Visual printer. Installing and using a virtual PDF printer

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PDF is a universal digital format that is supported by almost all devices. Many users sometimes have to reformat text and images in this format. A virtual printer is perfect for this task. But how to choose the best one among dozens of programs - this will be discussed in this article. We will look at the TOP 5 popular virtual printers that work with PDF documents and learn how to use them.

What is a virtual printer?

When you come across such a term on the Internet, you might think that a virtual PDF printer is a device that can print documents for us from a distance. In fact, it is not a device, but a program. It works with the file output from your home printer and can create a PDF document from it. This format is often used to create full-fledged instructions with images, books, simple presentations, and also for saving web pages.

Why do you need PDF if you have Word, which can also store images, create graphics and other files? Indeed, Word can be used for the same tasks, but it is not so versatile that it can be opened on any device. Moreover, the computer program from Microsoft is paid. While PDF is free, and a program for opening such documents is being implemented by developers today in almost every operating system.

TOP-1. Google's tool for working with PDF files

To work with Google Cloud Print, you will need a browser developed by this company - Google Chrome. If it is not installed on your computer, you can download it from the following link: https://www.google.com/chrome/?hl=en. A printer must also be connected to your computer. You can access it over the network, wherever you are, and create documents in PDF. Use the printer connection instructions that were included with your purchase.

Procedure:

Google Cloud Print is the best because you don't need to install any additional software to make it work. No matter where you are, creating a PDF from a document is very easy. All you need is internet access and a Chrome browser. Once you select your printer, you can change your printing settings.

You also need to make sure whether your device supports cloud printing. This can be done on the page https://www.google.com/cloudprint/learn/printers/. Enter your printer model name in the form.

Form to check whether your printer supports cloud printing

On the Google support page you can find instructions for working with printers that support cloud printing. And also with those who do not support it.

TOP-2. doPDF Virtual Printer

doPDF is a utility that needs to be installed on your computer. It is capable of creating files in a couple of clicks using the print button in other programs. doPDF is free and available at http://www.dopdf.com/download.php. The developers offer us an extended version of this program for $30. To create or reformat documents in PDF, the basic version is sufficient.

To download on the site, you need to click on the green “Download” button twice. You can download it on devices with Windows, Linux, Android, Mac, iOS.

Instructions for using the program:

TOP-3. Bullzip PDF Printer

The Bullzip virtual printer is perfect for modern computers with a 64-bit operating system. By the way, today not all such programs can work with such a system. Another advantage of a virtual printer is that it is free. To download, go to the official website http://www.bullzip.com/products/pdf/download.php and click the “Click here to download” button.

Bullzip is very easy to use. Once installed, you can find it in the list of printers connected to your computer.

Procedure:

During installation, the program prompts you to install a plugin for Word and other editors. They are able to expand the functionality of the virtual printer. With Bullzip, you can add images, digitally sign PDFs, change document orientation, and more.

TOP-4. Foxit Reader - reader for PDF documents

Foxit Reader is a reader for PDF documents with a user-friendly interface and settings. In it you can edit the document, leave comments for the author and open documents in safe mode. It is often used as a virtual printer. This is what it is, together with other functions. Foxit Reader provides users with a free 14-day trial. Which can be downloaded from the link https://www.foxitsoftware.com/ru/pdf-reader/.

Button to download trial version of Foxit Reader

For long-term use you will have to buy it. After installing the utility, you can find the virtual printer in devices, like other similar programs.

Foxit Reader virtual printer icon

By purchasing Foxit Reader, you will receive a set of tools for creating, editing and viewing PDF documents. If you do not want to buy the program, you will have to hurry to complete your task within two weeks.

TOP 5. PDF24 Creator - a simple virtual printer

PDF24 Creator is another simple virtual printer. It implements most of the functions of other programs: formatting in PDF, setting up a future document, adding different file formats. It only works with Windows OS. Despite this it is popular. The program is on the official website https://ru.pdf24.org/creator.html. After installing it, you can download other utilities from the same developer through a special launcher.

Working window of the PDF24 virtual printer

Unlike other virtual printers, PDF24 has its own interface. It is similar to Windows Explorer, through which you can select documents to print. This concludes our review of the TOP 5 virtual printers for working with the PDF format. If you do not agree with the sequence of programs in the top, write to us about it in the comments.

A program of this kind may be needed at the most inopportune moment. Virtual printer PDF 10.24.2543 is a kind of constructor that allows you to create a full-fledged PDF document from text and pictures. Why a printer? Because it saves files in a ready-made form for later printing. There are many such designers. There are even online versions. However, it is better to have such a program on your own computer. And the best is DoPDF. It is easy to use and has a large number of settings.

Attention! There is an alternative utility with almost the same name - NovaPDF. Even the developer is the same. But there is a cardinal difference: the latter is paid. You can't just use it like that. Although in terms of functionality, both versions are almost no different.

Possibilities

The principle of operation of the utility is ridiculously simple. After installation, the program is registered in the list of printers. If you need to save a document in PDF format, then just click on “Print” in a text editor and select a virtual printer. What can the product do?

creation of full-fledged PDF documents;
full integration of pictures;
the ability to use multiple layers;
selecting the number of copies;
preparing a document for printing;
full work with Microsoft Office products;
use of watermarks.

Like all “printers”, this one is entirely in Russian (despite the fact that it is virtual). The utility copes well with documents of any size. At the same time, the structure intended by the author is completely preserved. PDF files can later be used to create an e-book or printed on paper. Moreover, the quality will be the highest. DoPDF can be useful for anyone. Therefore, it is important to have this program on your work machine.

Advantages

All programs of this type have almost similar functionality, so identifying the best one was not so easy. But it is DoPDF that has the widest possibilities for customizing “printing” parameters and can provide the highest quality. But there are other advantages over similar products.

extensive customization options;
automatic text scaling when choosing quality;
support for resolutions from 72 to 2400 DPI;
work with operating systems of the Windows family from XP to 10;
OS integration;
support for editors such as Libre Office;
simple and intuitive interface;
fast work;
low demands on system resources;
protection of created documents with a password of any complexity;
a huge selection of types of documents created;
simple installation process.

All of the above makes DoPDF the best virtual printer out there. That is why many users choose it. Even professionals use it often. And they don’t think about switching to more “serious” paid products. Because there is no difference.

Download

So, the DoPDF utility is the best virtual PDF printer, providing the highest quality of documents and having the widest customization options. Using this program, you can prepare documents for printing or create e-book pages. You can download the program for free from our website. There are definitely no viruses. Verified. Installing the utility will not raise any questions even for beginners. Everything is ridiculously simple.

The free PDF24 PDF printer works with all current versions of Windows, and you can create PDF files through the Windows print dialog. The process for creating a PDF is as follows: Create a document in your favorite application, such as Word. To create a PDF file of your document, simply print it through the virtual PDF24 PDF printer. This will create a PDF file based on the contents of the document.

Free PDF printer for Windows

With the free PDF24 PDF printer you can create PDF files from any application that has a print function. PDF24 Creator will install a virtual PDF printer that can be used like any other printer. When you print on this printer from PDF24, you receive a PDF file. The PDF printer functions like a regular Windows printer.

Using a PDF printer to create PDF files is convenient because the printer is available in all applications that have a print function. To create PDF files, simply click the print button in the application, and select the special PDF printer PDF24 to create a PDF file.

Example of using a PDF printer

If you write something in Word, then you can print it on a PDF printer instead of printing on a regular printer. Select the PDF24 PDF printer, print the document in Word, and after that you will have a PDF file of your Word document.

Create PDF files to share documents

It's always better to share PDF files instead of Word files because a PDF file looks identical on all devices, and that's what the PDF format was invented for. With the PDF printer from PDF24 you can create PDF files from any printed documents.

Alternative: Use PDF24's suite of utilities to create PDF files online for free

With tools from PDF24 you can create PDF files in many ways. Take a look at online PDF utilities from PDF24 where you can use over 25 PDF tools to create PDF files for free. Most PDF related problems are solved using these PDF utilities.

When working with various documents, users are often faced with the need to transfer the resulting document to other people. And here a problem may arise that these people may open the document in a slightly different form than the author of the document. The pagination may change, fonts may change, etc. This often happens if, for example, the required font is not available on another computer, or if a doc file is opened in a different version of an office program, or if programs from different manufacturers are used. In order to avoid such problems, the PDF format was invented. Its distinctive feature. is that the pdf document looks the same on all platforms and in all programs in which it is opened.

For a long time, the creation of pdf documents was the domain of highly specialized specialists who used special expensive programs to create such documents. But as the software industry developed, various programs became more accessible to ordinary users. At the same time, the most universal and convenient solution is such technology as virtual printer pdf. This article will tell you what this technology is and how to use one of these programs - the program doPDF printer.

What is a virtual pdf printer?

A virtual printer is a special program that is installed into the operating system and emulates the operation of a regular printer. At the same time, in the system this printer appears in the list of printers and thanks to this the user has the opportunity to send documents to this printer for printing from any program. A virtual pdf printer, when commanded to print a document, instead of printing it on a physical printer, saves the document to a pdf file using predefined settings (page size and orientation, image quality, etc.). As a result, the user receives a ready-made PDF file that can be used in further office work.

PDF printers are divided into two types - those that use third-party programs such as GhostScript to convert print commands into a PDF file, and those that do this directly, without the involvement of third-party programs. Direct conversion, in theory, should work faster, but at the same time, as practice shows, programs using direct conversion may not always cope with the task and printing may freeze, for example, when printing from . Therefore, users in practice try one or another virtual pdf printer, choosing one that suits them in terms of quality and works normally in the programs they are interested in.

How to use doPDF printer?

You can install the program by downloading it from official website. As a result of successful installation of the program, a new dоPDF printer should appear on the system. You can verify this by visiting the “Devices and Printers” section in the Control Panel.

If the specified printer appears in the list of printers, you can begin using it directly. Since for all programs this printer is no different in appearance from other printers, you can use it to create a pdf document in virtually any program that has a print function.

As an example, you can print a text page from the standard WordPad text editor. To do this, we will prepare such a simple text document.

Now you need to send the document for printing. To do this, select the menu item “File / Print”

Typically, most users are satisfied with the standard program settings. But in some cases, you may need to change the quality of the resulting document, page size and page orientation, and print scale. The doPDF printer has a “Settings” button specifically for these purposes.

Unfortunately, the printer settings window has an English interface. But in principle, the customizable parameters themselves are not unusual, and for those who do not speak English but often use printers, there will be nothing incomprehensible here.

As you can see in the settings window there are three important blocks for us (marked with red numbers):

1. Selecting paper size

2. Select paper orientation

3. Selecting the resolution for raster images, as well as the scale (in percentage).

After setting the settings, all that remains is to send the document for printing (and, in fact, save it as a PDF file).

In this case, you should specify the following parameters:

1. Name and path to save the file.

2. PDF quality (low, medium or high).

3. Whether or not to embed fonts in a PDF file.

4. Click “OK” to accept the settings.

The quality setting affects the final file size. If you need to minimize the size (for example, to send by email), then you can sacrifice quality.

The “Embed fonts” checkbox means that the fonts used in the document will be embedded in the PDF file. This, on the one hand, increases the file size, but on the other hand, it guarantees that the document will open in the same form even on computers that do not have such a font installed. After setting all these settings, you must click the “OK” button to save the document to a file.

By opening the saved file in a PDF viewer, you can verify that the file was saved successfully.

conclusions

Using a virtual PDF printer, you can print information to a PDF file from almost any program. And thus obtain a universal document that users can open on any computer devices and any operating systems. One of these printers is the doPDF printer, which, when saving a PDF file, allows you to change the final quality of the saved document, change the page size, and also embed fonts. This allows you to produce PDF files at the optimal size and also ensures their portability to other platforms.

Most virtual PDF printers on Windows are based on Ghostscript software and a PostScript driver. Using the PostScript driver, the printer prints the page in PostScript format and converts it to PDF using Ghostscript.

You can print a test page on your virtual printer. And if you find the text PSCRIPT5 there, then your printer is based on a PostScript driver. And the PDF printer converts PostScript format to PDF. At first glance this seems like a good choice, but in fact, using a PostScript driver for a virtual PDF printer has several major disadvantages.

First of all, it is age. This is not cognac, which only gets better with time. The PostScript driver for Windows was developed more than fifteen years ago and has not received significant updates since then. Hence the problems with supporting oriental languages, non-standard fonts, unreasonably long operating times for programs based on it, and so on. Even the Adobe driver has similar problems. Not to mention other free and shareware printers that use Ghostscript for conversion.

The second problem is the PostScript language itself. Being developed for print publishers, it has a set of capabilities that do not coincide with the requirements for a virtual printer. And the biggest problem is that PostScript can only save fonts as vector fonts and the virtual printer tries to convert them to TrueType format.
PostScript is also an interpreted language. And as you know, any interpretation introduces some error. This results in many errors at the PostScript to PDF conversion stage, which causes different programs to interpret PDF files differently, and this contradicts the very idea of creating PDF. After all, this format, intended for document flow and technical documentation, in theory, should open and look the same on all machines.

The situation becomes especially conflicting when the features of PostScript exceed the capabilities of the software during conversion. After all, here you need a whole interpreter for a computer language, and even one that can create PDF. Is it too much complexity for a regular virtual printer? But the Ghostscript installation file alone takes up more than 12 MB. In addition, double conversion occurs: first to PostScript format, and only then to PDF. And the greater the conversion, the less the resulting document will coincide with the original.

Also, the printer needs to create not just a PDF, but a document in which you, at a minimum, will need functions such as selecting and copying text, text search, etc... Not to mention the fact that in the future you may You will need to open this document for editing. The PostScript architecture contradicts this and the requirements for virtual printers.

Against this background, it seems reasonable to use programs for printing to PDF that are not based on PostScript and its conversion. A good choice is the Redmond-developed XPS format. It was developed by extending the XML format and is intended solely for document management. And on its basis a print driver was created.

The XPS driver uses standard Windows TrueType fonts (as opposed to PostScript). This driver was developed by Microsoft and therefore provides faster response times to the application, faster printing of complex graphics, improved print quality and increased accuracy in document output.

The XPS format is much simpler and lighter than PDF and a virtual printer that uses the XPS driver for PDF printing has many advantages. The printer does not need to convert one format to another. You just need to create a PDF file from XML format. And considering that there is no need to convert fonts to TrueType, since they are already in this format natively, then using an XPS-based driver for a virtual printer is the best solution.

By the way, if you print a text page on your PDF printer and find the text XPSDRV there, this means that your printer is based on the XPS driver.

The virtual printer, which is installed with Master PDF Editor for Windows, is based on XPSDRV. The ImagePrinter Pro virtual printer is based on UNIDRV. This is an ideal way to print documents in image formats and another alternative way to create PDF documents.