Print a pdf at larger than intended size? Options

[rbdietz]

I recently bought a Canon A590IS camera. The paper manual is about 4x6 inches and the text is tiny.

If I open the pdf of the manual and set zoom to 200% it appears as about 7x10.5 inches on my computer monitor. I'd like to be able to print the manual at that 7x10.5 inch size. Does anyone know how to accomplish that?

Thanks for taking the time to consider this.

[Tushman]

Without buying the full Adobe Professional version, I don't know any "hack" methods around that. However, there are a number of utilities (both free and shareware) that will convert PDF documents into MS Word format. From there, it would be a simple matter of setting up your page layout, font size, etc.

Coincidentally, I happened to run across a freeware called "pdf to word" that does an excellent job of conversion. However, the website that I found it at, has since taken it down (probably because it was a cracked version). The maker of the software is www.quick-pdf.com. I do not think they have a freeware version on their website.

Through a quick Google search, I was able to find alternative legitimate freeware tools. Try these instead:

http://www.somepdf.com/

http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Utiliti..._converter.html

http://www.brothersoft.com/free-pdf2word-(...load-65674.html

[rbdietz]

However, there are a number of utilities (both free and shareware) that will convert PDF documents into MS Word format. From there, it would be a simple matter of setting up your page layout, font size, etc.

In the case of this document you'd also have to go through and resize a massive number of graphics one by one - so not too practical.

Through a quick Google search, I was able to find alternative legitimate freeware tools. Try these instead:

http://www.somepdf.com/

http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Utiliti..._converter.html

http://www.brothersoft.com/free-pdf2word-(...load-65674.html

The first one - http://www.somepdf.com/ - is totally free, but it had trouble with the graphics in this document. It may still work well on more text oriented pdfs.

The second and third items are both the same cripple-ware download from two different locations - max of 5 pages converted until you pay for the $39.95 licence.

On an real up note - here is a work around that I came up with using GhostScript, GSView and IrfanView.

If anyone just wants to go straight to the Win32 downloads, here they are:

• GhostScript
• GSView
• IrfanView

After installing all three:

1. Run GSView (a graphic front-end to GhostScript).
2. File > Open and navigate to the PDF you want to print at a larger or smaller size.
3. File > Convert
   

   a. To print in black and white, set device: to pnggray
   b. To print in color, set device: to png16m
   c. Example Dialog
   

4. Set Resolution: to 600.
   

   If you need more resolution (1200 dpi for instance) type -r1200 in the Options: box.
   * If you print the document at double size, the real true final print resolution will be 1/2 of the number you use here
   * If you print the document at 50% smaller, this real true final print resolution will be 2x the number you use here.

5. By default all document pages will be converted. If you only want some particular page(s), make your selection(s).
6. Leave page size set to the default - Variable Page Size.
7. Click OK.
8. Navigate to the folder you want to save into.
9. Set File name:
   

   to NAMEYOUWANT %d.png (documents less then 10 pages)
   or NAMEYOUWANT %2d.png (documents less than 100 pages)
   or NAMEYOUWANT %3d.png (documents less than 1000 pages)
   SPECIAL NOTE: Be sure to included the file extension - .png

10. When the conversion is done, open IrfanView.
11. File > Thumbnails and navigate to the folder you saved the converted pages into.
12. Select the pages you want to print.
13. File > Print selected files as single images...
14. Set Print size: to Best fit to page (aspect ratio).
    (Or choose a custom print size)
15. OPTIONAL - Give Center image a check mark.
16. Click the Print button.

[Webb]

This requires 2 clicks with Foxit Reader.

File>Print
Page scaling>Fit to paper

[rbdietz]

This requires 2 clicks with Foxit Reader.

File>Print
Page scaling>Fit to paper

Thanks, Webb. That is easier.
Wish I'd been more patient or that you had shown up sooner.

Forgot to say it earlier - Thanks, Tushman.

[Tushman]

Thanks, Webb. That is easier.
Wish I'd been more patient or that you had shown up sooner.

Forgot to say it earlier - Thanks, Tushman.

Glad you got it worked out. Main thing is that you were determined enough to figure it out. There's more than one way to skin a cat and although you may not have used the most direct method, the end result is nearly the same.

I completely forgot about Ghostview. I should thought about that function because I use it frequently on my main rig to convert MS word documents into PDF. By the way, the first one I mentioned (PDF to word) is not 'cracked' but it too, is a "crippled" version of some sort. I found out today by testing your owners manual that if the PDF is over a certain limit (I think 40 pages), it puts a watermark on all the pages. I thought it was free because the first sample that I used only had a few pages. At any rate, I found at Megaleecher.net. you might still be able to find it there.

This post has been edited by Tushman: Nov 29 2008, 07:21 PM

[rbdietz]

I found out today by testing your owners manual that if the PDF is over a certain limit (I think 40 pages), it puts a watermark on all the pages.

I'd guess you're just seeing a watermark encoded in the original pdf. In GhostScript I see the word "Copy" in light grey inside a katty-corner box on each page. When I ran it through SomePDF the word "Copy" didn't appear, but the katty-corner box was still there. Don't see it Adobe or FoxIt.

Thanks again.