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Using and Creating PDFs on Mac OS X

Reading and creating PDF files on a computer is a pretty basic function, but has always required Adobe's Acrobat or Reader software. With Mac OS X, PDF functionality is built in to the system.

Mac OS X comes with an application called Preview, which can be used to open and view any number of file types, including PDF files. If you double-click on a .pdf file, it will open in the default application. If you have installed Adobe's Reader software, it will open that. But if not, or if you Control-click (Right-click) on the file you can open it with Preview. If you don't have the Adobe Reader software, it will open directly in Preview.

In any Mac OS X appication, when you select Print, the resulting Print dialog box will have an option at the bottom to produce a PDF instead of Printing. Choose PDF and name your file, the result will be a cross-platform document compatible with regular Adobe-produced PDF files.

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