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CutePDF Writer

<ul><li><a href="http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp">CutePDF Writer</a></li></ul>
Ever get a document from somebody but couldn't open it because it was made with a program you don't have? Ever want to include a readme file with pictures but didn't want to clutter up the download zip? We've all seen pdf files on various web sites, and we probably all have the acrobat reader installed somewhere on our comp. Welp, pdf's may offer the solution to a lot of your day to day document sharing problems.

I've been working quite a bit with the pdf format lately, Street just handed over a supplement to the texture tutorial in pdf, and SLO_Papa is king of the pdf for offline track garage settings. And it was SLO_Papa who put me on the hunt for an unimposing, easy to use, program to create pdf files. It all started when he wanted to convert our recent <a href="http://mtm2.com/~mtmg/zone.shtml">zone</a> how-to to a more offline friendly version. There were layout problems, links didn't work, and several minor things. He tried to create it several ways, he sent me his original doc that imported imperfectly into my word processor, and eventually we settled on what's now posted on the page. However, since I have xp on the test comp, I thought I'd test drive a few programs that claim to make a better pdf. I've tried several before but found them all lacking in one way or another. So, I googled "make pdf file" and came up with the same batch of problematic junk.

Then I struck on CutePDF. Install the Ghostscript converter (adobe's <a href="http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/main.html">PostScript</a> drivers might work but CutePDF was made with Ghostscript so I saw no reason to complicate matters) then install the CutePDF Writer and that's it. Just "print" any open document from any program with print capabilities, select the CutePDF Writer instead of your bubble jet and tell it where to save. No nags, no adware, no extra programs, just no nonsense pdf creation.

Note. An alternate way, and with more functionality, would be to use <a href="http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Corel3/Products/Display">WordPerfect</a> or <a href="http://www.openoffice.org/">Open Office</a>. Just create your doc, and export/publish to pdf. And that's the best way when starting from scratch. But say you print or share an online web page with somebody offline or don't want to install a suite of programs just for pdf's. That's where CutePDF Writer comes in. And best of all, it's free.

Cool topic.

Just a second opinion. Back in January I also was on the hunt for something to convert an MS Word doc file into a pdf. After encountering a few web services and commercial pdf authoring software, I came across some free pdf writer utilities. CutePDF was probably among those Google search results, but at the time the one I eventually went with was PrimoPDF.

It seems to be the same deal as you describe, except I didn't need to install any additional Ghostscript/Postscript converters or drivers. Once installed, open your document, hit Print and select PrimoPDF as the destination 'printer', and tell it where to save. You can optimise the PDF output file for screen or for printing (though I'm buggered as to what the difference is).

Another one I collected, but didn't actually try, was pdfMachine. It's a free version of a commercial software that retains some advanced features like encryption, albeit with a watermark, and also works as a 'print' device.


Oh, I almost forgot. The lairy document I wanted to convert was my Honours thesis, parts of which had had input from a couple online communities, including someone from this place (mucho gracias). It's kinda rubbish in this embarrassed author's opinion, but for some reason they saw fit to give me first class for it . The thesis and some additional materials has a home here.

And while we're on the topic, an alternate reader has passed across my desk.
<ul><li><a href="http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php">Foxit PDF Reader</a></li></ul>
The key advantage is that it's a 900kb download, as opposed to Adobe's 16 megabyte installer.


> here

Thanks. I'm sure I'll make myself dizzy with that one day.