How to create PDF files with free software

PDF file is a very convenient document format, but it is not cheap to own the Adobe Acrobat professional software. BTW, most people do not need all functions in Adobe Acrobat. So I will happy to tell you some alternative way to make your computer PDF friendly, and you can enjoy all e-book you have and create your own PDF-eBook. Not just like that, if you have PDA or some similar device, you also can read your PDF files on your handhold device. Having fun and Enjoy.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• PC
• Mac
• internet connection.

1. The First you need Adobe reader to view PDF file. Generally, there are several free program can help you to read PDF files, not only Adobe reader.
   Since, the Adobe is the original company to develop this document format, and keep provide free reader. It also up to date very fast. So I will recommend every one should install this Adobe reader at very first time. If you find you not use it a lot after you install all the free program I mention here, you can remove it very easy.
   You can find the Adobe reader from any major down web sites.

2. For Mac user, go step 5.
   After you have Adobe reader, you need PDF printer to create your own PDF file. As I call it PDF printer, some other people call them PDF writer. For me they are very similar. The install is very simple. You down the program and run setup. program will install itself. There are several free PDF printer. I have their website here
   
   http://www.bullzip.com/products/pdf/info.php
   http://www.cutepdf.com/
   http://www.primopdf.com/
   
   All of them are very help and free. You only need one of them. To install these programs you may need windows sp2 disc, and some postscript program which also free. During your installation, the setup program will tell you what you need and where to get them.

3. To Use PDF printer to create PDF files, it is easy as using printer. When you have any things on you screen or you read any documents on you computer. You need them to convert to PDF file. All you need is USE PRINT function, and chose PDF printer in the printer list. You can change any paper size to fit your document, different DPI, and color. Use this program just like regular printer. After you press print, you will be asking to key in a name for the final PDF document.

4. Now you have PDF file. After you read your documents, you may want to take some note or highlight some lines. The Adobe reads can't help you on taking note, but you can highlight your document. Here is the other PDF reader you can use to help your computer more PDF friendly.
   
   http://www.docu-track.com/home/prod_user/PDF-XChange_Tools/pdfx_viewer
   
   PDF X change viewer.
   There are lot of additional functions in this program will help you to read and take note on your PDF files.

5. For the Mac User, you don't need PDF printer, you already have them in your Mac OS X. All you need is save as PDF file when you in the printing control panel.
   
   You need Skim to take note on PDF files.
   
   http://skim-app.sourceforge.net/
   
   It is also free software.

6. You are very welcome to leave comments. If you find other useful tools or the new update for these tools, or the web address wrong.

Tips & Warnings

• Some PDF printer can merge PDF file, if you need this function. I have use PDF cute for several years, and it work very good. the other programs I also try them recently. I can't find to much different in the files they create. BullZip has more function on creating PDF file, but you need SP2 disc to install. I think many people may lost their sp2 disc for long long time.
• Please down software from the original website. It is safe, and fast. I am sure the Cute PDF and PDF x-Change viewer have no bad bugs, but the others i can't be sure. Since I install them, I not yet get any virus or spam bother me. I think they are safe too.

[llparker]

on 10/28/2009 good job on writing on PDF

[DianeD]

on 12/20/2008 cutepdf is a great program

[Cric]

on 6/29/2008 Thanks. Have heard about cutepdf, will try.