Formatting PDF's, screen vs. page

[DDK]

I was wondering if it's possible to format a PDF specifically for viewing on a computer screen. Though not all monitors have the same aspect ratio, I'm sure there is a standard that could be applied to PDF's.

If you can create a page to the specifications of paper size, surely you can format for the specifications of an aspect ratio, right?

So my question is, how would it be done? Does anyone know the width and length that the page should be in absolute measurements?

 

[HellHound]

The big problem is whether or not you have bookmarks open (which I do by default) and the biggest killer is that various Operating Systems allow for different sized scrollbars, status bars, and so on.

There is really no cross-platform monitor size that will work perfectly, but I'm sure one that works well will do.

 

[philreed]

Landscape 8 1/2 x 11

I've now released 2 PDFs in the landscape format. They're perfect for screen use.

 

[HellHound]

Yes. I released "The Kid's Colouring Book o Critters - Celebrity Edition" in landscape 8 1/2 x 11 and it is VERY close to a perfect fit.

 

[jmucchiello]

Re: Landscape 8 1/2 x 11

I've now released 2 PDFs in the landscape format. They're perfect for screen use.

Any customer feedback to back that up? I noticed in Constuct Mechanus you made the flashy version landscape and the printable version portrait.

 

[DDK]

Yeah, I was going to mention that possibility but forgot by the time the 'Post Reply' window loaded, lol.

I haven't tested it out yet and I don't have any landscape based PDF's (can you simply choose 'landscape' in printing options to view a portrait PDF?) to view it so I'm curious to know how the 'Fit to Width' option works and how much of the lower portion of the page is lost, or for that matter, how much of the next page is showing.

It's a shame Apple's Cinema Displays aren't standard... 16:1, they're so sweet

EDIT: Sorry, I should explain: a) it's 5.20am and I haven't slept because it's still 30 C... why bother? b) slow, old computer, without much RAM. To test this, I'd have to shut other things down, start things up, blah, blah... can't be bothered, easier to post the question, lol.

 

[Blacksad]

Re: Re: Landscape 8 1/2 x 11

Any customer feedback to back that up? I noticed in Constuct Mechanus you made the flashy version landscape and the printable version portrait.

I'm a customer, and I found the landscape format for construct mechanus to be perfect

 

[philreed]

Re: Re: Landscape 8 1/2 x 11

Any customer feedback to back that up? I noticed in Constuct Mechanus you made the flashy version landscape and the printable version portrait.

Okay, I should have said "perfect (for screen use) in my opinion."

I've not heard any negative comments about the flashy version being in landscape. Or negative comments about the plain version in B&W.

I have no idea what I'm saying. Sorry, I need a nap. I'll try and come back later and make sense.

 

[rpghost]

[BI haven't tested it out yet and I don't have any landscape based PDF's (can you simply choose 'landscape' in printing options to view a portrait PDF?) to view it so I'm curious to know how the 'Fit to Width' option works and how much of the lower portion of the page is lost, or for that matter, how much of the next page is showing.[/B]

Try the FREE RPGNow E-Zine as it is done in this way. Mainly a screen format for reading. But it does print out just fine.

http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=585

James

 

[DDK]

Ahh, rpghost, that is perfect. Was there anything more involved in doing that than simply formatting it via landscape A4 dimensions? It seemed to fit my screen perfectly, one page at a time.

It's a shame PDF's don't have the same flexibility as a web page, else the same scaling rules could apply. Of course, I'm not sure how that would work with Acrobat's vectorization (or whatever you call it) but it sure would be a neat development.