CC PDF Converter 0.7

Overview

To convert documents to PDF files you must use specialized software like CC PDF Converter; a program that supports conversion of a lot of file types to PDF files without much hustle. It is an open-source software, meaning that developers can grab its source-code and experiment with it under the terms of GPL licensing.

Installation

Run the installer and follow a series of simple steps in order to complete the process. No steps with advanced settings are included in it. At some point you will be asked if you want to install the Excel Add-in, which basically allows you to convert Excel files directly to PDF, keeping hyperlinks.

The setup package is clean from spyware, adware, viruses, etc. and it doesn’t install any additional 3^rd party software either.

Supported operating systems are Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8.

Interface

CC PDF Converter doesn’t have a main interface, but instead it uses the print dialog to function. So, whenever you open a program that supports printing its contents, you can use CC PDF Converter to convert its files. So you could say the print dialog is its main interface, from where you can adjust different settings like print range, print handling (copies, scaling type, page zoom, etc.) and many others.

Pros

The main advantage of this program is that it can handle anything that can be printed. There’s no restriction on the file types, as long as you’re viewing the file you want to convert in a program that supports printing. Then all you have to do is choose CC PDF Converter as the printer, make the settings you wish and proceed with the virtual print. Upon initialization of the operation (starting the printing process) you will be asked the directory in which you want to save the PDF file. Then wait a few moments until the conversion finishes and you’re done.

The available settings allow you to edit the document before it’s converted in any way you could edit a document before you print it. For instance, you can define which pages of the document you want to convert, choose the number of copies you want to make, scaling type and page zoom, change orientation, use black/white instead of color, add a license (Creative Common, Sampling or Public Domain) in the last page of the document and do a lot of other stuff.

The Excel Add-in, which you are asked to install during the setup, can convert Excel files directly while keeping hyperlinks.

Cons

It doesn’t have many features of its own, but depends on the features from the Print dialog.

Alternatives

PDFCreator (free) is the most popular software for converting files to PDF. However it comes with a big price if you don’t exclude the installation of a toolbar during the setup procedure, since it’s a browser-hijacking toolbar. Other choices, safer and equally good, are CutePDF Writer (free), doPDF (paid), PrimoPDF (free), GreenCloud Printer (free) and PDF24 Creator (free).

Conclusion

It’s a decent tool for converting documents to PDF files, and although there are better ones you can try this one is worth checking out as well.