What pdf writer do you use?

[Wanderer]

Okay, thanks to Mike Perry, I have a long list of pdf writers handy. Tell me which on you like to use best... if at all...
post a message stating the pros and cons if you like...

[bbapties]

adobe acrobat for me - with my applications I find no cons.....

[kieren]

I have had no problems using CutePDF in any application.
Installs as just another printer with no hassle.
Resolution is good, and can be configured to what ever dpi and paper size you like.
PDFs AutoCAD beautifully!

I have noticed that the PDF file size can usually be less than the Acrobat counterpart, with no loss of quality.

And best of all - ITs FREE!!

[Glenn Pope]

I use acrobat. The file sizes are bigger then when using other PDF apps. It seems to only happen with AutoCAD thou. I have found that when I make a DWF and then make a PDF from the DWF viewer results in a dramatic reduction in file size :confused: The two files also look identical. I wonder whats up with that.

I also use DWF a lot.

[robert.1.hall72202]

I use PDF995......it works ok, but with one issue....I do not like the editor. You select multiple files and combine them into 1 pdf.

To work around the editor, I have to print to an MDI file (microsoft document imaging), cut and paste each sheet the way I want, and then print the results to a PDF via 995.
A bit much, but the results look ok. All I have to do is watch my file sizes.

If there was such a software that would spool a bunch of prints and then print the entire group to a combined PDF, I would be all over it. With AutoCad, I can only print one drawing at a time and it makes generating drawing collections a pain.

[mom of 3]

we use Adobe, but we have to do so many steps in order to just write the file, then open yet another program that I think it's more of a hassle that way! although, I did get a CD in my Cadalyst this morning.........we'll see if the bosses will let me install & try that one.........

[Scott D Davis]

If large formats and large files are an issue, there is also another one from Pinebush, called HyperXpress PDF writer. This is the one that Revit uses to produce PDF's, but the HyperXpress is available as a stand alone PDF product. You can check it out at http://www.pinebush.com/
from the website:

HyperXpress® is a high performance printing and plotting software toolkit which includes a highly optimized raster image processor (RIP) designed to dramatically decrease the time it takes to print large, complex (including raster and vector) images

[mjfarrell]

For those times that I can't just send XML forms
of the data I created to those making plans,
I use DWF, and Acrobat. Although just as
often I am sending drawings with customer specific
page setups in them that I never change for them to plot
from.

[JASONM30395]

Used to use cutePDF but switched to DWF about 6 mo. ago.

[Phil Ferguson]

I have used a couple trial versions of Bluebeam and I like it...a lot...but it's expensive. The nice thing that I find about it, is that you don't have to jump through hoops to get your PDF to look like what you normally plot...it automatically picks up your plotter configuration and plot styles etc.

Otherwise, I use Acrobat...not my preferred method (too many hoops to jump through).

[Steve_Bennett]

I too am stuck with PDF995. I don't like it - very hit & miss with the results you want. Oh well.

[hand471037]

We use the Adobe one that comes with Acrobat. Been having some Font issues though, and it takes *forever* to generate a print if shadows are on. This is with Revit 7.

[Maverick91]

I use Adobe's -- either PDFWriter or Distiller depending on what I want to do. I use this here at the office because my company bought the copies of Photoshop.

However, at home, where I get to be the cheap-skate manager, I use PDF995. I've found that if I keep my pop-up blocker on, it keeps the annoying Internet window of shameless plugs under control.

[michael.12445]

We use Acrobat. FWIW, most of our clients demand PDF files (we are architects), unless they want us to furnish the DWG files. We've only ever used DWF on one project.

Michael Evans
Togawa & Smith, Inc.

[jaberwok]

I can't vote because the list doesn't include "5D pdfcreator". I've used it for several years and it seems to do everything. The thing is - it was available for free when I got it but it isn't free any more.

[CADKitty]

Hey, where's the "other" option? We don't use any of those!

We use pdf995 here because, well, it's free. Only problem is it won't install correctly on my computer! :mad: Grrr....

Read the Cadalyst article on the new Acrobat 7.0 coming out...very interesting....anyone have a couple grand they could give us so we could try it out?

[mom of 3]

hey! we got cutePDF from our IT dude on Fri...........I installed it this morning, but haven't used it yet..........I'll let ya know what I think! I have a feeling I'll like it better than Adobe............

[Wanderer]

Hey, where's the "other" option? We don't use any of those!


Read the Cadalyst article on the new Acrobat 7.0 coming out...very interesting....anyone have a couple grand they could give us so we could try it out?
d'oh! You're right, should have put 'other' as an option, I left off 995 and a couple others because you can only have 10 choices... hmmm. ah well (see what a lousy surveyor I am, lol, good thing I have marilyn to keep me in line every month)

[Grumpy]

I use PDF995 also, and have not had any problems with it, once I figured out the how to get the pages to come out landscaped. I have tried Acrobat and Bluebeam but the results weren't the best and since you have to pay for them I just could not justify it. 8-)

[Kroke]

I use Jaws and PDF Factory Pro because it lets me print a whole set of plans in one PDF document.

[MHultgren]

I like the ACROPLOT PDF writer. It has the ability to do multiple files in Batch mode, hyperlinks and works with PC3 files, so you get what you expect. Great support too.

[Ed Jobe]

Added pdf995, and other, to the poll.

[Ed Jobe]

Expensive? Not compared to Acrobat. I have Bluebeam and Acrobat Pro. Since you can only vote once, I voted for Bluebeam. I use it for writing and Acrobat for editing. Acrobat has some writing bugs. It's printer driver can be difficult to get what you want and it has a bug with hyperlinks. To do a hyperlink, pdf has to do it with two objects, a text obj and a link object overlayed on top of the text. The bug in Acrobat does not line the link objects up with the text. The farther away from 0,0, the farther away the link is from the text. So you can't just move the links all at once.

[MHultgren]

I can't vote because the list doesn't include "5D pdfcreator". I've used it for several years and it seems to do everything. The thing is - it was available for free when I got it but it isn't free any more.
5D was bought by Jaws when it went to the pay to play side. If you had your auth code, you could d\l the version that first went on sale and upgrade for free.

[Ferroequine]

I'm using AcroPlot Pro. Great customer support.

[CADKitty]

Added pdf995, and other, to the poll.
All right, thanks Ed! Now I can vote! ;)

[jaberwok]

5D was bought by Jaws when it went to the pay to play side. If you had your auth code, you could dl the version that first went on sale and upgrade for free.
Thanks Mark, that's a thought and I'll keep it in mind.
I've never had any problem with the free version. It handles large sheets and seems not to have problems with any of the ttfs that I use.

[neb1998]

Have you had any similar trouble with REVIT 7.0 and the use of the pinebrush driver, i currently have version 4.2 and it sometimes corrupts the pdf image of revit files, especially large or detailed floor plans

[blads]

Acrobat Pro v7.0.5 its aamzing what this product can do!

[blads]

Have you had any similar trouble with REVIT 7.0 and the use of the pinebrush driver, i currently have version 4.2 and it sometimes corrupts the pdf image of revit files, especially large or detailed floor plans
I didn't have any problems when using V7and the inebrush driver but found acrobat was giving me smaller file sizes, so consquently only use that now.

sorry I cant be more helpful

[bowlingbrad]

For AcroPlot Pro:

Can you share the PDF printer driver across a network or do you have to install on each computer?

[Brian Myers]

For AcroPlot Pro:

Can you share the PDF printer driver across a network or do you have to install on each computer?

It needs to be installed on each computer for which you have a license of the program.

More info: http://www.cadzation.com/acroplotpro_info.htm