One of the most frequently asked questions that we get at PDFzone is what the best way is to create a PDF file. To answer that question, we put together this guide to working with Adobe Acrobat and PDF in order to enable you to create a PDF file.

How do I create a PDF file?
There are currently 5 main ways to create a PDF file.

Adobe Acrobat - Adobe Acrobat is the cornerstone of the Acrobat family of products--it enables you to create PDF files. There are currently three versions of the product - Acrobat Professional, Acrobat Standard and Acrobat Elements.

PDF Writer - emulates a printer driver and converts the GDI or Quickdraw commands from Windows and Macintosh applications to PDF documents. PDF Writer is intended for desktop applications.

Acrobat Distiller- acts as a PostScript interpreter that can be used to convert PostScript to PDF. Distiller is intended to be used to create PDF files containing high-end print publishing features.

Acrobat Capture - is a Microsoft Windows OLE server Application that is designed for the batch conversion of image files to PDF and the recognition of the text to create searchable text PDF files.

Third-party software - a variety of PDF software tools convert documents "on the fly" to create PDF files. See the PDFzone Toolbox for more info.

Related questions

What are Plug-ins?
Plug-ins are dynamically-linked extensions to Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Acrobat Reader. These programs add greater functionality to the products that they plug-in to.

Where can I find some Plug-ins?
Our list of PDF software and plug-ins is a good place to start.