newbie: What is good or great software to create .pdf files

[humour]

I know there is many ways to create .pdf files. I have a user that currently does it using Pagemaker. She is trying to convince me that we should spend the money on an "Adobe" product to create .pdf files. She says it would be faster and more flexible and worth the money. What she needs to do is to create many print/internet catalogs.. Pages often have to be merged or unmerged, lots of graphics and bitmaps embedded ind the pdf's as well.

Question 1: What software programs exist to create to create .pdf files for a catalog application? Are they substantially better than using pagemaker?

Question 2: How much approximately do they cost?

Any answers or feedback appreciated, especially to Question 1. I can always do the legwork to look up the costs.

Thanks in advance,

 

[tgreer]

For a more programmatic workflow, look at activePDF Server and Toolkit.

http://www.activepdf.com

I've used them for years in high-production, high-quality print environments.



Thomas D. Greer

http://www.tgreer.com

Providing PostScript & PDF
Training, Development & Consulting