Product Overview of PDFCreator by pdfforge
Introduction
PDFCreator, developed by pdfforge GmbH, is a versatile and powerful tool designed to convert various types of documents into Portable Document Format (PDF) files. It operates on Microsoft Windows operating systems and is renowned for its comprehensive features, reliability, and adaptability to different IT infrastructures.
Core Functionality
PDFCreator functions by creating a virtual printer that allows users to convert documents from almost any application that supports printing. This includes converting Microsoft Office files, images (JPG, PNG, TIFF), and other printable documents into high-quality PDFs.
Key Features
Document Conversion
- Converts documents into PDF, PDF/A, and PDF/X formats, ensuring compatibility and long-term archivability.
- Supports conversion of images directly to PDFs, allowing users to set page size and orientation.
Automation and Customization
- Offers advanced automation capabilities, including the use of user tokens to fill in preset values such as file names, target directories, and other metadata.
- Allows for custom scripts in C# to be integrated for advanced print job processing, providing full access to job data before and after conversion.
Security and Protection
- Enables password protection with up to 256-bit AES encryption to restrict access to PDF files.
- Allows users to set permissions, limit viewer actions, and add digital signatures to verify authorship.
Workflow Management
- Features a workflow editor and quick actions view, which includes options for file and path copying, cloud drive actions, and more.
- Supports merging multiple documents into a single PDF and rearranging them as needed.
Integration and Compatibility
- Compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows versions, including Windows 11.
- Uses the latest Ghostscript for PDF generation and supports ARM64 architectures.
- Integrates with COM-enabled applications, allowing for control over print job management, file saving, and merging through custom scripts.
User-Friendly Interface
- Provides a highly adaptable interface with usability improvements, including intuitive item selection in the merge view and natural order sorting.
- Supports multiple languages, with translations available in over 20 languages.
Additional Features
- Allows for sending created files via email, adding watermarks and stamps, and executing custom actions post-conversion.
- Supports FTP and SFTP with custom ports and includes features like auto-save, cover pages, and attachment pages.
Editions
PDFCreator is available in several editions:
- PDFCreator Free: The open-source and free version, which includes most core features.
- PDFCreator Professional: Offers additional features such as silent installation in Windows domains, custom C# scripts, and advanced security options.
- PDFCreator Terminal Server: Designed for use on Windows Servers with Remote Desktop Services and Citrix Servers, allowing secure assignment of print jobs to user sessions.
- PDFCreator Server: Functions as a Windows service application, enabling central management of settings and users, and offering high-performance multi-threading.
Licensing and Development
PDFCreator is free and open-source, allowing users to download the code, modify it, and create their own applications under the same licensing terms. It is written in Microsoft C#.
In summary, PDFCreator by pdfforge is a robust and feature-rich tool that simplifies the process of creating, managing, and securing PDF documents, making it an indispensable asset for both personal and business use.