PDF documents are great when you want to share documents that will display in the same format when others open them, maybe on another platform such as a Mac device. Its also great to use when you want to add annotations, hyperlinks, or bookmarks and share them via email or on the Web. Whatever be the case, when you want to view or edit a PDF document, you usually look to programs like Adobe, the first name in PDF creation. Adobe in quite an expensive proposition, and for those of you looking for alternatives, I chanced upon a rather nifty free program called Nitro Reader 3, which I think you’ll love. Here is my review.
Nitro Reader 3: Review
Nitro Reader is a robust program packed with loads of good features. At the same time, it has a minimalistic interface that’s easy to use. In fact, if you are familiar with using an Office 2010 program, you will be right at home with Nitro Reader.
The Interface
Nitro Reader has a Ribbon type interface with three tabs; Home, Advanced and Help. You’ll find all frequently used commands at the most convenient place at the top of the document and useful contextual groups of commands when you work on text or images as the case may be. It also includes the Tabs feature which is ideal for users who work on multiple documents and frequently switch between them.
Creating Documents
Nitro Reader lets you create PDFs from over 300 different file types and from just about any Windows application. The tool features three preset modes for ready-made publishing such as for the Web, for Office, or for direct Printing. You can also customize the document with the appropriate fonts, page size and orientation to get the appropriate format you want.
Another cool way to create a document is to simply drag a file over the Nitro Reader desktop icon. Finally, you can print directly from the source file itself. Documents created using Nitro Reader are compatible with other PDF readers too.
Collaborative Tools
Nitro Reader offers useful collaborative features such as markup text, which lets you add comments to highlighted text, cross off text, or underline text. You can also add sticky notes to text and images within the document. Comments can also be sorted by type, page, author, color and more for easier editing and reviewing. You can also right-click on mark-ups for quick replies.
PDF Signatures
Signing PDF files is becoming more and more of a common phenomenon and QuickStep the signature feature in Nitro Reader lets you sign and return documents effortlessly. You can also create multiple profiles and password protect them. Another really nice feature of Nitro Reader is that you can return signed documents from within the tool itself using options in the File menu.
Community Support
Nitro Reader also has a robust community support forum where you can get help, answer questions and share ideas on all things PDF.
Nitro Reader: Complete PDF Goodness
Nitro Reader ought to be the best free PDF creator around. It is packed with powerful intuitive features that come in handy for all sorts of document viewing, creation and collaboration. The Nitro Reader Pro is packed with some premium features such as the ability to combine files, edit text, and convert to Word, and it comes with a free trial and a price tag. But for users who don’t need any of those functions Nitro Reader is all you need and more.
Check out Nitro Reader and tell us what you think of this nifty tool.
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