Looking for a good free PDF Printer

[sheeny]

Can anyone recommend a good free PDF Printer / Creator for Windows 7 64 bit?

In the past I've used PDF Creator and Cute PDF but I can't get them to install the printer drivers correctly for some reason. I have tried a few others that say they are free, but after installation I find they are only trial versions.:rolleyes:

Thanks,

Al.

[Barrykgerdes]

Hi Al

What do you actually mean by a pdf printer?

I use any of the "free" Adobe readers to print my pdf's on a Brother double sided colour laser. Windows 7/8 drivers are included. I can also print the same stuff on a cheap HP inkjet.

If you want a program to make pdf's I use Adobe Pro ver 8. This was released "free" and works great. Misses a few features of the later versions but is still very versatile.

I use the same programs and drivers etc on XP pro, Win 7 64bit, Win 8.1 on a range of PC's and lap tops.

Barry

[h0ughy]

thats good to know, thanks

[sheeny]

I want to produce a PDF using a virtual printer.

All the MS Office software lets me save a file as a PDF which is fine, but say I want to produce a PDF from a web page (such as I do for the skylists for IISAC) Firefox and Chrome don't have a Save As PDF option. It's not something I do a lot of these days, so I don't want to spend money on it.:)

I had to go back to my old 32 bit XP Lappy to produce this year's lists for IISAC, and one day I won't be able to...

Al.

[Barrykgerdes]

Hi Al

If I want to process a web page I just select all the data with the mouse and copy it into Win word. I can then treat the page as a normal document and make it into a pdf.

Here is a quick test of this on a rather unsuitable web page. The document is too big to upload but the pdf produced on Adobe is attached

Barry

[sheeny]

Yeah, I could do that. I used to do a lot of PDF's back in my training days, so I guess I'm still in the mentality that processing steps are a killer when you are doing it a lot.:)

I've since been doing some hacking and slashing, and finally got CutePDF Writer going.:thumbsup: I'll have another go now on my 64 bit lappy and see how much I did on the desktop was unnecessary.:lol:

Al.

[Barrykgerdes]

I make hundreds of manuals in pdf form mainly using Adobe 8. But another good program is Lyx. This program is free and can create marvelous documents in many forms including pdf. It takes a bit of learning but it is amazing what it can do with index and references etc all automatically generated

http://barry.sarcasmogerdes.com/stellarium/stellarium_user_guide-new.pdf

Another program that was recomended to me was Nitro. This is a very versatile pdf generator but not free (quite cheap ). However I paid for it and installed it on my old XP but when I wanted to transfer it to my main computer I found it is a single licence and would need to pay for every computer. I have not used it again because the computer it is on is broken.

Here is a document with embedded hyperlinks to a range of pdf's I have made.

[acropolite]

Primo PDF is an excellent free print to PDF printer, it doesn't however allow creation or editing of PDF's from scratch. The Authors of Primo PDF also make the afformentioned Nitro PDF which they offer on special every so often, the full price is a very reasonable $159 from memory for they usually offer it for under $100.

[sheeny]

Thanks guys.

FYI CutePDF Writer installed straight onto my Win 7 64 bit lappy without any tinkering. There must just be something odd about my desktop.:shrug: All working fine now though.

Al.

[RB]

Yep I use Primo PDF for all my work. I simply "Print" the file to Primo PDF Printer and it allows me to save anything as a PDF.

I don't know if the original is still available though.
From memory I installed it from a Magazine CD years ago.

:shrug:

[acropolite]

Still available still free.

http://www.primopdf.com/

[h0ughy]

when he means years ago insert nearly 15 years - if you have seen his PC you would understand this:rofl::P

[RB]

Thanks Phil, but I'm afraid Houghy's right, I meant the original Primo from years ago. :confused2: :lol:

Dave's seen my dinosaur XP computer (with its guts hanging out).
I've got the parts to build my new desktop now so will upgrade soon.

:)

[tlgerdes]

I use PDF995, works well, but free version has annoying Ad popups prompting you to buy. I only PDF stuff once or twice a month so just live with its curiosities.

[mithrandir]

Al, CutePDF runs fine on my Windows 7 64 bit box. IIRC it requires Ghostscript.

I just tested by printing this page and would attach it, except it is over 600KB.