"Key Features and Benefits
Adobe has enhanced Acrobat in a variety of ways to make it much easier to create PDF files, use Web content, re-use content within a PDF file, annotate and secure documents, and create press ready files for print production. Following are the key features and benefits of Adobe Acrobat 4.0.
Convert Files into Adobe PDF Easily
Users can now convert files into PDF by simply dragging and dropping the file onto the Acrobat icon. Additionally, the new Adobe PDFMaker utility (included with Acrobat) allows users to convert Word, Excel or Microsoft PowerPoint files into PDF from within those applications.
Capture and Download Fully Formatted Web Pages
For the first time, users can download, annotate, scale, reliably print, and easily distribute fully formatted web pages-even entire web sites-within one application. Acrobat's new Web Capture tool quickly converts live web pages into PDF files that preserve the pages' graphics, fonts, colors, and active hyperlinks.
Re-use Information Within PDF Files
Adobe has also updated the Adobe Portable Document Specification (PDF). This latest version, PDF 1.3, now supports high-end professional publishing features and hierarchical metadata structure. It is precisely this support of metadata in PDF that allows the re-use of information contained in a PDF file. For example, where security permits, users can extract text graphics, and table data from PDF files.
Review and Annotate Documents
In addition to adding sticky notes, the new version enables users to add stamps, text blocks and audio clips. Also, the author of the original document can easily summarize and review annotations by navigating and filtering a document based on its annotations.
Digitally Sign Documents
Adobe has expanded on Acrobat's current ability to secure documents. Acrobat 4.0 now supports digital signatures enabling users to authenticate and safeguard information by allowing authors and key personnel to "sign" electronic documents. A digital signature can also verify that a document has not been altered since it was sent.
Optimize PDF Files for Print Production Workflows
Adobe PDF is quickly becoming the file format of choice for delivering press ready files for print-production, and Acrobat 4.0 and Adobe PDF 1.3 offer enhanced features for graphic artists, publication designers, and pre-press and printing professionals. Acrobat 4.0 provides support for high-end features such as ICC profiles, full support for Adobe PostScript(R) 3(TM), and tools for making last-minute changes to text and graphics within a PDF file."
Acrobat is expected to ship in the second quarter of this year priced at US$249.