How To Create a PDF File

Creating a PDF File in Acrobat

PDF Files are an excellent way to transfer documents across the internet because they take up little space and everyone can use them by downloading a simple piece of free software. Most PDF documents start out as other types of documents, such as Word, Quark and other simple text files

The first step to creating a PDF file is to create a PostScript file from the document you wish to convert to a PDF.

To create a PostScript file on the Macintosh take the following steps:

Within any application, choose Print from the file menu.
Select the File option in the destination area of the Print dialog box and click the OK button.
Name the PostScript file and select a location for it and save.

To create a PostScript file in a Windows environment, take the following steps:

Within any application, choose Print from the file menu.
Click the Setup button in the Print dialog box.
Click the Properties button in the Page Setup dialog box. The Properties for the printer will be displayed.
Click on the Postscript tab.
Choose the Encapsulated Postscript (EPS) option from the pop-up menu.
Click OK to exit the page setup box.
Click OK in the Print Dialog box and the PostScript file will be created.

Now that you've created a PostScript file, you can turn it into a PDF file. Here's how you do it.

To create a PDF file with Acrobat Distiller (Mac and Windows):

Select the PostScript file that you would like to convert to a PDF file.
Drag the PostScript file on top of the Acrobat Distiller icon.
Acrobat Distiller will automatically convert your PostScript file into a PDF file. For example a PostScript file called "file.ps" would now be saved as "file.pdf"

Go to the Computer Tips Main Page