Software that generates PDFs from a scanner

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[Kathy Stevens]

We are setting up a new Windows 11 computer and are looking for PDF software that can generate PDF files from a scanner.

We have been using the Adobe Acrobat X Standard that was last updated in 2011. The software is no longer supported by Adobe and not appropriate for installation on a Windows 11 PC.

One of the core functions that we are looking for is the ability to create PDF copies of paper documents by capturing them using a scanner/printer.

In addition, we would also like to use the software to create, edit, and fill in forms; rotate pages; recognize text; crop; insert text from a file; edit document text; etc.

We avoid subscription software.

We found Acrobat Standard 2020 for $358.80 and Adobe Acrobat Pro 2020 for $539. A bit pricey.

We are open to suggestions for other PDF software capable of capturing documents from a scam.

Any thoughts?

• This topic was modified 2 years, 6 months ago by Kathy Stevens.

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Have you looked at NAPS2?

Regards, Phil

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Kathy Stevens

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I will look into NAPS2

Thanks

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The build in Windows Fax & Scan will “print” scan as PDF (to PDF printer).
There is no need for 3rd party software.

https://www.intowindows.com/how-to-save-scanned-documents-and-pictures-as-pdf-in-windows-10/

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Kathy Stevens

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Alex

Thank you.

I updated the post to include a number of PDF tasks and I am not sure Windows Fax and Scan can meet accomplish.

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Alex5723

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I have revised the original post to include, “In addition, we would also like to use the software to create, edit, and fill in forms; rotate pages; recognize text; crop; insert text from a file; edit document text; etc.”

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Alex5723

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A couple of free/inexpensive PDF packages worth looking at are PDFill (simpler, I have used their free PDF Tools for years) and PDF-XCHANGE (more industrial-strength). I learned of both originally as highly-rated products on the old Gizmo’s freeware site.

HTH. Regards, Phil

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Kathy Stevens

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Kathy Stevens wrote:

We are setting up a new Windows 11 computer and are looking for PDF software that can generate PDF files from a scanner.

You might see if there as an associated printer package that is included with the printer that will create PDF from scan. (I know my printer has such an option / package.)

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Kathy Stevens

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@geekdom

Our scanner’s software includes the ability to create PDFs.  But our goal is to find a single app that we can open, have it communicate with the scanner, scan the document, and go on to edit the document including character recognition prior to being saved.

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Hands down no PDF software does it as good as Adobe.
Especially if you want to edit the PDF and make it look like a PDF.

What scanner do you have? We have a Fujitsu and for pure scanning — http://imagescanner.fujitsu.com/global/dl/win-11-fi-7×60.html the PaperStream capture works better than Adobe.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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Kathy Stevens

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I think Foxit runs Adobe Acrobat a close second. See below.

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I use Kofax Power PDF Advanced and it does the job and will pretty much do what you require. It is compatible with Windows 11. It’s a one-time purchase at around £157 (approx. US$179). Kofax offer a free trial period too. Maybe worth a look:

Advanced PDF generator for your business | Power PDF Advanced |Kofax

 

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Kathy Stevens

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I have an Epson ET-2700 Printer and it’s software package for Windows (I never checked on Linux..) has it’s own PDF capture and works as well as any other scanner->PDF I have found. It is better that getting copies at the UPS Store from my experience.

Rob…

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Our scanner’s software includes the ability to create PDFs.  But our goal is to find a single app that we can open, have it communicate with the scanner, scan the document, and go on to edit the document including character recognition prior to being saved.

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I hate to say this but Adobe still hands down is the best.  I’ve tested multiple PDF software in my goal to not have to pay the EXTREMELY costly software, and may are “good enough” but not the same.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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At this point we are leaning towards Foxit PDF EDITOR PRO 12 for installation on our new Windows 11 workstation.  Our preference would have been to go with Adobe Acrobat Standard 2020 however a perpetual Foxit license costs $179 while Adobe Acrobat Standard runs $358.80.

When I posted this topic, I thought Foxit was only available by subscription. However, with some Internet searching, I found we could acquire a perpetual license.

Foxit came installed on one of our HP workstations and has served us well for the last seven years.

Foxit PDF EDITOR PRO 12’s capabilities are advertise to include:

• Editing PDFs,
• Exporting PDFs to Microsoft Office,
• Viewing and printing PDFs,
• Scanning, converting, and OCRing hard copies,
• Creating PDFs,
• Creating PDF forms,
• Collaboration and sharing,
• Document security,
• “Accessibility Features,”
• “Action Wizards,” and
• High compression of scanned PDFs.

We are still couple of days away from placing an order for the software and remain open to further comments related to the best PDF apps.

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You may find StartAllBack will make your life easier than Win11 menu system.

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Just downloaded and installed the trial version of Foxit PDF Editor.

Does all that it advertises, but I do not like its interface.

Since we plan on running the PDF app over the life of the workstation (hopefully 10 years) it looks like we are back to favoring Adobe Acrobat.

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After working with the trial version of Foxit PDF Editor for a few days we have decided to purchase and install Adobe Acrobat Standard 2020 on our new workstation.

Foxit PDF Editor did everything we wanted our PDF software to do – but we did not like it’s user interface.

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As you no doubt have learned by all the postings, there is no limit to the different pdf software available. I think over the years I have hopped around most of them looking for that one program that fits my needs. I ended up using PDF24, a small program from a german developer. It does everything you can imagine, is very easy on resources, and completely free. You might do well to give it a test run.

Doc Fuddled

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Just discovered that Adobe allows its apps, including Adobe Acrobat Standard 2020, to be installed on two PCs at a time – provided that the app is open on one machine at a time.

Just saved $360 for another Acrobat license by reading the “fine print” on their web site.

Follow the link:

https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/using/install-apps-number-of-computers.html

 

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Paul T

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I have been looking for such pdf software for a long time.  My main need is to add scanned auto repair invoices to an existing pdf automobile maintenance log.  Foxit Reader (Free) used to be able to add scanned pages to an existing document–no longer.  I finally came upon this just a few months ago:

Ashampoo 3.0

The Ashampoo website indicates a price of $69.00, but I picked up one license for about 15 bucks, the other, closer to ten.  The license says only one PC per license.  I think the interface is quite similar to Adobe Acrobat circa 2015.  It does everything I need it to do (mostly add pages from a scanner), plus a bunch of things I don’t really need and will probably never use.   I just left the Ashampoo website.   If you click on deals, the software is listed for $15.00.  That seems almost the same thing as free to me. I don’t know if there’s a free trial. There was a bit of a learning curve for me to get everything working the way I wanted it to.  I suspect it’s not an issue for anyone who frequents this Lounge.  If you look at some of the complaints, one is that it keeps making multiple file backups.  You can prevent this by unchecking the “Always make a backup on save” box in the settings menu.  I found this software to be exactly what I needed.

Casey H.

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