PDF Questions

Can I use Convert to PDF to create PDF files?
Yes, you can use Convert to PDF to create searchable Adobe PDF files from any application.

1. Print your document to the Convert to PDF virtual printer to launch the Convert to PDF settings dialog.
2. Press the Start button to begin creating your PDF. It's that simple.

What applications work with Convert to PDF?
Any Microsoft Windows application that supports printing will work with the Convert to PDF printer - simply choose the Convert to PDF printer from the Print dialog of your application.

What version of Adobe does Convert to PDF support?
PDF files created by Convert to PDF can be opened in Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat version 5.0 and greater.

Can I append to another PDF file using Convert to PDF?
No, Convert to PDF cannot append to existing PDF files.

How can I change the settings of the PDF file I am creating?
Each time you print to the Convert to PDF printer, a settings dialog is shown. Use the category list on the left hand side to find and change any options that you need to modify. Clicking on the category title will show the settings you can change for that category in the panel to the right.

Can Convert to PDF create PDF files from AutoCAD?
Yes, Convert to PDF can create PDF files from AutoCAD. For more information on how to set up the printer and paper sizes for AutoCAD select the Configuring Tab on this page.

Can Convert to PDF convert from PDF to Word?
No, Convert to PDF can only create PDF files from documents printed to it from other applications such as Microsoft Word or AutoCAD.

Does Convert to PDF retain form fields when converting from Word to PDF?
No, Convert to PDF does not maintain form fields when converting Word documents to PDF files.

Can Convert to PDF retain bookmarks and hyperlinks when converting from Word or other Office applications to PDF?
No, Convert to PDF does not retain bookmark and hyperlink information.

Can I combine or append files into a single PDF using Convert to PDF? No, Convert to PDF cannot combine or append files together. It creates a single PDF file from whatever document you print.

Installation Questions

I installed the application, but there is no icon on my desktop. Is my install complete?
There is no desktop icon with Convert to PDF. Convert to PDF is a virtual printer that is installed into your Printers and Faxes folder. When you print to the Convert to PDF printer, the Convert to PDF settings dialog is shown. Press the Start button in the lower right corner to create your PDF.

Why do I get the error message "Cannot find the file 'MSIEXEC' (or one of its components)" when I try to install?
You need to download and install the Windows Installer Redistributable. Click the link to the Microsoft website relevant to your operating system:

Windows Installer Redistributable for Windows 2000

Note that the Windows XP operating system contains Windows Installer 2.0 and therefore cannot be installed or upgraded by this redistributable.

Licensing Questions

I’ve purchased the product but I did not get my serial number.
Your serial number was sent to you in your order confirmation e-mail . The e-mail address used is the address that you used when you set up your account on the PEERNET Store.

Check any spam filters or junk e-mail folders as the e-mail is sometimes thought to be spam or junk mail. You can also log into your account at the PEERNET Store to retrieve your serial number.

I’ve purchased the product but I still get the evaluation watermark on my PDF files. How do I get rid of the watermark?
You need to activate the product using the serial number sent to you in your order confirmation e-mail. You can also log into your account at the PEERNET Store to find your serial number. From the Start menu, click Programs – Convert to PDF – License… to launch the activation wizard. Complete instructions for activating the product are included in the User Guide.

How do I activate the Convert to PDF product with my serial number?
From the Start menu, click Programs – Convert to PDF – License… to launch the activation wizard. Complete instructions for activating the product are included in the User Guide.

How do I find my Product Serial Number?
If you have not yet activated the product, your serial number was sent to you in your order confirmation e-mail. You can also log into your account at the PEERNET Store to retrieve your serial number.

If you have activated your product, your serial number is displayed in the upper left corner of the settings dialog when you print to the Convert to PDF printer. You can also view your activation information, including your serial number, by going to the Start menu, clicking Programs – Convert to PDF – License…

I’ve gotten a new computer and when I try to install Convert to PDF it tells me that I have already activated the product. Do I have to buy it again?
- or-
I have to re-install due to a crash, and when I try to install Convert to PDF it tells me that I have already activated the product. Do I have to buy it again?
If you are moving your license to a new computer, or if you have to reinstall the software on your computer due to a crash, you do not need to purchase additional activations. Please contact PEERNET sales at peernet@peernet.com with your serial number for assistance.

Configuration Questions

I don’t want to see the interface, I just want to create a PDF. How can I set Convert to PDF up to create a PDF with a single click? The Convert to PDF printer can be confirgured to not show the settings dialog and to automatically create the PDF file. See the section Setting up 1-Click PDF Creation in Chapter 3 of the User Guide.

How can I get the smallest PDF file possible?
The compression methods and image downsampling options used to store any images in your document will have the greatest effect on the actual size on disk of your PDF file. If there are no images in your document, the following options will have no effect.

Reducing the downsampling DPI can decrease your file size, but it does so at the expense if image quality. You may need to try different downsampling settings to find what works best for your document.

In some cases, simply changing the compression method used can drastically reduce the size of your file. A general rule of thumb is as follows:

I printed to the Convert to PDF virtual printer and got Letter-sized paper but I wanted A4. How do I get a different page size?
The default paper size for the Convert to PDF virtual printer is 8½ x 11 inches. To change this size, go to Edit – Convert to Printer Settings… and change the printer to use your desired paper size.

NOTE: Some application may require you to change the paper size from within their print or page setup options, and some applications may require you to close and re-open them to pick up changes made to the printer properties.

How can I configure Convert to PDF to plot to any size paper from within AutoCAD? or
My AutoCAD drawing is not the correct page size when I create a PDF file. How do I fix this?

Please close your AutoCAD application before making these changes.

1. Open the Printers folder (Start->Settings->Printers and faxes)
2. In the Printers folder window menu, select File - Server Properties.
3. In the Server Properties dialog, on the Forms tab, check "Create a New Form"
4. Enter a descriptive name in the "Form Description for:" field (e.g. "30 x 42" or "36 x 48").
5. Set the Measurement units to "Inches"
6. Enter the desired Width and Height

   IMPORTANT: Make Width < Height, you can always choose Landscape orientation later. e.g. Width 30, Height 42

7. Click "Save Form"
8. Repeat steps 3-7 for each new paper size you want to create.
9. Click OK when you are done.
10. Open your drawing in AutoCAD. Select File - Plot, and in the Plot dialog, set the Plot device to PDF Creator Plus.
11. On the Plot Settings tab, select the desired paper size, orientation (Landscape), and scale (Scale to fit), and click OK.

When I try to plot from AutoCAD, the Convert to PDF printer does not appear in the list of available plotters.

To resolve this issue, follow the steps below.

1. Close the Plot dialog.
2. Select File - Page Setup.
3. In the Page Setup dialog, click the Options button (bottom right)
4. In the Options dialog (Plotting tab), UNCHECK "Hide system printers" (bottom left)
5. Click Apply & Close, then OK.