PS and PDF in Windows - For Free
This document briefly describes the process of creating PS and PDF in Windows. It also tells how PS can be converted to PDF.
PDF from Word
You can easily create PDF-documents from most Windows-applications using the free CutePDF Writer. CutePDF Writer installs as a printer to Windows, and it's free for both personal and commercial use. CutePDF Writer requires an installation of GhostScript, which is published under the AFPL (Aladdin Free Public Licence). AFPL does not allow commercial distribution of the program itself or any work based on the program, but functional use (running) of the program is not restricted.
To create an PDF-document from your Word-document, just select Print from the File-menu, and choose CutePDF Writer for printer.
Image 1. Selecting the printer
After pressing the OK-button, CutePDF Writer asks you the name and location of the PDF to be created. Type in the name and press Save, and you're done.
Image 2. Selecting folder and file name
PS from Word
In order to be able to create PS-files from Word, you'll need to install a postscript printer (you do not really have to own one, but if you do, you can use that one). If you want to create colored PS's, the printer must support color printing. In the example the printer driver is from Tektronix Phaser 740 Extended. The driver is included in Windows XP (just install the printer as a local printer even though you don't have one).
The creation process itself is very simple if you already have an postscript printer. Just select Print from the File-menu, select a printer and check the Print to file -option.
Image 3. Selecting the printer
After pressing OK, you'll get to choose the file name and location. From the bottom of the window, change Save as type to All Files and then give a name to the file and .ps as it extension. Press OK
Image 4. Selecting the filename
PS to PDF
GSView is a program for viewing PS and PDF-files. GSView requires an installation of GhostView. It is also published under the AFPL (see GhostScript above).
GSView can show PS-documents and convert them to many formats, including PDF. To convert a PS-document to PDF, select Convert from File-menu. Select pdfwrite as device, and click OK. Then give a name to the file and press Save.
Image 5. Menu
Image 6. Selecting options
Image 7. Selecting a filename
Other tips
Combine multiple PDF files into a single file:
gswin32 -dBATCH -sDEVICE=pdfwrite -sOutputFile=C:/combined.pdf file1.pdf file2.pdf.....
Examples
The original Word-document is available here.
The first PDF, printed directly from Word is here.
The PS-file printed from Word is here.
The PDF created from the PS above is here.