I'm working on an InkShow to highlight some of the new features of Bluebeam PDF Revu 6.0, so I found these latest tips from Bluebeam Insider to be quite beneficial.

Is there a way to go back to the old look of Revu, prior to 6.0?

While we don't have a time machine to go back to your old Revu interface, with version 6.2 you can now choose "classic mode". This will sync your Revu interface with the color settings you've selected for your Windows desktop.

Here's how to change to "classic mode"

Am I able to Search a PDF for particular key words?

Yes, using the Search tool, you can search not only the current PDF document but you can also search all open documents or even entire folders. Then, check off individual search results to Highlight, Strikethrough or Redact, just to name a few.

See the time saving features of Search

Bluebeam has just released version 6.2 of their popular PDF annotating tool, Bluebeam PDF Revu. This new version brings some enhanced Tablet PC features as requested by Tablet PC users.

Download the update here. This update is free for version 6.0 customers. We are planning an InkShow on this new version within the first week or two of May.

Peter Noyes, one of the developers that works on Bluebeam PDF Revu, wrote up this nice description of the new Tablet PC features in version 6.2:

In addition to many of the new features for 6.0 and 6.2 there are two specific Tablet PC features. The first is pressure sensitivity for the Pen tool. The pressure sensitivity is on by default, but can be turned off in Edit->Preferences under Tablet. The second Tablet PC specific feature is copy/paste compatibility with other Ink aware applications. However, in order to have this functionality work under Windows XP Tablet Edition a few updates may need to be installed. First SP1 for the .NET Framework 2.0 needs to be installed, and secondly Microsoft Update (KB900722) may need to be installed. On Vista it should work fine without needing any updates. The copy/paste interoperability can also be turned off under Edit->Preferences for users who would prefer to copy the recognized text instead.

Additionally there have been a few new features that are not specific to Tablet PCs per say but may still be of interest to Tablet PC users. The first is the Typewriter tool, which now allows text placement without having to first define a bounding box, you can just click anywhere and start typing, and our TIP is compatible with this feature. The typewriter tool is ideal for filling out forms. The second feature is a Viewer profile. Revu has supported profiles for several versions, but for 6.0 we moved the profile button (the button of the person with the bow-tie) to the Navigation bar. The user can now choose a Viewer profile which hides most of the user interface giving the user something very close to a full screen mode. If the user wants to ink while in this mode they could open the panel with the toolchest (should be the left panel) and have it show only 1 row of buttons to still have a large amount of screen real-estate available to the drawing while having access to pen tools.

The popular Bluebeam PDF Revu will be getting upgraded to version 6.0 this February. No word on what feature upgrades are coming. Bluebeam PDF Revu was our runner-up for 2007 GottaBeMobile.com Software of the Year.

Here are the details from Bluebeam.com:

Bluebeam is announcing a special price incentive for all new and existing Bluebeam customers. Now through the launch of 6.0, buy a license of Bluebeam PDF Revu 5.5 at current list prices and get a free upgrade to 6.0. Buy now at current, low prices before they change for version 6.0.

1. Buy a new license of version 5.5 or add new seats to an existing 5.0 license.
2. When version 6.0 is released you will be notified to receive your free upgrade to version 6.0 for all seats purchased between January 1, 2008 and the launch date for version 6.0 (estimated to be the end of February).
3. Enjoy the savings!

I just received some good news from the folks at Bluebeam. They have been nominated for the 2008 Most Innovative Product award by the World of Concrete trade show. They are being nominated due to PDF Revu's Tablet PC features. Here is their official announcement. Watch for more details on how you can vote for Bluebeam.

Revu is nominated for the Most Innovative Product Award because of its revolutionary tablet pc features. Bluebeam’s tablet pc compatibility provides traditionally mobile construction professionals with access to PDF collaboration tools so they can communicate faster and more efficiently with project partners. Mobile workers can use Revu to create, markup and edit PDFs on their tablet pc from any location – whether they are in the office, on the road, or at the job site.

Congratulations!

Many of our readers use Tablet PCs for forms automation, annotating PDFs, etc. Those areas are where businesses really begin to see Tablet PC technology pay for itself. For those interested in getting a better handle on the whole collaborative aspect of electronic document management, be sure to checkout Bluebeam's upcoming webcast on December 4th. I'm going to attend so I can see if there is something I can do to better help my clients.

Here are the details:

Are you:

• Still struggling to manage your enterprise documents with Windows Explorer?
• Still using email as a document collaboration and workflow tool?
• Still searching for a way to control and automate your hardcopy and PDF output?

In this live web cast, Bluebeam and Synergis Software will explain the hidden costs of doing business without a document management system. You'll learn how using Adept document management with Bluebeam's PDF technology will help you:

• Find files fast
• Re-use design information efficiently
• Control revisions
• Create and manage document relationships
• Automate workflow and approvals
• Ensure greater collaboration across multiple sites
• Enable high fidelity, single or batch mode printing, plotting and PDF publishing from a central repository
• Automate hardcopy or PDF output upon file release
• Maintain a document audit trail

Register Now!

All good things must come to an end, and the Bluebeam PDF Revu GBM Reader special is no different.

If you've been holding off on taking advantage of Bluebeam's $50 off special, time is quickly running out: it expires November 30th. Remember, the discount is also available to international customers, too.

For those who don't know, Bluebeam PDF Revu is pdf annotating software for the Tablet PC. Watch our InkShow on Bluebeam PDF Revu here.

Response to Bluebeam's $50 discount on PDF Revu has been great. GBM Reader Poppino wanted in on the special pricing, too, but unfortunately found a roadblock since he was an international customer and couldn't get that discount.

After sending an email to Bluebeam acknowledging his disappointment, Bluebeam and online reseller Cadopolis.com got to work to remedy that situation, and had a solution in a matter of hours. Now, thanks to a special arrangement with their reseller Cadopolis.com, Bluebeam has made the $50 GBM Reader discount available to international customers, too.

International readers, here is all you need to do: After hitting the Bluebeam ad on the right, look for instructions and links at the top of the Bluebeam page to order your 33% Bluebeam PDF Revu.

By the way, this sale ends on November 30, so if you don't have the trial yet, go ahead and do the download, try it out, and then get your order in before November 30th.

If you use a Tablet PC, chances are you need to annotate PDFs. Based on feedback from within our forums , users really like the powerful capabilities of Bluebeam PDF Revu.

Well, there is good news for GBM readers: from now until November 30th, GBM readers can purchase the popular PDF annotating software for only $99, which is $50 off the normal $149 price.

For more information, checkout the Bluebeam ad that is running on the right side of the page throughout the site and download the free 30-day trial. If you don't see the ad, do a refresh and it will appear. The discount is only available by clicking through the ad.

Checkout our InkShow on Bluebeam PDF Revu here.

Bluebeam Software, the makers of the PDF annotating software Bluebeam PDF Revu, has published a good introduction article on going mobile, picking the right tablet pc, etc. They even give GottaBeMobile.com and TabletPC2.com a nice mention as good resources for picking a Tablet PC.

Check out the article, especially if you are beginning your first searches for a Tablet PC.

My favorite PDF software for my Tablet PC (or any PC for that matter), BlueBeam PDF Revue has just released version 5.5 which includes, among other improvments, PDF Text editing that allows you to add, delete, or replace existing text in a PDF.

There are a host of other new features (see below) as well as more good news. If you have a version 5 license you can upgrade for free. There is a 30 day free trial of the new version.

• PDF Text Editing: add, delete or replace existing text in a PDF
• Review Text: underline or strikethrough text to be correcte in the original document
• Faster Speed: PDF creation, loadiing and rendering is faster than ever
• Dynamic Default: Revu remembers color ande other property settings automatically for efficient PDF markup
• Horizontal scrollbar: Easier document viewing
• MultiView: View up to sixteen tabbed views simultaneously
• Copy Page: Insert Duplicate pagess into your PDFs
• AutoCAD LT 2008 Compatibility

Here’s the link for the download and here’s a link for pricing. I haven’t given this a try myself yet, but plan on doing so soon and reporting back here.