SwiftPublish captures PDF, Microsoft Office(TM), HTML, or any other Windows documents, then converts them to small, accurate, searchable, print-ready PCL or archive-ready TIFF or PDF files. 

SwiftPublish can now batch-print PDF files to any Windows printer.

Automate your print, document delivery, content management, and archiving workflows:

It's Easy:  Just print to the SwiftPublish "virtual printer", copy files to a "hot folder", or run a simple batch file conversion utility. 
It's Configurable:  SwiftPublish processes the output document according to your custom SwiftPublish configuration.
It's Reliable:  SwiftPublish includes high quality print utilities, or works with any print-capable Windows program such as Microsoft Word to faithfully transform documents.  Because the document was rendered by its native application, you know it's accurate.

Need to convert PCL, HPGL, or TIFF files to PDF, TIFF, or text?  Try SwiftConvert. 

Example Applications

Import PDF and Windows documents into your product or application:  Do you have a PCL or TIFF-based document, print, or imaging workflow?  Leverage your investment to serve users and customers who do not have PCL or TIFF data.  SwiftPublish converts to PCL or TIFF and automatically invokes your program.

Import PDF and Windows documents to SwiftView Tools:  Take advantage of SwiftView viewing, conversion, indexing, and analysis technology, regardless of the original document type.

Networked print services:  SwiftPublish makes it easy to deploy server-based printing solutions.  Import PDF or other file types to PCL, then transfer the PCL directly to LaserJet-compatible printers or convert to print to any Windows printer.  SwiftPublish makes printing easier, faster, and more accurate for your users.

Archiving and document management systems:  Zipped PCL is an excellent archiving and document distribution format, offering smaller file sizes than TIFF or PDF and retaining searchability.  SwiftPublish imports other file types into your PCL-based archive. 

See the DirMon examples in Getting Started Evaluating SwiftPublish to learn how SwiftPublish is configured to perform these tasks. 

General Features

• Automate your conversion workflows: A simple command-line utility allows you to batch-convert files under control of your application, according to settings you supply on the command line.
• Easily convert single files: Users just print to the SwiftPublish printer or drop a file in a hot folder to manually capture and convert any Windows document.
• Convert to zipped PCL: Then use SwiftView Viewer to accurately view and print zipped PCL. It's a better portable document format than PDF.
• Capture searchable text: Document text is stored in the PCL file for SwiftView and SwiftConvert to select, search, extract, and convert.  Documents converted to TIFF/PDF remain searchable.
• PDF converter is included: No external Acrobat or other PDF print utility is required, simplifying installation and insuring reliable operation.
• Convert to TIFF/PDF: SwiftPublish can save the PCL print data as TIFF or PDF, using built-in format conversion.
• Color output option
• Directory Monitor: SwiftPublish monitors one or more folders for incoming files and outputs them according to rules you configure.  Perfect for simple network file server-based deployment.
• Directory Monitor configuration user interface: Makes it easy to setup monitored directories and conversion workflows.
• Directory Monitor load management: Configure the maximum number of simultaneous processes.
• Package multiple documents: Any number of various types of files can be combined into a single document or print job using the batch utility.

Customize SwiftPublish For Your Application

Configure SwiftPublish features in a file you supply at installation, in your Directory Monitor configuration, or when you invoke the SwiftPublish batch conversion utility:

• Compress into a zip file for document distribution or archiving
• Save the PCL/TIFF file in a location of your choosing
• Write the PCL or TIFF files to a configured directory, e.g. on a network filesystem
• Print the PCL file to a Windows printer
• Generate a unique output filename for each processed document
• Run your application on the PCL or TIFF file

Supported Input Document Types

SwiftPublish can work with any program capable of printing on Windows to convert that program's files to PCL/TIFF.  This insures that your files are rendered with the latest technology available from leading software vendors.  You are responsible for licensing printing applications from your vendor of choice.  We specifically test and support importing these files, using these programs:

• PDF: a PDF print utility is included, no external program required.
• .doc .ppt, .xls, or other Microsoft Office document files: Microsoft Office 2003/2007.
• TIFF, PCL, or HPGL: a print utility is included.  Note: Only TIFF files produced by Microsoft Office Document Imaging and SwiftView Tools support searchable text.
• HTML: Internet Explorer.
• Outlook .msg: Contact us for information on importing email files; an optional .msg print utility is available.
• plain text or PCL: plain text is a subset of PCL; both are simply copied without change.  Note: we recommend using SwiftConvert to convert PCL or text directly to TIFF or PDF.

See the SwiftPublish application notes for more information about integrating specific printing applications. 

Capture searchable text

PCL print files produced by Windows 2000/XP+ printer drivers are commonly not searchable - the text is "scrambled".  SwiftPublish overcomes this problem by capturing all visible, searchable text printed by the application and storing it as hidden data in the PCL file.  SwiftView Viewer and SwiftConvert can then search, select, analyze, and extract the text.  The hidden text never interferes with copying the PCL file to a printer, and only slightly increases the file size. 

Note: SwiftPublish text capture is not optical character recognition ("OCR").  Some applications display text that is actually part of an image.  SwiftPublish cannot capture this "text".  SwiftPublish captures exactly the text that can be searched or selected when viewing the original document.  If you find that your application displays text that SwiftPublish cannot capture, contact us about adding OCR capabilities. 

How are SwiftPublish+PCL better?

SwiftPublish, SwiftView Tools, and PCL/TIFF offer many advantages over other print, document workflow, and archiving solutions:

• PCL and TIFF are non-proprietary formats with a long history of reliable use.
• The PCL produced by SwiftPublish is the actual print stream from your application, as it printed on your LaserJet-compatible printer.  Unlike typical converters or Windows "print distillers" (e.g., to PDF), you have no worries about inaccurate conversions with SwiftPublish, and printer controls such as duplexing and tray selection are preserved.
• Unlike typical Windows "print to file" drivers (e.g., to fax), SwiftPublish captures the document's original searchable text.
• SwiftView is a high-performance, production-quality viewer.  No waiting for viewer startup!

Check out these links to learn more: