Converting to PDF Format from a Windows Application

Overview

These instructions will help you convert a preexisting file into a PDF-format file. This new file can then be opened using Adobe's Acrobat Pro, which is often helpful when plotting to DotCIO's big plotters.

There are two basic ways to convert a file into a PDF.

• Using the PDF converter built into the program that “owns” the file.
• Using Adobe Acrobat to import the file into a PDF.

Note: Using Adobe Acrobat often provides you with better results, and copies of Acrobat Pro can be found installed on the Windows computers in the VCC lobby.

Procedures

Converting to PDF using the “owner” program:

Some programs have built-in converters to allow them to convert their own files into PDF-formatted files. If your file opens in such a program, then follow these steps:

1. Open the file in its native “owner” program.
2. Convert the file to a PDF using one of these methods:
   
   • Click “Save As”, and select “.PDF” as the file type.
   • Click “Export”, and select “PDF” as the file type.
   • Click “Print”, and select the virtual printer whose name most closely resembles “Print to PDF”.

Converting to PDF using Adobe Acrobat:

1. Open the file in its native “owner” program.
   1. Click “Print”, and select “vcp7100” as the printer.
      1. Check the box labelled “Print to file”.
      2. Make sure to set the correct paper size for the final document.
      3. When you are prompted for a filename, use a “.ps” file extension (ex: “myplot.ps”).
2. Open Acrobat Pro.
   1. In Acrobat's menu, choose “File → Create PDF → From file”.
   2. Choose “PostScript” as the source file type.
   3. Click on “Settings...” at the bottom of the window.
      1. In the new window that opens, to the right of “Adobe PDF settings”, click on the “Edit” button.
      2. Choose the appropriate page size for the final document. This page size should match the paper size that you specified earlier.
      3. Select a PDF resolution of 300 DPI. (There is no need to use a higher resolution, as the plotters have an upper limit of 300 DPI).
      4. Uncheck any boxes for “Accessibility” and “Bookmarks”.
   4. Select the “.ps” file that you created earlier, and click on “Open” to create the new PDF file.
   5. Save the new PDF file in a folder of your choice.

Last Reviewed: 18-Jun-2018