Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Beta 2 Prof

Adobe’s PDF format is a widely used document type for distributing content. To read and print PDF formats you can use the free Acrobat Reader. However, to create PDFs one has to use Adobe Acrobat. The latest version of Acrobat includes a range of new features. Acrobat is now available in three different versions, from the Professional edition that we reviewed, to the Standard edition and Acrobat Elements. The last option is meant for large enterprises using Microsoft Office and converts business documents into PDFs. Here are some of the features we checked out in the Professional edition. 

Creating PDFs

Creating PDFs are now much simpler and using a concept aptly named “One Step PDF”. It is much simpler than using Distiller and the complicated way of doing this in the previous version. Acrobat 6 lets most PDFs be created by reading a file and clicking one button to save it.

Layers

Finally, Acrobat includes a feature that has been requested by many users of PDF files–the ability to incorporate and retain layers in the document. Programs like Photoshop or even divisioned HTML can contain content upon content in the form of layers. When you import this in Acrobat 5, this information gets lost. Acrobat 6 on the other hand retains the information and you can view it in the file itself.

S N   A   P   S   H O   T Key specs : One step PDF creation, incorporates layers, PDF optimizer, embed watermarks Meant for : Enterprises Pros : Multi-financial year accounting and inventory management Cons : Heavy dependence on mouse, MIS Report formats not useful Contact : Adobe Systems, Noida, UP. Tel : 2444711. E-mail : sandeepm@adobe.com

New PDF Optimizer

This new tool allows you to compress and optimize the final output size of the PDF you are creating. The tool asks for the version compatibility that you wish to retain (4, 5, 6). Depending on the version chosen you will get optimized output version, version 6 being the most optimized of course.

Other Changes

You can finally embed watermarks into the document for copyright or other purposes. This goes a long way in preserving your IPR. Rich content can also be embedded–this includes Flash animations, MP3s and presentations. And the difference in the file format between Acrobat and Adobe eBook format has now been removed. Now they are both the same and DRM (Digital Rights Management) properties have been built into PDF itself.

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