Nitro Reader 2.3 uses less memory, improves digital signing

Nitro PDF has updated its free PDF reader and creator, Nitro Reader, to version 2.3. The latest version, which is also available as a 64-bit app promises improved performance through reduced memory usage, plus revamps its QuickSign signature tool and adds a smattering of new features in addition to various bug fixes.

Nitro Reader has carved itself a niche in the PDF reader market by providing a feature-rich application that includes powerful PDF creation tools as well as viewing ones, all without delivering ads or nags to upgrade to a paid-for version. Version 2.3 aims to maintain its lead in the feature stakes while significantly cutting back on its system demands.

Nitro Reader’s Achilles heel has always been its memory demands. With version 2.3, these have been cut back thanks to tweaks made to the program’s PDF rendering engine, which was significantly overhauled for the 2.0 release last June. Now the engine is capable of rendering PDF files more quickly than before while consuming less system RAM, freeing up resources for other applications.

Nitro Reader 2.3 introduces one other significant improvement, a much improved QuickSign tool. QuickSign is designed to allow users to quickly import digital signatures for stamping on PDF documents, and Nitro Reader 2.3 delivers a number of improvements to speed up the process further.

First, imported images are handled much better: transparencies are preserved in PNG files, and the signature is automatically converted to black and white. It’s also dynamically and intelligently resized to fit the document when stamped on the page, further saving time and hassle.

Other changes are minor: users can now zoom into and out of documents via the mouse’s scroll wheel while holding the [Ctrl] button, and a number of bugs and crashes have been resolved, resulting in improved rendering of fonts and previews. The new release marks a shift to a new rapid-release cycle, with future updates expected to follow every six to eight weeks.

Nitro Reader 2.3 32-bit and Nitro Reader 2.3 64-bit are free downloads for PCs running Windows XP or later.

Photo Credit: cybrain/Shutterstock