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Guide to Creating PDF Files

This section contains information regarding PDF files, including what they are and how to make them.

What is PDF?

PDF stands for Portable Document Format. If you want to share documents by email or the web to other computer users and ensure that your files are accurate and readable, the safest option is to convert them to PDF.

Other computer users will not always have the appropriate software to view your text and graphics files but the software to read PDF files is free and widely installed. PDF is frequently used as a 'print-friendly' format which can be made widely available from the web.

PDF files will appear exactly the same whatever computer you use, so a PDF file made from a document which was originally formatted in MS Word or CAD will look exactly the same on someone else's machine as it did on yours. This is true even if graphics were embedded in the original file.

PDF Files Are:

• Widely used
• A compressed format
• Viewable on any computer – formatted as it left the author
• Able to include any text, tables or graphics as a single file.

How Do I Create a PDF File?

There are a number of PDF converter software products available. Most needs can be met by using Adobe Acrobat (not simply the Acrobat Reader). However, we suggest that you research other products prior to making any purchasing decision.

Adobe Acrobat

Acrobat provides three methods for creating PDF files:

• PDF Writer, the quickest and easiest method for creating PDF files.
• Acrobat Distiller which uses a more intensive process to optimise compression and functionality.
• Acrobat Capture to convert scanned paper documents into PDF pages. The exact method of creating a PDF file depends on the version of Acrobat which you have installed.

PDF Converter Utilities

There are a number of software utilities available from the Internet that allow you to convert your files to PDF format by simply printing them to a PDF printer. A search for "PDF Writer" on the Internet will also provide a number of PDF utilities for you to evaluate. Many of the utilities are free, however they may include sponsored adds or links at the end of your converted document. Some examples include:

• PDF995 available for download from http://www.pdf995.com.
• Win2PDF is another utility that is available from http://www.daneprairie.com.

Online PDF Converter Services

Many firms on the web offer PDF conversion services. Some are free, others charge a fee: Examples are:

• Adobe PDF Online: Create Adobe PDF Online is a Web hosted service that lets you convert a variety of documents into Adobe PDF Files.

Website: http://createpdf.adobe.com

• PDF Online: PDF Online allows you to automatically convert documents from your PC or your Mac.

Website: www.pdfonline.com

• PS to PDF Converter: Online converter of Portable Document Format (PDF) files.

Website: www.ps2pdf.com

Can Someone Else Create PDF Files For Me?

For small developments with a cost of works under $100,000, Parkes Shire Council will offer a scanning service fee as follows:

Page size	Charge per page	Maximum Charge
A4/A3	$1.50	$50.00
>A3	$15.00	$200.00

Disclaimer

The listing of a product, service or organisation in any part of this website in no way implies any form of endorsement by Parkes Shire Council of that product, service or organisation. We recommend you research and test these and other options prior to using a service, making any purchasing decision or installing software.

Contact details
Planning & Environment Department
02 68612373 (ph)
02 68623946 (fax)
council@parkes.nsw.gov.au

© 2008 Parkes Shire Council
This page: http://www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/planning/1190/5153.html