PDF Support in Applications

Abstract

In this chapter we will examine creating PDF files with various text, DTP and graphics programs. Of course, almost every program is “PDF capable” if you create PostScript output and run it through Acrobat Distiller. However, converting the data to PDF requires a lot of effort to insert the hypertext features using Exchange. If there are a large number of documents, or if the files need to be updated often, it is a good idea to specify as much PDF-relevant information as possible in the original document file. Ideally, these features (for example URLs for links to Web sites) are converted automatically to the corresponding PDF features. Adobe has defined the “pdfmark” PostScript operator which allows hypertext elements to be described in the PostScript code. Using pdfmark instructions, the PostScript data can be prepared so that Distiller will generate PDF files including links, bookmarks, and other hypertext elements — without the need for any post-processing in Exchange. A PDF-savvy program has two characteristics:

• It offers access in the user interface to functions for generating those hypertext features which are supported. These include internal links or URLs included in the document. Many DTP programs support such functions by default.

• When it outputs PostScript code, suitable pdfmark instructions to define these properties are included automatically. Programs which do this are still uncommon; several application can be enable with pluging or other extensions.