Cropping - Extinct or just hidden? Is it necessary to make these tools useless?

[Moderator moved from The Lounge to PDF Forms.]

So, in the past I could save an eps file for production create a pdf using distiller for proofs to send, and after making those proofs but before sending them out I could crop out the white/crop marks production info and bleed so the document would look like it would after printing, or other production.

I open my pdf now and go to the edit tools and the cropping tool is greyed out and not available to choose. That is unless I select all, then it is available, but once I do that many elements are adversly affected. Like gradient in a logo converted to solid color box. I have gone through the FAQs and forum, I see similar questions, most unanswered to any degree of satisfaction. the instructions:

Since finally getting the CC suite I have never hoped so much for an alternative software tool set. Truly Adobe has seemingly bent itself ten fold over to make elements of these tools frustrating and cumbersome. If there were an advantage to it maybe that would be acceptable but right now, I am wishing I had never upgraded...

Anyone else feel that way?

I am sure I will get over it, but professional tools like this should not be done this way...   or am I missing something?

If you have an answer to my conundrum oncropping pdf files, please I would be happy to hear an answer, or if you are finding this frustrating too and feel a vetn go ahead.