Tips for downloading large PDF files

You may report problems to CapX2020 General Info, but please read below before sending a note.

What is PDF?

PDF (portable document format) is a universal file format that anyone, anywhere can open with free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™ software. PDF files display exactly as created, regardless of fonts, software, and operating systems.

How can I get Adobe Acrobat Reader?

To view PDF files, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader or the full version of Adobe Acrobat software installed on your machine. Click here to download the free Adobe Reader, then follow the instructions on Adobe's Web site. Adobe Acrobat Reader is available for a variety of platforms and languages.

Can I download large PDF files on a slow Internet connection?

Some project maps and route permit application documents are unavoidably large because they contain "raster" or "bitmapped" images such as aerial photos. We are providing, in some cases, both small and large versions of PDF files. So, if you cannot see enough photographic detail in a low resolution version, try downloading the higher resolution version. Downloading large PDFs (2 MB and up) on slower Internet connections can take a long time, especially if you are using a 56K dial-up modem rather than a high-speed DSL or cable Broadband modem.

If you appear get a "blank window," it does not necessarily mean that the download is frozen or that the link is bad. Unfortunately, some browsers (e.g. Safari) do not give an indication of the progress of a download of a large, single-page PDF, even with the "Fast Web View" enabled. Interrnet Explorer does give a progress indicator in the lower left corner of the browser window, if you have View: Status Bar selected in Internet Explorer's Menu Bar:

Here is a view of the lower left corner of Internet Explorer with Status Bar enabled:

Firefox gives a nice progress indicator in the lower right corner of the browser window (within the PDF display area):

Two alternate ways to download the PDF file

1) Save the document to your computer, then open from there.

• Right click (or Control-click on a Mac) on the PDF document link.
• Choose "Save Target As" (or "Download Linked File As" on a Mac).
• Navigate to where you want to place the document on your computer.
• You will see the progress of the download with estimated time.
• Open the PDF from its location by double clicking.

2) Force PDF documents to open in an Acrobat window instead of in a browser window.

• Open Adobe Acrobat / Adobe Reader.
• Go to Edit/Preferences/Internet.
• Turn off (uncheck) 'Display PDF in Browser.'
• Now go back to your web browser and click on the PDF link. After it is downloaded, the PDF will automatically open in Adobe Reader or the Preview program.