4 Replies Latest reply: Apr 20, 2010 3:10 PM by DianeMarieDennis RSS

    Why/When should I use Distiller?

    DianeMarieDennis Community Member

      Hello!

       

      I am on Mac 10.5.8 using Distiller 9.0.0 and Acrobat 9.0.0 ...

       

      I create documents in Microsoft WORD and then I convert them to PDF and make them fill-in-able & save-able after being filled in, and then I distribute them to users (both Windows and Macintosh users) who need them.

       

      Currently, after I create the WORD document, I then click on Print and in the Print window it gives me a few options including a PDF drop-down menu that includes an option "Save as PostScript".

       

      I have been choosing that option, then opening Distiller and dragging the .ps file to the Distiller window to convert it to PDF, then making the PDF fill-in-able and save-able.

       

      My questions are...

       

      Do I HAVE to use the Distiller or can I choose the choice in the PDF drop-down menu that says "Save as PDF" and then make it fill-in-able and save-able?

       

      Will the PDF form lose any function, will it work on both Windows and Mac, is there anything I need to be worried about that would say that I HAVE to use the Distiller?

       

      Thank you so much for any help!!

       

      Diane Dennis

        • 1. Re: Why/When should I use Distiller?
          ~graffiti CommunityMVP

          If you are using the "print" function then you should have an "Adobe PDF Printer" in there to choose. You won't need to go to postscript first if you choose that. Distiller will run in the background and create your PDF.

           

          The dropdown for "Save as PDF" is a Mac function that doesn't include Acrobat. It may be fine for some but doesn't have the controls like the PDF printer/distiller so it won't work for others.

          • 2. Re: Why/When should I use Distiller?
            DianeMarieDennis Community Member

            Hi!

             

            Thank you for your response.  I went back to the thread but it says

            ³Possibly Answered² and I can¹t find a reply button so I¹m having to reply

            by replying to this email...

             

            The question isn¹t ³Possibly Answered² yet, although I do very much

            appreciate your help. =)

             

            When I use the print function, I get the following options in the ³PDF²

            drop-down menu:

             

            Save as PDF...

            Save as PostScript...

            Fax PDF...

            Mail PDF

            Save as PDF-X

            Save PDF to iPhoto

            Save PDF to Web Receipts Folder

            Edit Menu...

             

            However, I took a look at the ³Printer² drop-down menu and I have the

            following options:

             

            Adobe PDF 9.0

            Epson Stylus C88

            Epson Stylus C88 @ Diane¹s computer

            Add Printer...

            Printer and Fax Preferences...

             

            Is that 'Adobe PDF 9.0' in the 'Printer' drop-down menu what you are

            referring to when you say 'Adobe PDF Printer'?

             

            Thank you very much!!

            Diane

            -

             

            Edited by host to remove email addresses and to fix quotes.

            • 3. Re: Why/When should I use Distiller?
              MichaelKazlow CommunityMVP

              Yes the Adobe PDF 9.0 is what is being referred to. BTW, is there are reason you have not upgraded to 9.3.x. There are many fixes available at no cost.

              • 4. Re: Why/When should I use Distiller?
                DianeMarieDennis Community Member

                Hi Michael!

                 

                Thank you for clearing that up for me! =)

                 

                About the update/upgrade...

                 

                The only reason I haven't is because I always have so many troubles with

                updates/upgrades (not just with Adobe although I do remember one update with

                Adobe in an earlier version caused me to have to uninstall the entire

                program and then reinstall the "un"-updated version because the update

                caused lots of problems for me).

                 

                I pretty much avoid updates/upgrades until I've found online enough people

                no longer complaining about bugs in an update/upgrade (not that I often have

                time to search that out hence I usually go for a while without

                updating/upgrading)...

                 

                Do you know if there are any bugs in the updated version, and if so, have

                they been fixed?  I just shudder to think about going through all that

                again, especially since my business is 100% based on selling PDF forms.

                 

                Thank you again Michael (and ~graffiti)!

                Diane

                --

                Diane Dennis

                http://www.Construction-Business-Forms.com

                 

                 

                From: MichaelKazlow <forums@adobe.com>

                Reply-To: <clearspace-1019141228-9747-2-2751301@mail.forums.adobe.com>

                Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:56:16 -0600

                To: Diane Dennis <diane@thecontractorsgroup.com>

                Subject: Why/When should I use Distiller?

                 

                Yes the Adobe PDF 9.0 is what is being referred to. BTW, is there are reason

                you have not upgraded to 9.3.x. There are many fixes available at no cost.

                >