PDF Direct provides the ability to print a PDF document directly from within a 4th Dimension database. PDF Direct works with 4th Dimension 6.0 through 4th Dimension 2004. Using PDF Direct, 4D Developers can programmatically name and deliver any 4D Print job, with appropriate specifications, into an Adobe Acrobat "PDF" format file. The new version 2 provides OS X compatibility.

Portable Document Format (PDF) is the most commonly used document format in the world and the most widely used format for viewing on-line documentation. PDF Direct™ is a 4th Dimension plug-in that provides the ability to print a PDF document directly from within a 4th Dimension 6.x database, including 6.8. Using PDF Direct, 4D Developers can now programmatically name and deliver any 4D Print job, with appropriate specifications, into an Adobe Acrobat "PDF" format file.

The PDF format has great appeal when paper or a "hardcopy" is not required for the intended readers. With the predominance of email and Adobe’s free Acrobat Reader, attaching a PDF document within an email transmission is universally appealing because of it’s speed and thrift. Similarly, in comparison to a faxed document, PDF has no loss of resolution as it delivers your documents with the exact same definition in which they were created. PDF supports color, grayscale and, in general, preserves the creator’s document with no loss of definition regardless of the reader’s computer platform.

PDF Direct supports color & grayscale and generally preserves the creator’s document with no loss of definition regardless of the user’s computer platform. On Macintosh OS X, PDF Direct utilizes the OS X operating system's PDF creation capabilities. On Macintosh OS 8, 9 and Windows, PDF Direct works directly with Adobe's PDFWriter. Under PDF Direct version 2.1, the 4D plug-in also works with UK-based Tracker's PDF-XChange print driver. Adobe's PDFWriter or PDF-XChange are a requirement of PDF Direct for Windows applications.

While PDF Direct gives 4D Developers access to PDF document printing capabilities directly from within 4D, these print capabilities should not be confused with the direct construction of a PDF document using PDF language and commands. This type of ground-up, piecemeal building and construction of a PDF document is not presently a feature of PDF Direct.

NOTE: Adobe Acrobat's PDF Writer or Tracker's PDF-Xchange is required for PDF Direct to run correctly. This plug-in will not work with Acrobat 6 and Distiller. When installing Adobe Acrobat 5, you must choose to install PDF Writer. It will not install this automatically.

Pricing Information

PDF Direct plug-in:

PDF-XChange Windows Print Driver: