Introduction - Adobe Acrobat and PDF for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction - page 1

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Introduction
Once every few generations something new appears that makes quantum leaps in Architecture, Engineering
and Construction (AEC). Paper was a major leap - it certainly beat carrying around clay tablets! The slide
rule was another quantum leap. As late as 1960, computers were people that computed with a slide rule;
with these computers we were able to put a man on the moon.
Machines that did the computing resulted in many engineering breakthroughs, but for all the major
power, paper was still the only common format for communication. Adobe Acrobat and Portable
Document Format (PDF) is the next jump forward in AEC, providing the first common format since paper.
We will never be completely free of paper, but the common format allows us to do amazing things,
including:
x Create electronic bid sets complete with drawings, specifications and fillable forms.
x Submit bids electronically on a PDF form that contains all the math, but no math errors.
x Submit and manage all submittals in the PDF format.
x Electronically redline drawings and specifications on-line.
x Search thousands of drawings and manuals at the same time.
x Create geo-referenced PDF maps with embedded data at geo-spacial points.
Does this list read like a software salesman promising the moon? It definitely is not!
The Development of PDF
The PDF format was invented by Dr. John Warnock of Adobe Systems. Adobe had invented the
PostScript printer driver, which helped create the mountain of paper under which we are smothering.
About 12 years ago, John modified the PostScript printer driver to print to an electronic space instead of to
paper, which allowed for file sharing between the Macintosh and PC platforms, as well as the transfer of
files from Adobe products to commercial printers.
Dr. Warnock's decision to freely distribute the Acrobat Reader was unheard of at the time, as was his
decision to make the specification available, freely encouraging others to develop plug-ins to extend the
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