Operation Manual

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Last updated 10/11/2011
Chapter 3: Creating PDFs
Adobe® PDF is the solution of choice for capturing robust information from any application on any computer system.
You can create PDFs from document files, websites, scanned paper documents, and clipboard content.
Overview of creating PDFs
What’s the best way to create a PDF?
You create a PDF by converting other documents and resources to Portable Document Format. You can usually choose
from several PDF creation methods, depending on the type of file you start with and your requirements for the PDF.
You can create PDFs from documents printed on paper, Microsoft Word documents, InDesign® files, and digital
images, to name just a few examples. Different types of sources have different tools available for PDF conversion. In
many applications, you can create PDFs by selecting the Adobe PDF printer in the Print dialog box.
If a file is open in its authoring application (such as a spreadsheet that is open in Microsoft Excel), you can usually
convert the file to PDF without opening Adobe®
Acrobat® X Standard. Similarly, if Acrobat is already open, you don’t
have to open the authoring application to convert a file to PDF.
Every PDF strikes a balance between efficiency (small file size) and quality (such as resolution and color). When that
balance is critical to your task, you’ll want to use a method that includes access to various conversion options.
For example, you can drag and drop files on the Acrobat icon to create PDFs. In this case, Acrobat applies the most
recently used conversion settings without providing access to those settings. If you want more control over the process,
you’ll want to use another method.
Additional resources
• Adobe PDF in Creative Workflows: www.adobe.com/designcenter/creativesuite/articles/cs3ip_pdfworkflows.pdf.
• Acrobat user community forums: acrobatusers.com/forum/pdf-creation.
PDF creation methods by file type
Refer to the following lists to determine the methods available for the different types of files.
Most files
These methods can be used for documents and images in almost all file formats.
Create menu Within Acrobat, by choosing PDF from File.
Adobe PDF printer Within most applications, in the Print dialog box.
Drag and drop On the desktop or from a folder.
Context menu On the desktop or in a folder, by right-clicking.