1 What is PDF
PDF is made by Adobe company invented the file format, Portable Document Format acronym, meaning ” the portable document format”. It has become the de facto standard electronic document, more and more electronic publications, software manual, complete a form are used in PDF format. Want to know more, please see [ PDF ].
2 Why use PDF format
In order to general: put an article into a PDF, readers both in Unix and Windows, regardless of whether there is a Chinese font, can be normal reading.
In order to appearance: you carefully layout files into PDF, the other on the screen exactly like you, wouldn’t have to wrap / fonts / sleepy.
In order to secure: in the PDF file, you can open the password, not allowed to modify, copy, print … ….
Most of the time, but also reduces the volume of generated PDF files.
3 This article content and explanation
This paper introduces PDF reading, editing, translation software and tools; to free software.
This article does not cover crack PDF protection software; not introduced PDF and other formats conversion software; not involving a Windows environment, software such as Latex.
4 Some basic and important knowledge
The majority of the users only need to read the PDF, without the need to generate / editing PDF. As long as a PDF reading software can do this.
If you want to” production” PDF, correct train of thought is from other files ( such as office, HTM, RTF )” transformation” and, instead of using the imaginary” PDF generation software” build to input content typesetting to save to. Such software formal name ( online search ) or the categories should be PDF converter, PDF virtual printer, i.e., conversion program, the virtual printer.
PDF is a file format, it has different versions:1.2… … 1.5. The higher the stronger version, function, such as support for animation, multimedia, annex, form … … But these advanced features are not commonly used — precisely, is rarely used. As PDF inventor and advance, Adobe products is the most stable. However, also the most expensive, the largest volume of ( in order to support more PDF function ). In contrast, the third party product support only a limited (and usually is enough ), but has the advantages of small volume, run quickly, cheap price.
Third party products, many are based on the adobe or ghostscript technology, and some is the independent development of technology.
Note that, a lot of foreign software in processing Chinese PDF will have a problem; many shareware not registered can also have been used, but in the PDF document watermarking.
Integrated a variety of software, can achieve a completely free PDF solution — so, please do not piracy!
The first part: PDF reading software and online applications
Here again, PDF is mainly used to read, rather than editing. Give you a doc RTF TXT, usually you can read, you can also edit. Or rather, editing time than read more. But PDF is not the same. Release of PDF is mainly for people to read, not for editing.
Read PDF, this is very easy to solve the problem, and the majority of software or online applications are free of charge. For different users, use of good software advice:
1.1 classic utility class PDF reading software
For often read PDF users, recommended to choose from the following one or several PDF reading software. They are very classic, and stability.
Adobe Reader.
Adobe Reader is the most authentic, the earliest a debut, most of the PDF reading software, estimates that it accounted for more than 80%. Advantages: the most stable, the most compatible. Disadvantages: too big in size ( estimated to be50MB ). Conclusion: the general users do not recommend; but need to use high version of PDF or other software compatibility problems, can choose the software.
Foxit Reader.
The outstanding domestic software. Advantages: small volume, only 3MB, start quickly, green need not be installed; excellent Chinese support. Cons: no obvious disadvantages. Conclusion: recommended. See the monograph [ small PDF reading software: Foxit PDF reader] [FoxitReader: super small ultrafast PDF reader, instead of Acrobat Reader].
PDF-XChange Viewer.
Xbeta is extremely optimistic about a rookie, updated quickly, progress is apparent, particularly rich, highly recommended, [ click here ] read xbeta trial experience. I believe it will be Adobe and Foxit contender.
In addition to the classic three mainstream PDF reading software, in foreign countries more influential PDF reading software and:
- eXPert PDF Reader: history is longer also, but the domestic users rarely. Some people think that ‘s better than Foxit. Here ], [ interface, xbeta didn't quite used.
- Perfect PDF Reader (20MB ), the interface is beautiful Ribbon style ( screenshot).
- Cool PDF Reader ( screen ): small, only 600KB. [ via]
1.2small novelty PDF reading software
Like to try for more compact, more novel operation of the user, can try the following software:
MuPDF:
Known as the fastest ( probably), but at least I believe it’s the most streamlined interface — without any menu button, rely on the shortcut key operation. The Windows version, Linux version, after extracting5MB. See this article.
Apvlv:
The hotkey is entirely modeled on the VIM style, known as the Vim PDF reading tool, it is cross platform and VIM fans necessary edge tool. After opening can not use, that is: H.
Sumatra PDF.
More than two above a popular some PDF reading software is Sumatra PDF, a free, open source, compact, single file, to support Chinese, see the article” Sumatra PDF: fast ultra small, beautiful love of both open source reader”.
1.3 online reading pdf
Google docs if used only occasionally, you do not need to install software, online applications easy to get PDF reading demand.
Early to open online PDF site there are many, such as Samuraj Data, PdfMeNot. And the best, most reliable, of course, is “Google Docs reader. If your PDF is the local document, you need Gmail account to upload to Google Docs (10MB ) or sent to the Gmail mailbox, then, you can preview the content. Not only that, you can also use the PDF document issued, for others to click on the link to read. In addition, Google docs also supports online PDF document reading view ( simple that if http: / / docs.google.com / gview? Url = PDF address ), and published to the webpage. Highly recommended, see the valley ‘s introduction, introduction of 21.
Second part: the PDF software and online application
This part of the contents of most, slowly, slowly election.
PDF is how come? Does not have a special software, create a new file, in which input content, then save, became pdf. And is usually use other software to edit the document, the output for the PDF; or to an existing document, print PDF. That is to say, can generate PDF software2. One is the other file editor, and has PDF output function. Another kind is the virtual printer ( virtual printer ), can put any printed documents” print” into PDF. The former deals with limited range, but the generated PDF with link, directory, bookmarks, author and other relevant information. The latter range is wide, but additional information will be less. Additional information is less? Depending on the specific software different.
A, can output PDF software
2.1.1 supports PDF office software
Xbeta strongly recommended open source software [OpenOffice.org ], not only can better compatible with MS Office format, and more expensive MS Office also has a PDF output function. It can make the editing documents, forms, shows the output for the PDF, and, can retain directory, links, bookmarks. See [ xbeta OOo ] officially opened.
In addition, for personal use free [ WPS Personal Edition ] can output PDF, and the MS Office compatibility is better than OOo.
That bulky, expensive MS Office 2007 in a plug-in, can output PDF. If you have enough money, hard enough, the machine can be good, also can buy a set of.
2.1.2 supports PDF text editor
The meaning of PDF, besides safety — format. Therefore, the famous typesetting software Tex behoove can export pdf. You can use LaTex ( or further by means of VIM, Emacs and other professional editor to edit the Tex file ), and compiler for the PDF format. Read more.
In two, PDF virtual printer ( virtual printer )
Virtual printer ( PDF virtual printer ) software slue, first review.
Firstly, according to the origin can be divided into 2categories:
The invention of PDF Adobe products: volume of the largest, most stable performance, the best compatibility, never free.
The third party ( Legend of the copycat? ) : there are many kinds of. The user must pay attention, they ( especially the volume small ) can support chinese.
Various third party tools, can be divided into the following3 categories:
A is characteristic of simple English, PDF, volume is small, but to domestic users of little significance ( often does not support Chinese );
B based on the Ghost Script product, you must first install the GS ( about 10MB), then put their virtual printer (3-10MB ), usually to support chinese;
C is the independent development (not based on GS ), they are usually not free, but good performance, small volume, some support Chinese, some not.
Of course, there is also a” manual” generation PDF approach, practicality is not strong, but has deep experience of the United States, see [ xbeta ] and [Lin Wuxian ] tutorial tutorial.
1 Acrobat = the most classic of the most expensive
This is the most stable, and the best compatibility solution. Of course, also the largest, the highest price scheme.
Recommended index: for individual users to business users 100%0%.
Remind the basic user, Adobe reader previously called Acrobat Reader, is used to see PDF; the Acorbat is generated PDF. Do not confuse! Maybe Adobe company was aware of the problem, now renamed Adobe Reader reader. Adobe Adobe Reader, Acrobat Acrobat professional edition, standard edition3 products difference see [this webpage ] or [the PDF ].
2 pdfFactory: first-class quality but not for free
[ Chinese ] [ page download: omitted ]
Excellent products! Home page: pdfFactory products provides than the other procedures more simple, more efficient and less money to create PDF documents solutions. The pdfFactory Standard Version ( about 500 yuan ) is used to create a PDF file, pdfFactory Pro ( about 1000 yuan ) the need for the security of PDF ( legal documents, company information) and other advanced features of the user.
Xbeta thinks this is a high quality products, the company FinePrint is a very successful shareware business. I have reason to suspect that it is the individual and small business users share the highest PDF generation software. It is better than the Adobe Acrobat is the main reason for compact, easy to download only the 2MB magnitude — volume. On Chinese support, and the domestic market is also very good. It is shareware, but look from the technology, also can be used for a long time, only is generated document watermarking with advertisement. From this point of view, although it claims is shareware, but can also be seen as a free advertising software. Professional edition can be encrypted, the plurality of print a document to a PDF.
Recommended index: individual user0% ( too expensive); enterprise customers80%.
3 PDFCreator: open source world first recommended!
Download and see PDF Creator: the most recommended open source PDF generation tool (with video )
- Homepage: sourceforge.net / projects / PDFCreator /
From [SourceForge] open source products PDFCreator, there is no doubt that open-source / free world the biggest influence in PDF generation scheme. Although in China may not — perhaps there is no Chinese home page, install the GS more complex? Or is there a better commercial software ( piracy ) available?
It is no problem for Chinese support ( I have only once in MS Office when there is leakage word ), multiple interface language (including simplified Chinese ), encryption support, support for multiple options. And the indirect approach to multiple print a document into a PDF. Should say, functions very comprehensive. In addition to create PDF documents, can also generate Postscript, Encapsulated, Postscript, and PNG, BMP, JPEG, PCX, TIFF and other graphics file format.
Note: print PDF does not support bookmarks and links; preservation, header information is not chinese.
Recommended index: open source software fan100%, general user 60%.
4 CutePDF Writer: the most suitable for individual users
Home page of the official download (1.6MB )
CutePDF family includes a variety of software, including the free, can meet the basic printing the generated PDF needs. It is also based on the GS, therefore, please download and install from the CutePDF [GPL Ghostscript conversion process ]