Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
PDF files are a common format for most businesses today. However, altering and creating fresh PDFs remains a mystery for many people. PDFill PDF Tools hopes to make this process simpler with a number of options, but the busy interface may overwhelm less experienced users.
This freeware program has a cluttered interface that will take some studying and experimentation to master. However, all the elements serve a purpose, and many will look familiar to those who have used a word-processing program. The screen looks very much like Microsoft Word's display, with a ruler running down the side and familiar buttons for saving, creating, printing, and fonts along the top. Along the left side are a string of icons with tools for creating PDF-specific tools like check boxes, drop-down menus, radio buttons, and more. The right side of the screen features icons that help give PDFs a professional sheen, by sizing and balancing the page with various tools. Along the bottom are still more buttons; these allow users to do everything from drawing text boxes, highlighting text, or even adding videos.
PDFill allows users to alter existing PDFs or create documents from scratch. One of its most unique aspects is the helpful hints. When our test PDF opened, it contained no fillable fields and offered to show us how to create them. Boxes pop up regularly throughout and offer other helpful hints.
The only negative is PDFill's crowded interface. With all four sides covered in buttons, it can get overwhelming. However, with a little practice we think that anyone can create and alter PDFs using this excellent download.
Publisher's Description
From PlotSoft:
Free PDF Tools to Merge, Split, Reorder, Encrypt, Decrypt, Rotate, Crop, Reformat, Header, Footer, Watermark, Images to PDF, PDF to Images, Form Fields Delete/Flatten/List, PostScript to PDF, PDF Information, Scan to PDF, and Create Transparent Image.
Merge two or more PDF files into a single PDF file; Extract or Reorder pages from a PDF file into a new file;Encrypt or Decrypt PDF documents with 40 or 128 bit Encryption;Rotate pages by 90, 180, and 270 degree;Crop a page to modify its layout of Print or View by specifying its margins;Put multiple pages into one page to save paper and inks when printing hard copies with note lines for handout;Add Headers and Footers to present information, such as date, time, page numbers, or the title of the document, in the top or bottom margins of a document;Add stamp using a formatted text in your international language;Add Stamp using image file (bmp, jpg, gif, png, tiff, and wmf);Convert images (bmp, jpg, gif, png, tiff, and wmf) into a PDF file with layout options;Convert PDF pages into images (png, jpg, bmp and tiff) with DPI options;Delete, Flatten or List the PDF Form Fields inside a PDF file; Convert Postscript file into PDF;Add information (Title, Author, Subject, Keywords, Created, Creator, Producer and Version) to the PDF document;Scan your Paper Form or Photo into images (PNG, JPG, BMP, TIF and GIF) or PDF;Create a transparent image with options to adjust one Color and the left Colors' transparency.
What's new in this version: Version 9.0 has a lot of bugs fixed; supports Big PDF, more free options, and supports 32 and 64 bit.
More Products to Consider
-
Print to PDF from Windows applications and optimize the PDF out... -
Open, view, and print any PDF file. -
View DWG, DXF, and DWF drawings. -
Simplify design process and gain better control over placement ... -
Transform any printable document into PDF format. -
Convert PDF to Word file format. -
Create, visualize, document, and share your CAD projects. -
Transfer PDF files and objects to OneNote. -
Concatenate and extract PDF files. -
Open, view, edit, and save PDF files without Adobe Acrobat. -
View all the Fonts installed on PC. -
Open, view, and convert Adobe PDF files. -
Get a graphic tool that provides a standard for typesetting mat... -
Create Adobe PDF files with the push of a button. -
Plot geographic information system data. -
Create assemblies up to 60 parts and design product parts on PC... -
Create 3D models and upload them to Google Earth. - Apply text watermarks to your pictures.
-
Write PDF documents from any application. -
Batch Convert PDF to MS Word DOC, DOCX, DOCM, RTF formats. -
Convert PDF files to JPEG, BMP, PNG, and TIFF files easily. -
Create Flash interactive maps in WYSIWYG environment. -
Convert a pack of JPG images to a PDF document. -
Convert PDF to most applications.
-
All versions:
3.7 starsout of 149 votes
-
Current version:
3.5 starsout of 29 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Buggy and spyware-filled. Doesn't work at all."
Version: PDFill Free PDF Tools 9.0
Pros
None. It gives error codes.
Cons
Three separate times, I told it NO to adding "funmoods". It installed it anyway. I uninstalled funmoods, removed it from the registry (it left a large amount of garbage in the registry), and then tried to run the program. It claimed I needed Java, despite having the newest version of Java.
DO NOT INSTALL THIS PROGRAM!Summary
It's simply an advertising engine for "funmoods" and performs no useful function at all.
-
"Great application to use with a scanner"
Version: PDFill Free PDF Tools 9.0
Pros
If you're looking for a PDF application to use with a scanner, then this is the one for you.
Cons
The only con is that the interface is a little quirky. Otherwise, this is a super application.
-
""Print" to image files and PDFs with perfect scaling"
Version: PDFill Free PDF Tools 9.0
Pros
Quick install, easy to use, does what I need
Cons
none for me
Summary
I use TurboCAD to design sewing patterns, and I need for the images to be scaled exactly for transfer into Photoshop. Before I found PDFill Free PDF Tools, I was using quite a few tools to rig this process.
PDFill Free PDF Tools greatly simplifies this by enabling me to "print" to an image file. I also use it to create the final PDF's for the patterns by simply "printing" to PDF format. Everything is scaled perfectly.
This is a great tool, and I highly recommend it. -
"Bad reviews are a WARNING!"
Version: PDFill Free PDF Tools 9.0
Pros
I find no positives.
Free is free, period.
Watermarks are not free software!Cons
This is a scam.
-
"it works and has the various options I need"
Version: PDFill Free PDF Tools 9.0
Pros
After installing, I used the basic functions: split an existing document into segments and then merge 2 documents (to get a signature page with actual signatures onto the original document); the steps were logical and the software worked as designed vs a couple of other "free to download" ones
I found the user interface logical and easy to followCons
some reviews found the interface complex; I did not
Summary
provides the basic needs for managing simple PDF files in a logical and workable manner
-
"Combines PDFs to Make Your Own PDF Books & Study Guides"
Version: PDFill Free PDF Tools 9.0
Pros
Until I found this program, I was trying to decide between PDF tools costing hundreds of dollars to do some of the sophisticated PDF manipulation I wanted to do. Then I found PDFill PDF Tools and was blown away!! The publisher's website lists an incredible 15 things that this tight little program can do for you. And it's the first free PDF tool I've seen that can do so much! (I've tried several of these features and they work exactly as described. In fact, using only PDFill PDF Tools and my scanner, I published two different "20th Anniversary" PDF editions of my ID Project Management Book. So I know it works great!)
Cons
If you want fancy icons or graphics as your user interface then maybe this program isn't for you. In fact, I found the UI easy and clean... but then I like simple stuff! I guess I can't find anything wrong. (see Summary below)
Summary
My bottom line is this: It's powerful and it will accomplish professional-looking results that you can only accomplish with programs costing hundreds of dollars. So the decision is a no-brainer! If you need to combine and/or manipulate the finished appearance and structure of multiple PDF files, then this is the tool for you!
FYI: I wrote a full glowing review, with graphic illustration of UI, at my Best Free Training website. It's titled: "Combine PDFs to Make Your Own PDF Books & Study Guides with "PDFill PDF Tools." Here's the URL: http://www.bestfreetraining.net/?p=3378 -
"best for converting"
Version: PDFill Free PDF Tools 9.0
Pros
best for converting
Cons
best for converting
Summary
best for converting
-
"Not free and crashes"
Version: PDFill Free PDF Tools 9.0
Pros
none really
Cons
watermarks PDF files and you have to buy to stop this.
When I try and merge 2 PDFs it just crashes,Summary
If it worked I probably would have bought it but would be happier if they did not say it was free when it clearly isnt.
-
"What a snap to use."
Version: PDFill Free PDF Tools 9.0
Pros
I simply needed a tool to split the pages of some pdf files and to recombine separate pdf files into a single one. Easiest process ever!
Cons
I haven't tried any other features so I cannot comment on the whole tool.
-
"Avoid to install"
Version: PDFill Free PDF Tools 9.0
Pros
No one I can see
Cons
1) It doesn't run on Vista
2) It request Java VM, but it is not specified
3) Some edited PDf file is watermarked unless you pay!
Sorry to say, but this is not an honest policy.
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Previous Versions:
