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    Best pdf annotator editor programs ?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by wearetheborg, Jul 16, 2008.

  1. wearetheborg

    wearetheborg Notebook Virtuoso

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    I'm looking for a program that will allow me to underline, highlight, annotate pdf files (mainly papers). I will mostlikely use the software with a USB pen tablet.

    The software need not be free, I am however eligible for educational discounts.

    Linux compatibility will be a huge bonus.

    Any recommendations ?

    Does Adobe Acrobat 9 professional do these things ? I can get it for ~$70

    A google search gave:
    http://www.ograhl.com/en/pdfannotator/ (~$30)

    http://www.bluebeam.com/web07/us/products/tablet/?src=910 (~$30))

    There is nitro:
    http://www.nitropdf.com
    But I was not able to find any edu discounts.
     
  2. stewie

    stewie What the deuce?

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    I just double checked, Acrobat 9 Pro and Extended versions do have the comment and annotation functions, but it doesn't look like they're specifically designed for a tablet like the Bluebeam PDF Revu. If you're using a pen, then maybe you will be better off getting something like the Bluebeam PDF Revu. And the Nitro PDF looks to have most of the features from both Acrobat 9 Pro and Bluebeam PDF Revu.
     
  3. wearetheborg

    wearetheborg Notebook Virtuoso

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    Hmmm Nitropdf seems to be available for $80....
     
  4. Gintoki

    Gintoki Notebook Prophet

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    Not sure there is one, it's like PDF Editors, it just doesn't exist for free and especially for Linux. Your best bet is to try out OOo 3 beta and edit PDF's using that since it's a new feature.
     
  5. adla

    adla Newbie

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    There is a PDF editor / annotator called PDF Studio that works on Windows, Linux and Mac. It's not free but reasonably priced and they have students discount ($48 instead of $60). Link PDF Studio.
     
  6. facadegeniality

    facadegeniality Notebook Consultant

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    foxit pdf reader?

    not sure abt the tablet though
     
  7. paul_r_d

    paul_r_d Notebook Consultant

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    I use Nitro- recently got the newest version and its taken on a MS Office 2007 GUI. I can't fault it. Its great as it also integrates with Office.
     
  8. wearetheborg

    wearetheborg Notebook Virtuoso

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    Crap, they raised the bluebeam revu educational price from $30 to $75 :(
    Thats a big increase...
     
  9. darrickmartin

    darrickmartin Notebook Evangelist

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    pdf xchange viewer can annotate for free
     
  10. wearetheborg

    wearetheborg Notebook Virtuoso

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    Hmm, it doesnt seem to eb able to highlight, or put text right in the pdf (I want othe annotations to be viewable in other readers).
     
  11. FrankTabletuser

    FrankTabletuser Notebook Evangelist

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    • Acrobat - for proper ink support you need a plugin-in
    • Grahl PDF Annotator - has only basic features, does crash with large PDF files, saves ink as bitmap layer for other PDF viewers, misses some important features (split view, better search, edit PDF)
    • Jarnal - works both with Windows and Linux. Comparable to Grahl PDF Annotator, but free
    • Bluebeam PDF Revu - a full Acrobat replacement, PDF viewer, editor and a PDF printer. It's my primary PDF software at the moment. Sadly they increased the price, still it has the most and best PDF annotating features, and compared with other PDF software the $70 is still not too expensive. In a few days they'll release version 7.
    • Nitro PDF - Never tried it, but according to their screen shots does it only support basic PDF annoating tools, just as Acrobat does.
     
  12. wearetheborg

    wearetheborg Notebook Virtuoso

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    Jarnal seems worth exploring on linux :)
    I tried it, but I could not save annotated files as pdf, I seem to need the JAI library. I need to figure out how to install it.