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How To Create a PDF File in Acrobat Distiller

By Jacci Howard Bear, About.com

Adobe Acrobat Distiller is the most reliable way to create a PDF file. Start with a PostScript file to generate a basic PDF document for email, disk, or Web sharing. This How to is for Acrobat 3 for Windows.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: NA

Here's How:

  1. Start With PostScript File. From your original program save your document as a PostScript (*.ps) file.

  2. Run Distiller. Start Acrobat Distiller to begin creating your PDF file.

  3. Set Job Options. Select Distiller | Job Options (Ctrl + J).

  4. Adjust Settings. Accept the Default settings or make any required changes such as resolution or amount of compression wanted for your PDF file then click OK.

  5. Open PostScript File. Select File | Open (Ctrl + O) and locate then select your PostScript *.ps file. Click on Open. A new screen appears.

  6. Name PDF File. Give your PDF file a name (or accept the default) then click Save. PDF file generation begins immediately.

  7. Correct Any Errors. If Distiller reports errors, go back to your original file to correct errors before generating a new *.ps file to distill.

Tips:

  1. Under Job Options (Step 3) specify Acrobat 2.1 compatibility if you expect many readers to be using older versions of the Acrobat Reader.

  2. The time required to actually generate the PDF file (Step 7) varies with the size and complexity of the original document. The Acrobat Distiller screen shows a progress indicator.

What You Need:

  • Adobe Acrobat Distiller
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