Acrobat 9 raises the bar for PDF files. PDF files are a popular way to share and mark up documents. But Acrobat 9 makes PDF documents more interactive.
You can now embed Flash videos and PowerPoint presentations in PDF files. You can also bundle pictures, Office files and PDFs in a single portfolio, easing the exchange of data.
Existing features also get improvements. As you would expect, Adobe continues to take document security seriously. It has improved document protections and redaction tools.
But improvements in workflow and collaboration may take the cake. That’s largely due to integration with Acrobat.com.
You can now embed Flash videos and PowerPoint presentations in PDF files. You can also bundle pictures, Office files and PDFs in a single portfolio, easing the exchange of data.
Existing features also get improvements. As you would expect, Adobe continues to take document security seriously. It has improved document protections and redaction tools.
But improvements in workflow and collaboration may take the cake. That’s largely due to integration with Acrobat.com.
Support for Flash Videos
Support for Flash is one of the most notable additions to Acrobat. It transforms dull PDF documents into interactive pages. With a few clicks, you can insert a video file into your document. Of course, videos on your hard drive aren’t likely to be in the Flash format. Fortunately, Acrobat 9 works with a variety of popular video formats.
MOV and WMV files are automatically converted to Flash videos. Advanced options let you select video skins and set the resolution.
Additionally, you can specify what actions trigger the video. You can also set chapter points and select a poster image for the video.
If you have a Flash application, it can also be embedded.
MOV and WMV files are automatically converted to Flash videos. Advanced options let you select video skins and set the resolution.
Additionally, you can specify what actions trigger the video. You can also set chapter points and select a poster image for the video.
If you have a Flash application, it can also be embedded.
PowerPoint Presentations
Acrobat 9 Pro Extended will convert PowerPoint presentations into a Flash file. This feature is not available in other versions.
By sharing presentations in PDF, you improve the presentation experience. You can add info on your presentation within the Flash file.
Viewers can learn about the presenter and read notes on the presentation. Presentations can be branded with company logos. They can also include photos of the presenter.
Acrobat lets you select the quality of the images and audio. You can also change the look of the file with themes.
Essentially, themes are templates for the finished file. However, you can customize the themes. Change colors, available panes and modify font style.
As with previous versions of Acrobat, you can still convert presentations to PDF files. PowerPoint presentations can also be published to the Web or Adobe Connect Pro.
By sharing presentations in PDF, you improve the presentation experience. You can add info on your presentation within the Flash file.
Viewers can learn about the presenter and read notes on the presentation. Presentations can be branded with company logos. They can also include photos of the presenter.
Acrobat lets you select the quality of the images and audio. You can also change the look of the file with themes.
Essentially, themes are templates for the finished file. However, you can customize the themes. Change colors, available panes and modify font style.
As with previous versions of Acrobat, you can still convert presentations to PDF files. PowerPoint presentations can also be published to the Web or Adobe Connect Pro.
Portfolios
You may want to share multiple PDF files. Or, you may want to include spreadsheets, Word documents and pictures with a PDF file.
In Acrobat 9 Pro and Acrobat 9 Pro Extended, you can create portfolios. Portfolios can include a wide range of files. In addition to Excel, Word and PowerPoint files, Flash files, JPEGs and InDesign files are supported.
Clicking a file in a portfolio opens in its default application automatically. In order to view Office documents, you will need to install Office 2007.
The Portfolio feature is a handy way to keep many documents related to a single project together. But it is more than that.
With Portfolios, you can walk readers through the documents. There are several display templates from which you can choose.
The templates can be modified to suit your tastes. You can insert background images and specify navigation options.
In Acrobat 9 Pro and Acrobat 9 Pro Extended, you can create portfolios. Portfolios can include a wide range of files. In addition to Excel, Word and PowerPoint files, Flash files, JPEGs and InDesign files are supported.
Clicking a file in a portfolio opens in its default application automatically. In order to view Office documents, you will need to install Office 2007.
The Portfolio feature is a handy way to keep many documents related to a single project together. But it is more than that.
With Portfolios, you can walk readers through the documents. There are several display templates from which you can choose.
The templates can be modified to suit your tastes. You can insert background images and specify navigation options.
Improved Forms
It is much easier to create forms in Acrobat 9 than in previous versions. When you convert a document to a form, Acrobat automatically looks for standard form fields.
Of course, you can easily add new form fields if Acrobat misses any. You can also modify ones Acrobat has inserted.
But the biggest improvement in forms is in how data is collected. You can map the data to a database. This makes it easier to work with form data. The data can be opened and sorted in Excel for easy manipulation.
You can host the form on your server or on Acrobat.com. When you do this, data is automatically added to the databases. You’ll also get notifications when someone completes the form, if you wish.
You can also email forms for completion. Opening a completed form automatically adds the data to your database.
Of course, you can easily add new form fields if Acrobat misses any. You can also modify ones Acrobat has inserted.
But the biggest improvement in forms is in how data is collected. You can map the data to a database. This makes it easier to work with form data. The data can be opened and sorted in Excel for easy manipulation.
You can host the form on your server or on Acrobat.com. When you do this, data is automatically added to the databases. You’ll also get notifications when someone completes the form, if you wish.
You can also email forms for completion. Opening a completed form automatically adds the data to your database.