The PDF file and data format developed by Adobe and in most cases accessed by the Adobe Acrobat application is a wonderful piece of software. It has become the worldwide standard for transfer of finished format page files of text and graphics, and is supported by almost every piece of software for handling page files. PDF has become the documentation standard for almost every software application, and has also become the standard for transfer of paged files in most areas of business. In this it enhances programs like Microsoft Word, the world’s standard text editor, as a means of delivering files that can be read on almost any computer. The key for PDF is that with the free PDF reading programs, in particular Adobe’s Acrobat Reader, PDF files can be read on computers running a wide variety of operating systems, regardless of what program and operating system were used to create the original file. Microsoft is planning its Metro format for release in 2006 that will do many of the things handled by PDF, but it will not replace PDF. This is because of lack of functionality and the massive acceptance of PDF as the format of choice for all applications where total accuracy of reading paged files in terms of style, format, fonts and graphics is required.

In the graphic arts industry, PDF is the absolute total standard for file transfer in many areas, and also for output of finished pages. Today a very large proportion of advertisements are supplied in made up form in PDF format. Delivery of finished pages ready for print is rapidly moving to PDF.

PDF is an evolving standard that has progressively improved from when it first appeared. It now handles all the requirements for high quality print production, while also supporting most of the needs for delivery of finished documents to be read via the World Wide Web. While it lacks the interactivity available in presentation using HTML, it gives the totally accurate representation of the finished printed page that is required by many users. In graphic arts PDF is now being seen as the required approach for most soft proofing applications.