in PDF format because it will retain all the properties of your document. So how to convert your existing file to PDF?

doPDF

Many converters use a very specific method for converting a PDF document: add a virtual printer. Rather than installing dozens of programs to achieve the transformation of every known file type to PDF format, software type doPDF provide compatibility with any document in the database can be printed. Simply go to the printer properties and select doPDF from the drop down printers.

Very light, so that the download system resource, doPDF can also be configured as the default printer in the properties. It allows a resolution of 72 dpi to 2400dpi and offers compatibility with operating systems 64 bits. The conversion process is very fast and directly opens the default player.

Download free doPDF

PDFCreator

PDFCreator is an open source original enough to share his operation because, like doPDF, it can convert to PDF any document whose application allows printing. PDFCreator will then create a virtual printer that will be added to your list of printers on your machine. Simply launch your document to this virtual printer that can be converted easily.

After printing started, the newly created PDF file will be present on your desktop. We also appreciate the opportunity to adjust the image compression to reduce the size of the final PDF file. PDFCreator is an ingenious alternative, convenient and effective!

Download free PDFCreator

Online PDF Converters

If the PDF creation is very timely for you, you certainly are reluctant to install a dedicated tool for this purpose. Prefer a web interface who will do this for you. In this category, here's what we found:

ExpressPDF is compatible with Word and Excel files and web pages. Simply upload your document (20MB maximum) or mention the URL in question (the website should be online). Then simply specify the email address where you want to receive the PDF file.

In the same spirit, Zamzar offers for him a much wider range of conversion options including support files OpenOffice.org, Microsoft Works, or Publisher. The free version has a limit 100MB/fichier.

PDF Converter offers a similar service and can also do the reverse process, for example, get a. Doc from a PDF.

Still remember that not necessarily very wise to send sensitive or personal data to a third party server.

[Sniperz]

PDF creation software

How to correct a misspelling or add a certificate to a PDF document? In other words, how to edit an existing PDF file? What interests us now, what are the alternatives to Adobe Acrobat. After all, if you can avoid paying many Rupees, then it is perhaps the coup. Moreover, the United States, the software is distributed to 299 pre-tax $ and we will never let us believe that taxes are so high!

Here are some solutions on the market at a lower price or free.


Foxit PDF Editor

We have presented Foxit Reader is a great alternative to Adobe Acrobat Reader. Yes, but ... Foxit Software has more than one trick up his sleeve! More than just a reader, Foxit PDF Editor you can edit the contents of a PDF document received by email or downloaded from the Internet. As such it will be possible to add or delete text, images and edit them with an array of tools rather well supplied (move, resize, rotate, copy and paste ...). Going further, you can insert external pages to an existing PDF file! Where Foxit PDF Editor stands out compared to other programs, it is precisely in the simplicity of creation. Indeed, it is not required to import an existing PDF file to edit it afterward. Foxit offers a text editor to handle it from a blank page.

Note that a watermark will appear on your creations with the trial version.

Foxit PDF Editor seems to be a good solution for occasional use rather not requiring advanced tasks. The software is sold at an extremely competitive price. You can see more here : foxitsoftware

Download Foxit PDF Editor Free

Nitro PDF Professional


The interface of Nitro PDF Professional widely recalls that of Microsoft Office 2007. The grip is easy and startup, the application will ask the operation you want to perform: convert a PDF file, combine two files or edit the contents of an existing file. The options are numerous and fairly well furnished. More than a tool of creation, it is truly edition because it is not possible to create a blank document. It will therefore initially convert a file in Word, for example, then import it in the editor ... Rather strange, but it seems to be also the case for most other programs in our selection.

However, the issue is really complete. Besides text and image, you can add headers and footers. Furthermore, Nitro lets you create multiple keys for interaction through push buttons, radio buttons or checkboxes (not supported by Adobe Acrobat Standard). Also, reading a document, you can put several types of notes, comments, or review the general layout.

Just as Adobe Acrobat, Nitro PDF Pro provides a toolbar directly into Microsoft Office applications. This greatly facilitates the conversion. Again using Office programs, you can also perform this process using the printing options.

Since it is primarily oriented towards the professional world, Nitro PDF Pro offers many security options. With one click you can add a signature, watermark, a certificate, a password (encrypted at 40 or 128 bits) or connect to a secure digital identity to share with trusted contacts.

After a trial period of 14 days, Nitro PDF is sold for $ 100 for more information

Download trial of Nitro PDF Professional


Here is an example of what we find as a tool of self-styled creations PDF. Indeed, despite its promising name (and price), Solid PDF Creator is very limited in terms of functions. While you can convert a PDF document, of course, you can combine two files into one. Only here, the editing options are not content simply to regain the function of combination proposing to apply to your document Logos predefined (or define oneself) as a secondary layer on an existing file

Created by the same publisher, Solid PDF Tools interface incorporates Creator Plus adding more of options, especially regarding the conversion of a PDF document. The company boasts of power to convert PDF documents scanned, or TIFF image ... But of course, if you have a multifunction printer, it is likely that you can already do this kind of manipulation. In sum, the software company SolidPDF seem to have nothing truly extraordinary.

For more information see here

Download Solid PDF Tools free

Download Solid Converter PDF free

VeryPDF PDF Editor

Initially, this software has been designed to add comments and notes to a PDF file that you want to share in a workgroup. The process is actually very simple to make. Subsequently, VeryPDF PDF Editor has increased its capabilities and you can now add other content types (text, pictures, sketch) or change the source (correcting, police complete an electronic field ...). You can convert several file types to PDF and vice versa.

At first glance, the interface is rather rudimentary and options are not as extensive as those offered by Nitro VeryPDF but nonetheless an excellent alternative to Adobe Acrobat.

VeryPDF PDF Editor is sold at $ 89.95

Download VeryPDF PDF Editor free

Inkscape

If the PDF file you want to implement does not specify a tree but rather original content and rich in artistic creation, then certainly you'll want to Inkscape. This open source software, and therefore free, loads everything you need: word processing to the image editor via the formatting of each component.

In this sense, Inkscape for Adobe Illustrator is that Gimp is Adobe Photoshop. Very easy to use, installation is facilitated because it loads up the GTK engine is not installed separately (unlike The Gimp). Once your document is completed, you can save quite naturally in several formats SVG ... but also in PDF! Note also that it is possible to import a PDF file and modify it to record it again later.

Download Free Inkscape here

Conclusion

Since its inception, the PDF file format has changed several levels in response to strong demand from consumers. Since Adobe Systems has no monopoly on this technology, various tools, sometimes much more pleasant to use, have helped popularize the format and make it a universal exchange.

The diversity of readers, editors and converters has helped develop a flourishing market by offering attractive prices within reach of everyone. Depending on your needs and your budget, you choose the solution that seems more favorable.

In any case, even if the version 9 allows the consultation of rich media content (including reading the flash) and an effort has been made in terms of speed, it is clear that products from Adobe for PDF only are also more competitive than before.

[raneeq]

Thanks Sniperz. Really great post.
How about anybizsoft pdf to word converter I am using it now. As it supports password protected pdf converison. Then I am able to copy text from a securied pdf file.

[candies1986]

You can find all the information PDF Reader and related software, like adobe PDF reader. If you face some problem when you use PDF reader, you can find the answer in the PDF reader site