If you’re a long-time Nitro Pro user, you’re probably already aware that our large ‘dot’ releases are usually much more than mere bug fixes. The brand-new release today is no exception. Along with the fixes and performance improvements we’ve implemented as a result of your feedback, the new Nitro PDF Professional 5.4 adds a lot of new features — big and small.
We highly recommend you upgrade immediately. If you want to learn more about 5.4 before downloading the upgrade, please read the full post below.
More accurate and flexible PDF-to-Word conversion
The exporting tools for converting PDF files into Microsoft Word and RTF have been significantly improved and extended for the 5.4 release. The key updates of note are:
- Editable layout mode. The all-new Editable mode gives you a new way to convert that makes the DOC or RTF files you create easier to edit. This mode focuses on making the output file as editable as possible and less on laying out the page as perfectly as the Visually Accurate mode. Instead of using text boxes (which can help get the layout very similar to the source PDF file), the ‘Editable’ mode uses columns and paragraph properties to recreate the page using Microsoft Word’s built-in layout tools. When you use this conversion mode, you’ll find that text wraps a lot better, is more editable, and paragraphs are separated using spacing instead of separate text boxes.
- Convert lines & shapes to bitmap images. Gives you a new way to handle graphical elements in a PDF file that are comprised of many shapes and drawing objects. For example, company logos, charts and graphs are often made of many paths and graphic objects, and exporting them accurately can be challenging. This new option gives you the ability to group these many objects and then convert them to the one bitmap-based graphic. If you’re planning to edit text and not the graphical elements in the Word or RTF file you create, then this option can be very handy.
- Paragraph detection accuracy.The biggest technical challenge behind exporting PDF to Word/RTF is detecting where lines end, and paragraphs begin and end. Behind the scenes we’ve continued to refine our conversion engine to handle more kinds of layout designs, meaning the DOC/RTF files Nitro Pro 5.4 generates should be more consistent and easier to reuse.
Nitro PDF tab for Microsoft Office 2007
Continuing with the philosophy behind the ‘ribbon interface’ (used in both Nitro PDF Professional and Microsoft Office 2007), we’ve introduced a Nitro PDF ribbon tab that lets you complete creation tasks faster and easier. In particular, we’ve made it possible to create, secure and email all in the one task, instead of having to delve into the advanced settings each time you want to distribute secure PDF files. In addition, all of the most common settings you might change based on the file being converted are all accessible directly from the ribbon tab.
Form and JavaScript implementation
The forms and JavaScript capabilities have been re-built from the ground up. More dynamic, complex forms can now be designed and filled in with Nitro Pro, including forms with document actions and folder-level JavaScripts. Along with that, the entire interface for designing and editing forms has been improved, so most of your work can be done directly via the ribbon.
Stay tuned for more information on forms. We’ll be publishing an in-depth article on it in the next days.
Alignment tools for text, images, links, form field objects in PDF files
The new Alignment context tab lets you align, resize and update the spacing between the objects you have selected. With the Edit tool select any text and graphics on the page, the Edit Links tool any links, and the Edit All Fields tool any kind of fields on a page and then change the alignment and spacing. The context tab is designed predominantly for form designing, but works just as well when adjusting other types of objects.
Customizable digital signature appearance
While digital signatures have been possible for while in Nitro Pro, being able to customize their appearance has not. With 5.4 you can now create customized, reusable digital signatures that can include graphical elements, such as your company logo or handwritten signature.
Command-line PDF creation
Nitro Pro 5.4 gives you controls to open and/or create PDF files from the command line. Below are some examples:
Open PDF file
Open a PDF in Nitro Pro:
NitroPDF.exe C:\archived\report.pdf
Open an FDF file in Nitro Pro:
NitroPDF.exe C:\archived\somefile_data.fdf
Create PDF file
Convert file to PDF, but don’t open it:
NitroPDF.exe /CV C:\Temp\not-working\Rocca-Ankle.doc
Convert file to PDF, and then open it in Nitro Pro:
NitroPDF.exe /CV C:\Temp\not-working\Rocca-Ankle.doc /O
Product Improvement Program
The new Product Improvement Program (PIP) lets you help shape future Nitro PDF Professional releases. Nitro Pro 5.4 allows you to opt in to the program and share anonymous system info and usage data. By sharing this information you will help us improve the performance of Nitro Pro and guide the future direction of the product. To participate, click the Improvement Program option on the Help tab, or when prompted by the PIP dialog, click Yes to get involved — you can stop participating any time you like too.
- Read about the Product Improvement Program
- Review the PIP Privacy Policy
