While there are avid Adobe users and experts who are attending the Adobe MAX 2007 conference who know the PDF inside out, there may be some of you out there just getting to know the PDF up close and personal. For those not getting a chance to attend, this will be a perfect opportunity to take a look at the innovative PDF on a smaller scale.
What can the PDF do? You already know the basics—you can send, print, convert and save a PDF file. You can even use the format for online publishing, capturing web pages and maintaining master copies. What else is there?
Here are a few other things the PDF can do which (perhaps) you never knew. The format can. . .
1) Contain different documents in a single PDF file. Known as a PDF package, it can contain multiple documents that can be printed individually or altogether while retaining different security properties. Thus, as your work can include other document and file formats, so can the PDF.
2) Let you collaborate with others online. This capability has been highlighted as one of the major features to come out with the latest version of PDF. Being able to start meetings from within the Adobe Reader, Adobe Connect is an easy interactive way in which to communicate in real time over a PDF document.
3) Save the data you type into PDF forms within the reader. This interactive PDF functioning allows you to type in a form, save the data, and complete it at a later time. On an enterprise level workflow, the PDF from can be downloaded from a website, filled in, saved and submitted instantly back to the company’s server, saving everyone time and money.
4) Have its contents read out loud by using Read Out Loud. Read Out Loud isn’t a plug-in or device you need to install. It’s an option in the Adobe Reader’s view menu that allows you to listen to the contents of the active PDF page. Provided that you have a well tagged PDF, the Reader can read the entire document out loud.
5) Support dynamic 3D work, such as rotating 3D objects and separating layers of image data. The complex rendering of 3D models and minute detail of which the PDF is capable allows engineering based drawings to be shared in a format versatile and suitable enough to be shared among manufacturers, clients, and consultants.
6) Support a number of multimedia. This list of supportable multimedia includes elements such as video, animation, audio and games. Contrary to belief, the PDF is not a static format. Although it preserves information, it’s also a dynamic one.
7) Be created from scratch. In general, PDFs are usually created from other already existing documents whether in digital or hard copy. Now with the latest version of Acrobat, you can create a simple PDF document from a single blank PDF page.
8 ) Store complex and high resolution images. Thanks to the PDF, print publishers and photographers can be guaranteed that their digital images stay sharp and clear without any discolouration. For you, the fact that the PDF can preserve quality photos and images means that you now have a creative use for the PDF as a digital photo album as well.
9) Archive your important emails. Thus far, the PDF has been used to archive important business and government records. However, this ability can be extended to emails. A PDF document can be created from email messages within your very own client email program. Click on the email and, provided that you have Acrobat installed, you can convert it into a PDF file.
10) Act as a full screen kiosk slideshow. With its capabilities for graphics, and presentational focus on content, the PDF can act as a presentation slideshow complete with sound. A PDF document can be made to open in full screen mode, scroll automatically, and looped.
As you can see, this version of PDF is focused around improving the user experience with more dynamic, interactive and versatile features. And all these features and functions are just for the current PDF specification. Can’t wait to see where PDF functionality is headed to next!
