Save as PDF

A little while back I had to create a PDF version of an install guide for a maintenance patch release I was putting together.

I hadn't generated a PDF before. Historically the tech writers just took care of it in some mysterious process. Due to some company reorganization it now fell to the developer who was creating the code patch to also put together the PDF patch install guide.

The document was already done and ready to convert from Word. I asked a couple of developer coworkers about how to save as PDF. One of them pointed me in the direction of PDF 995.

It turns out this PDF 995 thing is a very handy utility. Install is fast and easy. It works as a printer driver of all things. So when you click Print the PDF 995 comes up as a "Printer" in your printer list. That's very clever.

It works fine and it generates a nice clean glossy PDF just like you expect. Then you click Save As to save the PDF on your file system and you're done. It's very easy to use.

So +1 for PDF 995, a well designed product.