PDF creation apps

Noreen · Apr 27, 2008, 11:05:58

Rik, is PDF Creator a free or pay for program?

Rik · Apr 27, 2008, 11:07:48

Free, Noreen. It installs as a printer, and you just select that from any app to create a perfect PDF. Highly recommended.

Noreen · Apr 27, 2008, 11:41:27

Quote from: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 11:07:48
Free, Noreen. It installs as a printer, and you just select that from any app to create a perfect PDF. Highly recommended.

Is it easy to use, Rik? I've looked at others that don't appear to have any instructions, I've no idea how you use them. Please post the "recommended" link (not David's iffy one

).

Rik · Apr 27, 2008, 11:44:43

Hi Noreen

It's a doddle to use. Once installed, it simply becomes another printer on your machine. When you want to create a PDF from an app, you just select it as the printer and it does the rest.

http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=57796

You don't need the languages file.

LesD · Apr 27, 2008, 12:10:12

This is the one I would recommend it's PDF Redirect its free and you get it here:

http://www.exp-systems.com/

The author is very friendly and will discuss matters with you by email or on the forum.

This one installs as as printer but there is a Desktop icon too that lets you manipulate/rearrange/contruct PDF docs/pages without the expense of Adobe writer. There is a no obligation upgrade to a paid for version but I have never had the need to go that way.

Another is Cute PDF. This one is just a printer.

I did use PDF Creator but found it a bit quirky on occasions! It's the GNU one as I recall, Is that right or am I mixing it up with another? I tried a few before setting for PDF Redirect.

Rik · Apr 27, 2008, 12:14:05

Quote from: LesD on Apr 27, 2008, 12:10:12
I did use PDF Creator but found it a bit quirky on occasions! It's the GNU one as I recall, Is that right or am I mixing it up with another? I tried a few before setting for PDF Redirect.

Quite possibly, Les, it's hosted by SourceForge. Oddly, I tried Cute and found that quirky.

LesD · Apr 27, 2008, 12:23:50

Quote from: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 12:14:05
I tried Cute and found that quirky.

It's one they push at work before you get Adobe Writer but thats much to pricey for the likes of me at home.

I found my way to PDF reDiect and for me it has always done what it says on the can.

Having just Googled for the link I posted (I am still playing with my Linux box and don't have any Favourites or should I say Bookmarks set up yet) I see on the Website it is now Vista compatible too still being an XP Pro man myself (Oh and Ubuntu 8.04 now!)

Everyone to his own as they say. Its up to David to decide I just mentioned it as an option.

David · Apr 27, 2008, 12:25:51

Quote from: LesD on Apr 27, 2008, 12:23:50
It's one they push at work before you get Adobe Writer but thats much to pricey for the likes of me at home.

I found my way to PDF reDiect and for me it has always done what it says on the can.

Having just Googled for the link I posted (I am still playing with my Linux box and don't have any Favourites or should I say Bookmarks set up yet) I see on the Website it is now Vista compatible too still being an XP Pro man myself (Oh and Ubuntu 8.04now!)

Everyone to his own as they say. Its up to David to decide I just mentioned it as an option.

Decisions Decisions !

LesD · Apr 27, 2008, 12:26:54

Quote from: badpianoplayer on Apr 27, 2008, 12:25:51

Decisions Decisions !

And before lunch on a Sunday too!

David · Apr 27, 2008, 12:29:24

You get to eat? god thats incredible...........don't spill it on the keyboard Les

Rik · Apr 27, 2008, 12:30:29

Quote from: LesD on Apr 27, 2008, 12:23:50
Everyone to his own as they say. Its up to David to decide I just mentioned it as an option.

I just miss the days when I automatically got every piece of software that Adobe ever produced.

Noreen · Apr 27, 2008, 12:32:15

I've downloaded Rik's link but haven't installed it yet, I still don't understand how these creators are used, say I had several text documents that I'd like to be in one pdf file, what do I have to do?

LesD · Apr 27, 2008, 12:32:27

Quote from: badpianoplayer on Apr 27, 2008, 12:29:24
You get to eat? god thats incredible..

Whoops did I mention

Quote from: badpianoplayer on Apr 27, 2008, 12:29:24
.........don't spill it on the keyboard Les

Is Wingco in the thread? If not send for him!

Rik · Apr 27, 2008, 12:35:14

Quote from: Noreen on Apr 27, 2008, 12:32:15
I've downloaded Rik's link but haven't installed it yet, I still don't understand how these creators are used, say I had several text documents that I'd like to be in one pdf file, what do I have to do?

You'd need to combine them into a single file, then print them to PDF Creator, it will create a single PDF file from them.

Noreen · Apr 27, 2008, 12:36:53

Thanks, Rik. I'll try that later.

Noreen · Apr 27, 2008, 12:46:55

Just started to install it but noticed this and cancelled it for now. Any comments?

[attachment deleted by admin]

Rik · Apr 27, 2008, 12:54:09

Not having Vista, I've not experienced the problem, Noreen. Try Les' suggestion.

Lance · Apr 27, 2008, 12:58:25

No comments - but I'll download and install on my Vista machine for you, and report back!

Noreen · Apr 27, 2008, 13:07:24

I've installed Les' program, Lance. It's definitely compatible with Vista. I'll try it out later.

Lance · Apr 27, 2008, 13:13:26

Well, I've downloaded, installed and PDFed a few documents with PDFCreator, and all seem fine.

As per the help file (and I've tested this), you can combine documents as follows:

Quote
Combine Documents

Combining documents is a very useful feature that allows you to take two separate documents and convert them into one PDF. Combining documents is as easy as printing two documents.

1. Open the documents you wish to combine.

2. Print the first document as you would on a standard printer.

3. When the print dialog appears, change the printer from your default printer to the PDFCreator printer. If the PDFCreator printer is your default printer, you do not have to change it. Then click OK.

4. Another window will appear asking you to fill in some information to create your PDF. Then click on the Waiting button. The PDFCreator print monitor comes up and the document is in the queue.

5. Go to the second document and print it using the PDFCreator printer.

6. The PDFCreator print monitor now shows both documents you wish to combine in the queue. Select both documents and go to the Document menu and click on Combine. The two documents will become one.

7. Now click on the Documents menu and click Print. PDFCreator will ask for some information and where you want to save it or email it.

8. Your PDF will be created and opened up in your default PDF viewer or opened in your email program.

Lance · Apr 27, 2008, 13:14:28

I think I may give Les' a go as well and see how that one does!

Rik · Apr 27, 2008, 13:14:50

Useful, I'd never spotted that, Lance.

Lance · Apr 27, 2008, 13:57:49

I've now had a little play with both, and as expected the output from each is identical. Personally though, I slightly prefer the interface and simplicity of merging documents in Les' link and that is the one which will be staying on my system!

Noreen · Apr 27, 2008, 17:14:40

I've now tried out PDF Redirect and I like it.

I tried to merge files and have managed to do it quite easily. Thanks Les.

Rik · Apr 27, 2008, 17:16:32

I guess I'm just going to have to try it for myself.