Term: PDF maker
Definition:
A PDF maker is a computer application installed as a virtual PDF printer that makes a PDF document from any file that supports printing. In order for the conversion to take place, the program that created the original file needs to be installed too, as the whole conversion would be done in a similar way to printing a document to a normal paper printer. For example, making a PDF document from a .xls file (created with Microsoft Excel) would be done by opening the file with Microsoft Excel, going to File->Print, selecting as a printer the virtual PDF printer (i.e. novaPDF) and clicking on Print. The PDF conversion would take place and the PDF document saved in the desired location. Depending on their requirements for creating PDF files, PDF makers can be divided in two major categories:
- Depending on 3rd party programs. This category contains PDF makers that require installing a 3rd party set of programs such as Ghostscript, or a framework such as .NET, in order to make the PDF files. A major disadvantage of these PDF makers is the fact that their setup programs don’t contain the Ghostscript or .NET package, so even if you have the setup for the PDF maker itself, you would need an internet connection to download the 3rd party program too.
- Independent from 3rd party programs. This category contains PDF makers that do not require any 3rd party programs in order to make the PDF documents. This is a benefit for the user as only downloading the PDF maker and installing it is enough to be able to make the PDF files. An example of a PDF maker independent from 3rd party programs is novaPDF
Depending on their usage, PDF makers can be:
- Desktop PDF makers. This is a typical PDF maker and used mostly by regular users or in small businesses. A desktop PDF maker is installed on a single computer and can make a PDF document only from/to that specific computer (it cannot be used through a network). An example of a desktop PDF maker is novaPDF Desktop.
- Server PDF makers. A server PDF maker allows being installed on a single computer in a large network, and being shared as a network PDF maker for other computers in the same network, being used via a Remote Desktop Connection, Terminal Servers or through Citrix clients. These server-based PDF maker solutions are more expensive than the desktop ones, but overall in large companies the cost per user is much lower. novaPDF Server is an example of a server PDF maker.
Related terms: pdf printer, pdf creator, pdf writer, pdf converter, pdf generator
novaPDF is a PDF creator that allows creating PDF files (with or without encryption) from any Windows application that supports printing. If you don't have novaPDF installed, use the
Download page to download and install it. To see a tutorial on how you can use novaPDF to create PDF files read
Create PDF files with novaPDF.
