A professional engineer often has to collaborate with others.  And regardless if it is a proposal in the early stages of a project, or a final design there is often continued discussion and feedback in regard the project.  So, some means of communicating questions, comments, and changes is needed.  Assuming that all parties involved have AutoCAD (or some other specific design tool) is not realistic.  Free DXF / DWG viewers are available – and they are good – but this is not always an option either – especially for the less computer savvy. 

So why not PDF files?  Well, while this does make it easy for anyone to open, view, and print, the problem is that for most it is not possible to annotate or “mark up” those PDF files with comments or corrections without expensive software from ADOBE.  Until now…  enter the free PDF-XChange Viewer from Tracker Software Products Ltd.  This United Kingdom based company has produced one of the most useful free software utilities anyone (including engineers) could want in a PDF viewer.  The key is that this is really much more than a “viewer” – it allows you to add to a PDF file!

This tool is free for private and commercial use, provided it is not bundled with other software or for financial gain

Some of the outstanding features include:

• Add comments and annotations to any PDF file (subject to security settings)   This can be done via “Sticky Notes,” “Text Boxes,” or “Typewriter”  The Sticky Notes don’t have to be printed (and can be left “small” until expanded).  The text boxes are always there and their appearance can be customized.  And the Typewriter mode allows one to type anywhere on the document. 
• Add & apply custom stamps from any image or PDF File.   This is a great way to add DRAFT or FOR REVIEW – or even your company logo – quickly to a document.
• Type directly on any PDF page, not just Adobe enabled forms documents – in Typewriter mode.
• Navigation large or complex PDF files with the extended functionality of the ‘Loupe’ and the ‘Pan’ Window tools (these are useful for blue prints and other design documents)
• Fill and Save Adobe Forms to disk.  This is a great way to make a quick form – or to save a completed form.

Select this link for the PDF X-CHANGE VIEWER web site

This entry was posted on Friday, March 13th, 2009 at 7:33 pm and is filed under Tools. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.