Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREECNET Editors' note: The Download Now link will download a small installer file to your desktop. Remain online and double-click the installer to proceed with the actual download.
CNET Editors' review
Soda 3D Reader is Lulu Software's answer to Adobe Reader. While it may not be the most powerful Adobe alternative out there, it does have some nice features and unique 3D functionality that make it worth a look.
The program's interface is clean and inviting, with ribbon-style navigation that should be familiar to Microsoft Office 2010 users. The tabs at the top act as your main menu, with submenus that open up beneath them as you click. And along the left, there's a page preview pane, if you choose to enable it. The program's controls are intuitive, and overall it performs impressively, as it opens up and zips around PDF files fairly quickly.
When you're viewing PDF files, Soda has you covered. It does the basics like zoom, full-screen, continuous view, and multiple-page view very well. But its biggest selling point is obviously its unique 3D View option. This patent-pending technology presents PDF files like a book, allowing you to grab and manipulate a page just as you might in the physical world. While this may not be a particularly useful feature, it does add some visual flavor to what might otherwise be a drab PDF file. Plus, when viewing digital comic books (Soda can open CBR and CBZ files as well), this 3D view makes for a uniquely immersive experience.
But Soda 3D Reader doesn't stop at viewing PDF files, it also creates them. Just hit the Create PDF tab at the top, and you'll see a row of buttons that lets you create from a variety of file types, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Plus, it can plug into your browsers and Microsoft Office so you can create directly from those programs.
Unfortunately, Soda cannot edit or otherwise annotate PDF files. Clicking on any of these tools brings up an upgrade window, prompting you to step up to one of Soda's premium paid options. This puts Soda 3D Reader at a significant disadvantage when compared with some other free readers out there, namely Nitro.
Overall, we think Soda 3D Reader is a solid offering that's a great alternative to Adobe Reader. It's fast and easy to use, plus it has a nifty 3D View and can create PDF files. However, it cannot edit or annotate PDF files, which could be a deal-breaker for many.
Publisher's Description
From LULU Software:
New with version 5.0: New Design; Annotations tools included: Highlight, Underline, Strikethrough; possibility to open a PDF from a URL; Save Page Rotation feature; Right to left reading mode; Full Screen mode option at start up; Bookmarks : Open a document at the last page read... Soda PDF 3D Reader will change the way you look at PDF documents! With this absolutely free application you can open and read any PDF file in 3D and flip the pages just like a real book using our patent pending 3D technology. Browse through e-books, magazines, catalogues and even comic books (.cbr and .cbz) in amazing 3D. Create PDF documents quickly and easily from over 300 file formats including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and any application that prints. Soda�???�??�?�® PDF 3D Reader integrates into your web browser allowing you to view PDF files online and create PDFs instantly from any HTML page and with the MicrosoftTM Office plugin, you can create PDFs in just one click. Soda�???�??�?�® PDF 3D Reader is 100% compatible with all PDF files and its powerful tools make it easy to open, view, create and print PDF documents.
Key Features: Open, view and print PDF files. View any PDF file in 3D without transformation of the file. Create PDF from Word, Excel and 300+ formats (registration required). Review PDFs using annotation tools. Read digital comic book files in 3D (.cbr and .cbz). Browse catalogs, e-books, magazines on your PC. Search Text and snapshot features. Use customizable viewing options, including Full Screen.
What's new in this version: Version 5.0.15: New Design; Annotations tools included: Highlight, Underline, Strikethrough; possibility to open a PDF from a URL; Save Page Rotation feature; Right to left reading mode; Full Screen mode option at start up; Bookmarks : Open a document at the last page read; and more...
More Popular Document Management Software downloads
- Adobe Reader XI
18,925 downloads
- Free PDF to Word
6,005 downloads
- Office Convert PDF to JPG JPEG TIFF Free
5,174 downloads
- PDF ReDirect
4,663 downloads
- JPG to PDF Converter
4,203 downloads
- FreeOCR
4,048 downloads
- PDF-XChange Viewer
2,716 downloads
- Image to PDF Converter Free
2,593 downloads
- MagicBerry
1,765 downloads
-
All versions:
3.4 starsout of 17 votes
-
Current version:
0 stars Be the first to review this product -
My rating:
Write review
-
"Convert to text is useless"
Version: Soda PDF 3D Reader 5.0.6.8383
Pros
An alternative to Adobe
Cons
I needed it to be able to work with text that I received in a pdf document. Just viewing the document the headlines were distorted, which seems strange. Converting to Word or txt formats failed completely: Not one word was scanned correctly.
Summary
Useless for text extraction from .pdf
Could be great for other purposes, but I wouldn't know. -
"This product is a scam!"
Version: Soda PDF 3D Reader 5.0.6.8383
Pros
Get you with free.
Cons
Entice you with cheap full feature software, total cost with disk is $85. BUT, it won't install. Call tech support and they want to "provide support" for all your computers for $600 a year. No thanks.
Summary
Don't fall for it!
-
"Doesn't work as well as it hints at"
Version: Soda PDF 3D Reader 2.0.8.6725
Pros
The book page feature is nice
Cons
Won't read Cbz despite it saying is does
Wants your e-mail to activate free featuresSummary
I downloaded this to read cbz files, however I couldn't get that feature to work so I'm likely going uninstall this.
-
"This is the best of many PDF readers I have used do far"
Version: Soda PDF 3D Reader 2.0.8.6725
Pros
This is just so user friendly. Each page is literally a page you turn as in a book. It takes away the bordom
Cons
Have haven't as yet discovered anything to criticise about this program
Summary
If you don't want to create and edit PDFs this is just perfect. It brings the PDFs to life. I paid for the 2012 version that allows me to produce and edit PDFs but was disapppointed to find it wasn't 3D. So, I use the 3D as default reader and 2012 for creating and editing PDFs.
-
"I loved the 3D animation"
Version: Soda PDF 3D Reader 2012
Pros
Free tools with registration, nice look, good conversion to word.
Cons
Slow... The internet explorer plug-in is far from being optimal. I had to disable the plug-in
-
"This is a great PDF reader"
Version: Soda PDF 3D Reader 2012
Pros
This application is fast and easy to install. It is also lightweight and doesn't slow down my PC like some other PDF readers that I have tried. The program launches quickly and has a nice amount of features for a free application. The 3D view feature is a cool feature that I have used more often than I would have expected.
Cons
So far so good
Summary
I have always used Adobe for reading PDFs but I was getting annoyed at its sluggish performance and overall drain on my PC. Considering my PDF needs are pretty simple, I could no longer put up with it. Soda has proven to be very efficient and is quite suitable for my needs.
-
"runs easily"
Version: Soda PDF 3D Reader 2012
Pros
visually nice, clever concept
Cons
a bit difficult to navigate and understand how it works
Summary
I will use this for some time to determine how much I like it.
-
"Great Adobe Reader alternative"
Version: Soda PDF 3D Reader 2012
Pros
I read a lot of documents on my computer, and the 3D view makes it more fun.
PDF creation is fast.
Glad to see a reader that has extra features.Cons
So far none. If I find any, I'll do another post.
-
"To sum up with one word, great!"
Version: Soda PDF 3D Reader 2012
Pros
The features I liked the most about are:- The idea of simulating a real page is plus. Keeps all files previously viewed ready for next viewing. Fast search and clicking one from the results list takes you to the location on the page. Clear navigation, looks good and is easy on the eye.
Cons
The only cons I could think of is that there is only one size to view pages with the animation effect unless viewed Fullscreen mode. The moment you zoom in you loose that cool animation. But it's no biggie you can still have that effect on Fullscreen mode anyway.
Summary
All in all, love it love it love it. My pdf files I usually read are all in one place. One click and the file is ready for read. Excellent!
-
"Good PDF Reader"
Version: Soda PDF 3D Reader 2012
Pros
Good features; 3D View, Full screen. Seems to work pretty fast, can handle my typical PDF tasks.
Cons
I have only had been using it for about a week and have not had any issues with it.
Summary
After re-installing Windows, I decided to try a PDF reader other than Adobe. Soda has been a nice alternative. It works well and has some nice features like 3D and full screen view. This reader does what it says and is perfect for my needs.
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Previous Versions:
