The publications we produce require a PDF file for the output at the printers. We don't even need Adobe Acrobat to create such files, as Cute Writer works fine as a PDF print driver that generates a PDF version of any software that ordinarily outputs to a conventional printer.
I’ve found Serif offers 85% of the functionality at 15% of the price.
That other 15% (of the program’s functionality) can be acquired elsewhere on the cheap.
Someone above mentioned GIMP, which is a fine piece of software. There’s Photo Instrument (which I bought and like) that has some very nice features that make it worthwhile. And, as mentioned previously, the venerable Paint Shop Pro is always an option.
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And there’s lots more stuff out there that can be had for a song, or free.
To hell with Adobe. It looks like they’ve passed the peak on software development and deployment. If they don’t smarten up fast, they’ll learn about the “dustbins of history” up close and personal.
Much to their chagrin...
CA....
Open Office-free- can turn files into PDDF