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Revision as of 17:53, 26 June 2014

Developer(s)LULU Software
Initial release2010
TypePDF Software
WebsiteSodaPDF.com

Soda PDF is a family of PDF applications used to open, view, create, convert, edit, secure and share portable document format (PDF) files. The software was developed by LULU Software, based in Montreal, Canada.

The most recent Soda PDF version (6.0) comprises of 8 modules- Create, Convert, Edit, Insert, Review, Forms, Secure and Sign and OCR, which can also be bundled together to make: Soda PDF 6 Standard Package, Professional Package and PRO + OCR Package.

History

In 2010, shortly after the foundation of LULU Software, the first version of Soda PDF was launched as LULU Software’s flagship product line. Soda PDF was created and originated at LULU Software’s headquarters in Montreal, Canada.[1]

In December 2011, LULU Software announced that they would be launching a new Soda PDF product line featuring 3D viewing technology, new customizable viewing options and enhanced editing capabilities.[2] [3] [4] An editor at FindMySoft reviewed the 3D PDF version of the software, and gave the software a 5-star rating.[5] CNET reviewed Soda PDF Professional 2011 as being “capable, flexible, easy to use, and affordable enough for individuals and organizations that need more than what free tools offer yet can't afford the big-box bundles.”[6]

In 2012, a new version called Soda 3D PDF Reader 2012 was released. This version was complimented for its “realistic” page-turning feature.[7] The full featured Soda PDF 2012 was the next release, and its Pro version was rated as being impressive due to its “straightforward design,” with its navigation system enabling “accessing tools easier and more efficient.”[8] It was also said to have “no trouble creating good-looking PDFs from source files saved in other file formats.” This simple and easy-to-use interface was carried over to future designs of the Soda PDF software.[9]

In June 2013, the company acquired the UK-based company DOC2PDF Limited, publisher of DOC2PDF, a free online Word to PDF (and vice versa) converter. At the time, it was a leader in online document conversion.[10]

On November 13, 2013, the company released Soda PDF 6, the latest version of their Soda PDF product range.[11] Version 6 of the software is a modular application, allowing users to add the options they want to their program, a feature unique to the market. It includes a free built-in PDF reader, complete with a 3D reading view and is available from $9.99.[12]

Soda PDF 6

The latest version of Soda PDF is version 6. The company also released a bug fix version (6.1) on February 7th. Soda PDF 6 is the first fully modular PDF application available on the market, allowing users to tailor their own application based on their personal necessities. It also features a quick to install and easy-to-use interface. The program also has premade packages, containing a set of most commonly used features and modules.[13]

File Size

Tech Republic remarked that one of the best functions of Soda PDF was how easy it was to change the file size of the PDFs when saving.[14] While reviewing Soda PDF 5, they commented on the fact that reducing file sizes was a straightforward process with the optimize feature. The file size can be adjusted using a slider ranging from minimum to maximum quality. The output can be further tuned by tweaking image sampling based on whether images contain color, grayscale or monochrome elements. Tech Republic concluded that Soda PDF did an excellent job of balancing readability and crunching bits down to more manageable sizes. This feature was carried forward to Soda PDF version 6 as well.[14]

Modules

Soda PDF 6 is a modular application, which means that it is composed of eight modules that users have the option of adding to their program, which comes with a free built-in View Module that helps users read PDFs:[15]

  • Create: This module enables users to generate PDF from Word, Excel, PowerPoint and 300+ file formats, create PDF from images or directly from a scanner, and produce a PDF file from multiple documents. It is a free module that can be activated via registration by the users.
  • Convert: The convert module allows PDF files to be converted into popular file formats such as MS Word, Excel, HTML, .txt, .png, .jpeg, and .gif.
  • Edit: With the Edit module, users can alter elements in their PDF files, such as font style, modifying pages, and splitting PDFs into multiple documents.
  • Insert: The Insert module makes it possible for users to add various elements to their PDF file, such as new pages, page numbers, and images.
  • Review: With the Review module, users can annotate their PDF files by highlighting, underlining, and striking through texts, as well as adding comments.
  • Forms: Users can create customized PDF form documents, add buttons and fields to them, and also fill and save pre-designed forms with this Module.
  • Secure and Sign: The Secure and Sign module enables documents to be secured with 256-bit passwords and electronic signatures. These features were enhanced and improved in Soda PDF 6.
  • Optical Character Recognition: The Optical Character Recognition (OCR) feature allows users to take images and scanned documents, and quickly recognize parts of these documents that are text. The software converts all necessary text, while also recognizing other areas of the document (such as logos) as images. This is a feature that has been retained in all versions.[15]

Other Features

Other popular Soda PDF 6 features are based on older versions such as Soda PDF 2012 and Soda PDF 5. The software also has the ability to read comic book files such as CBR and CBZ, and eBook files such as .epub.[16] [17]

Requirements

Soda PDF 6 requires low specification for its use, as with many PDF creators, viewers or editors. Soda PDF requires a Pentium III processor or equivalent, but it is recommended that a Pentium 4 or Dual Core processor is used for optimal use.[18]

On older systems, 512 MB of RAM system memory is advised, with 1GB for Windows Vista and Windows 7. It also requires at least 100MB of free disk space to operate.[18]

Language availability

Soda PDF 6 is available in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Japanese.

Soda 3D Reader

Soda 3D Reader is a PDF application users can use to open, view, and create PDF files. The flipping animation tool of its patent-pending 3D feature enables users to go through pages of PDF files as they would in real life.[19] CNET has praised the 3D Reader as being “clean and inviting,” as well as “fast and easy to use.”[20]

Soda PDF Windows 8

The Soda PDF Windows 8 application is optimized for devices using the Windows 8 platform, including laptops, tablets, and touch-screen devices. It also includes the 3D and page-flipping technologies. Users can also choose to add the optional Annotate and Convert modules.[21]

Soda PDF Mac OS

Soda PDF for Mac OS was built specifically for users of the Mac Operating System. Compatible with any PDF document, it includes the 3D document view technology, enabling users to flip through the pages of their PDF documents as they would in real life. It also allows users to create PDF documents from Word, Excel, and other file formats, review, highlight text, add comments to PDFs, and use keywords to find text.

Soda PDF Business Edition

Soda PDF Business Edition incorporates all of the features of Soda PDF 6, including additional features intended to meet the needs of business users, such as redaction (hiding sensitive information), embedding watermarks, PDF to PDF/A conversion, header/footer management tools, and Outlook plugin. Users also have the benefit of having the Premium Business Support, Volume Licensing program, and multiple deployment options.[22]

Soda PDF Online Services

The Soda PDF Online Services is a collection of online tools for users to manage their PDF files directly on their computer, without having to download PDF software. It includes the Create, Convert, Merge, and Split features of the Soda PDF 6 application. Users can also send their converted documents to an email address. The Create tool is free for all users. There is also a Free Account, which allows registered users to have 100 MB of free online storage, as well as use the Convert feature. With the Premium Membership, users have access to all features, which includes the Merge and Split tools, 500 MB of storage, and unlimited PDF creation and conversion. With the Free and Premium accounts, users can store their files in the cloud.[23]

Previous versions

Version Date Description
Soda PDF Professional 2011 with OCR May 2011 New features include Create & Convert, Edit & Insert, Secure & Sign, Digital Signature, Secure Permissions, Password Security features, and OCR.[24]
Soda PDF 2012 December 2011 3D View, split PDF into multiple files, extract specific pages of a PDF document, easier to select text, make necessary modifications and rearrange elements within PDF documents.[25] [26] [27] [28]
Soda PDF 5 October 2012 Interface redesigned, improved layer management and form creation, additional tools for reviewing and annotating documents, support for TIFF file format for PDF creation.[29]

References

  1. ^ "Products". LULU Software. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  2. ^ "LULU Software launches next-generation Soda PDF products". Planet PDF. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  3. ^ "Soda PDF goes 3D". CNET Download.com. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  4. ^ "Press". LULU Software. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  5. ^ "Soda 3D PDF Reader - view any PDF document in 3D". FindMySoft. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  6. ^ "Soda PDF 6". CNET Download.com. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  7. ^ "Soda 3D PDF Reader 2012 is pretty and functional". betanews. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  8. ^ "Soda PDF Professional 2012". 10TopTenReviews. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  9. ^ "Soda PDF 2012 Pro + OCR review". PC Advisor. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  10. ^ "LULU Software Acquires DOC2PDF Limited". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  11. ^ "LULU SOFTWARE Extends Their Award-Winning Product Line by Launching Soda PDF 6, the First Fully-Modular PDF Solution Designed by Users". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  12. ^ "Products". Sofa PDF. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  13. ^ "LULU SOFTWARE Extends Their Award-Winning Product Line by Launching Soda PDF 6, the First Fully-Modular PDF Solution Designed by Users". Market Wired. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  14. ^ a b "Review: Soda PDF 5 Pro document editor". Tech Republic. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  15. ^ a b "Modules and Packages". SodaPDF. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  16. ^ "Soda PDF 6 - Free Download". Portal Programas. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  17. ^ "Soda PDF 6". Tucows. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  18. ^ a b "System Requirements". Soda PDF. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  19. ^ "PDF Reader Free Download". Soda PDF. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  20. ^ "Soda PDF 3D Reader". CNET Download.com. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  21. ^ "Soda PDF 3D Reader". Microsoft.com. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  22. ^ "LULU Software Launches the New Version of Soda PDF Business Edition". Market Watch. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  23. ^ "LULU Software Releases Soda PDF Online Services". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  24. ^ "Soda PDF 6". CNET Download.com. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  25. ^ "Soda PDF goes 3D". CNET Download.com. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  26. ^ "Soda PDF goes 3D". Planet PDF. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  27. ^ "Press". LULU Software. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  28. ^ "Soda PDF 2012 Pro + OCR review". PD Advisor. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  29. ^ "LULU Software Launches Version 5 of Their Award-Winning Soda PDF Product Line". Reuters.com. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
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