Convert PCL to PDF in Java & J2SE Applications

Convert Password Protected PCL to PDF

Accurately load and convert documents that are protected with a password within your Java based applications. The file format conversion API also supports rendering remote documents from different sources including S3, Blob, FTP, Stream, URL or a local disk.

Create new instance of Converter class and pass source document path
Instantiate the proper ConvertOptions class e.g. (PdfConvertOptions, WordProcessingConvertOptions, SpreadsheetConvertOptions etc.)
Call convert method of Converter class instance and pass filename for the converted document

Source Document Information Extraction

The documents information extraction feature not only allows getting the basic information about the source document file but it also supports extracting some valuable file-format specific information such as project start and end dates of a Microsoft Project file, any printing restrictions on a PDF document, list of folders enclosed in an Outlook data file etc.

Convert popular document file formats on different operating systems such as Windows, Linux or macOS while using development environments such as NetBeans, IntelliJ IDEA and Eclipse.

Convert Specific Word Pages to PDF in Java

Java document conversion API allows you to choose selected pages from the source document and accurately convert to the supported document format. The code example below shows how to convert the 1st and 4th pages of a Word document to the resultant PDF file.

Create a new instance of Converter class and load input (Word) document
Instantiate the proper ConvertOptions class e.g. (PdfConvertOptions, WordProcessingConvertOptions, SpreadsheetConvertOptions etc)
Set setPages property of the ConvertOptions instance and mention specific page number to be converted
Call convert method of Converter class instance and pass filename (PDF) for the converted document

Caching Converted Document Results

In some cases, the converted document size is bigger and it takes time to be converted. The document conversion library offers the caching feature to efficiently manage such situations and speed up the repetitive conversion process. Enable the ICache interface to work with custom cache implementation using the extension point and control the cache conversion, as you prefer.

The conversion result is saved to the local drive by default but any type of cache storage can be supported by implementing the appropriate interfaces such as Amazon S3, Dropbox, Google Drive, Windows Azure, Reddis or any other.

What is PCL file format?

PCL (Printer Command Language) is a page description language from Hewlett-Packard used for a variety of laser printers. It is a binary file format used for creating and printing documents, such as text, graphics and images. PCL documents contain commands for controlling a printer, such as font selection, line drawing and text manipulation. Files with the PCL extension are called spool files, and are created when a computer sends a document to a printer for printing. PCL files can be opened and edited with a text editor, as long as the editor is capable of reading binary files. However, the PCL format is complex, making it difficult to interpret and modify.

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What is PDF file format?

PDF (Portable Document Format) is a widely used document file format developed by Adobe Systems in 1993. It was specifically designed to provide a platform-independent solution for storing and sharing documents across various operating systems and over the Internet. PDFs utilize a vector-based drawing model, storing graphical elements such as lines, shapes, and images as mathematical equations. This unique approach ensures that PDFs are resolution independent, guaranteeing consistent document quality regardless of the viewing device or program.

One of the key advantages of PDFs is their support for a range of security features. Encryption, password protection, digital signatures, and document watermarking are among the security measures available. These features make PDFs highly secure and suitable for sensitive documents, such as medical records, legal documents, government forms, and invoices. The printing industry also heavily relies on PDFs to facilitate electronic communication with customers.

Creating PDFs is a straightforward process, as they can be generated from various electronic document formats, including Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, and webpages. It’s important to note that PDFs are typically not editable directly. To modify the content of a PDF, it must first be converted to a different file format that supports editing. Numerous software programs, many of which are freely available for download, offer the functionality to convert PDFs to editable formats.

PDFs have gained immense popularity and have become a standard method for document sharing due to their versatility, security features, and consistent formatting. Their compatibility across different devices and operating systems ensures seamless document access for users. Additionally, PDFs preserve the layout, fonts, and images of the original document, making them an ideal choice for sharing visually rich content.

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