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Idea #7385: Provide a decent PDF editor

Written by filipf the 22 Apr 08 at 05:51. Category: Office. Related project: Nothing/Others. Status: New
Rationale
One application that I'm really missing on my Ubuntu box is a PDF editor. Sometimes I need to fill out (and save) a form, sometimes touch up some text, sometimes add some free-hand drawings to the document.
PDFEditor is one option, but it's been pretty slow and buggy. Plus the interface is not easy to use.
Is there anything else that would allow users to edit PDFs?
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242
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #7385
Written by filipf the 22 Apr 08 at 05:51.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #7385 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!
6
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Solution #2: Upgrade PDFEdit for adding text & images
Written by coburn the 10 Mar 09 at 16:05.
'Auto-generated solution' isn't going to gather many votes.

Biggest problem with PDFEdit is inability to add text or graphics or move text or graphics around in a pdf file.

Kword converts the pdf files to text docs first, so formatting gets messed up.
Inkscape only imports the very first page of the pdf file.

There are many applications for Windoze that allow intuitive and easy adding and moving around of text and images to pdf files. Many users are having to run wine in order to take care of PDF manipulation as a result.

PDFedit can:
- Combine 2 documents into a new document: Tools > Insert pages from other document
- Remove a page from a file: From the "Tree" tab to the right of a document, highlight a page, "Remove page"

Propose your solution

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Comments
bikeboy wrote on the 22 Apr 08 at 07:59
It's not Ubuntu's job to write software (other than some configuration tools and things like that).

When a good pdf editor is available, Ubuntu will package it - if you ask nicely. In the meantime, you'll have to wait until somebody has both the skills and the interest, or better yet, donate to the pdfedit developers.

yzarc wrote on the 22 Apr 08 at 09:00
inkscape can edit pdf :)

filipf wrote on the 22 Apr 08 at 14:30
I think we should all donate to PDFEdit. I know I will =)

sam wrote on the 22 Apr 08 at 18:16
You can edit PDF in upcoming OpenOffice 3.

In Ubuntu 8.04 there is a program called flpsed(get it from Synaptic), that you can use to fill out form(meaning; do basic stuff).
"One has to first convert the pdf to postscript, then edit. But the flpsed program allows direct export of the edited file to pdf. Limited font set and sizes, but other than that it's a great solution."

redd wrote on the 22 Apr 08 at 21:15
This is already implemented in Hardy. Look at the release notes: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardyHeron/RC

4.2.8 Inkscape

Inkscape 0.46, which is available in the Universe repository, is a major update that introduces native PDF support, providing an easy, open source solution to editing text and graphics in PDF documents. Users will appreciate being able to draw up flyers, posters, and other documents, save them as PDF (or as the native .svg) in inkscape, and send them to a print shop for printing without ever leaving Ubuntu or loading a proprietary tool.

filipf wrote on the 23 Apr 08 at 04:23
WOW - Inkscape works very well for PDF editing. I just spend 2 hours with it and am very happy =) Definitively recommend.

Yet still it'd be nice to have a text (rather than graphics) centric PDF editor. Hopefully OOo 3 will bring this to the community.

gmatht wrote on the 25 Apr 08 at 15:54
Perhaps evince should have an "edit this pdf" button that links to inkscape.

ændrük wrote on the 12 May 08 at 17:44
I want to second bikeboy's comment. The sad state of things is that there currently aren't any 'decent' PDF editors out there.

Inkscape works, PDFEdit kind of works, and so do a myriad of other utilities and methods out there, but none of them yet really fulfill the role of user-friendly application ready for integration into the everyday desktop environment.

pierre.slamich@gmail.com wrote on the 27 Jun 08 at 17:19
http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/300.html#preview
Have a look at how it's handled on Leopard. Drag and drop in the viewer.

maria.pdffiller wrote on the 8 Jul 08 at 17:15
What do you think about www.PDFfiller.com? It has nothing common with ubuntu forums, but it can help you with pdf filling problem. It fast, easy and you don`t have to install any additional software what is a plus. )) Hopefully you will find this information useful. )


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