Doro PDF (virtual printer)

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Midas
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Doro PDF (virtual printer)

#1 Post by Midas »

Doro PDF (http://thesz.diecru.eu/content/doro.php) is yet another free PDF printer -- not much to say about it, barring the fact that it isn't portable (settings are written to 'HKCU\Software\CompSoft\Doro'), has a wealth of hidden settings in a INI file at install location ('%ProgramFiles(x86)%\DoroPDFWriter\Doro.ini' by default) and depends on GhostScript, which it packs statically compiled into a single DLL file ('%ProgramFiles(x86)%\DoroPDFWriter\GS\bin\gsdll32.dll').
http://thesz.diecru.eu/content/doro.php wrote:Create colored PDF files from any windows application for free. No banners nor any annoying restrictions!
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Doro PDF latest version (currently v2.06) can be downloaded from http://thesz.diecru.eu/content/doro.php.

FYI, here's the well documented default content of 'Doro.ini' mentioned above:

Code: Select all

'
' remove the ' sign in front of the options to enable them
'
' these options can also be set in the registry at HKCU\Software\CompSoft\Doro\Ini
'

[Values]
' {save} - use last title instead of document name
'Title=Sample Title

' {save} - use last title instead of document name
'Subject=Sample Subject

' {save} - use last title instead of document name
'Keywords=Sample Keywords

'Author=Sample Author

'Producer=Sample Producer

'Path=C:\Sample\Path

'File=SampleFileName

' file name template
' *FILE* will be replaced with the document name
' use special characters to add date/time values
' http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd317787(v=vs.85).aspx
' http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd318148(v=vs.85).aspx
'FileTemplate=*FILE* dd-MM-yyyy hh_mm_ss

'LaunchViewer=1

' ShellExecute command or 'sendmail' to send as attachment, or '@application *FILE*' to execute an external application
'LaunchCommand=print

' 1 - automatically start conversion
'AutoStart=1

' 0 - ask if file exist
' 1 - always overwrite
' 2 - rename new files adding 1, 2, 3...
' 3 - merge with / append to existing file
'Overwrite=0

' use 72 for better picture compression
'ColorImageResolution=300

' 3 - set pdf version to 1.3
' 4 - set pdf version to 1.4
' 5 - set pdf version to 1.5
'Version=3

' 0 - normal user interface
' 1 - smaller user interface
' 2 - normal user interface without settings tab and with disabled autoupdate function
' 3 - no user interface, AutoStart will be set to 1 automatically
'ReducedUI=1

' 0 - General
' 1 - Encryption
' 2 - Settings
'SelectedTab=0

' 0 - 'Use 128-bit encryption' will always be unchecked
' 1 - remember 'Use 128-bit encryption' checkbox state
'RememberEncryptionSettings=1

' 0 - don't use encryption
' 1 - use encryption
' 2 - create 2 files, one encrypted, one non-encrypted
' 3 - create 2 files, one encrypted with user password, one encrypted without user password
'UseEncryption=1
'AllowCopyPaste=1
'AllowPrint=1

' password used for encryption
'UserPassword=super secure
'MasterPassword=much more secure

' pdf/png/jpg/tif
'OutputFormat=pdf

' 1 - don't show message box on error
'Silent=1

' 1 - remove 'No Re-Distill' print protection
'RemovePrintProtection=1

' additional flags of user access permissions for encrypted pdf files
' see http://www.adobe.com/content/dam/Adobe/en/devnet/acrobat/pdfs/pdf_reference_1-7.pdf Page 123 Table 'User access permissions'
'UserAccessPermissions=1024

' 1 - create 'Fast Web View' pdf format
'UseFastWebView=1

' SinglePage, OneColumn, TwoColumnLeft, TwoColumnRight, TwoPageLeft, TwoPageRight - specify how the pages should be shown on opening the pdf file
'PageLayout=SinglePage

' UseOutlines, UseThumbs, UseOC, FullScreen, UseAttachments - specify which additional view should be shown on opening the pdf file
'PageMode=UseThumbs

' specify which page should be shown on opening the pdf file
'Page=2

' Fit, FitH, FitV, FitB, FitBH, FitBV - specify how the pages should be zoomed on opening the pdf file
'View=FitV

' Should the rotation of pages automatically be detected?
' PageByPage, All or None
'PageRotation=PageByPage

' How to convert colors into PDF color space
' UseDeviceIndependentColor, LeaveColorUnchanged, RGB, CMYK and Gray are possible
'ColorConversionStrategy=UseDeviceIndependentColor

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Midas
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Re: Doro PDF (virtual printer)

#2 Post by Midas »

Doro PDF v2.12 released (version changelog and download at http://www.the-sz.com/products/doro/).
Version 2.12 · 14. Sep 2018 · 16.3MB
New: Watermark Doro.ini option added
You can specify all settings, set auto-printing and specify the output file format like pdf, png, jpg or tif.
The search order for each setting is:
- 'Doro.ini' in the users local app data folder: 'C:\Users\<user_name>\AppData\Local\Doro\';
- 'Doro.ini' in the install directory: 'C:\Program Files (x86)\DoroPDFWriter\' (See this file for all possible options)
- In the registry at 'HKCU\Software\CompSoft\Doro\Ini'.

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webfork
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Re: Doro PDF (virtual printer)

#3 Post by webfork »

Midas wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 9:56 am Doro PDF v2.12 released (version changelog and download at http://www.the-sz.com/products/doro/).
Version 2.12 · 14. Sep 2018 · 16.3MB
New: Watermark Doro.ini option added
You can specify all settings, set auto-printing and specify the output file format like pdf, png, jpg or tif.
The search order for each setting is:
- 'Doro.ini' in the users local app data folder: 'C:\Users\<user_name>\AppData\Local\Doro\';
- 'Doro.ini' in the install directory: 'C:\Program Files (x86)\DoroPDFWriter\' (See this file for all possible options)
- In the registry at 'HKCU\Software\CompSoft\Doro\Ini'.
Is this a virtual PDF printer? As in you can print from a given program and - instead of coming out of a printer - it comes out as a PDF file?

I ask because I'm assuming virtual printers are never going to be portable as they play around with too many Windows settings.

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Midas
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Re: Doro PDF (virtual printer)

#4 Post by Midas »

webfork wrote: Is this a virtual PDF printer? As in you can print from a given program and - instead of coming out of a printer - it comes out as a PDF file?

I ask because I'm assuming virtual printers are never going to be portable as they play around with too many Windows settings.

Afirmative on the two questions. Doro PDF seems to be the closest you get to a portable virtual printer and I'm sure if someone pressed his head into this he would eventually find a way to turn system integration on and off at will -- like it's currently done with virtual drive managers, for instance... 8)

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Re: Doro PDF (virtual printer)

#5 Post by webfork »

Just tested it out by printing this forum.

Image

Very nice. This is quality, simple freeware by some charitable devs. I'd given up on PDF printing tools that didn't come with a bunch of extra, wasteful junk so this was a very nice find.

---

Security note: I did some digging and the "128 bit" is RC4 encryption, which is considered weak security but probably more than adequate for most people, so long as long passwords are used. Note that only a few freeware tools do anything other than 128 bit RC4, but PDFXChange Editor (pictured above) can add strong security to PDF files.

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webfork
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Re: Doro PDF (virtual printer)

#6 Post by webfork »

Update: still not portable (the FAQ even lists the settings locations):
- Doro.ini in the users local app data folder: C:\Users\<user_name>\AppData\Local\Doro\
- Doro.ini in the install directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\DoroPDFWriter\ (See this file for all possible options)
- In the registry at HKCU\Software\CompSoft\Doro\Ini
But still in development with an update a few months back according to Softpedia
https://www.softpedia.com/get/Office-to ... iter.shtml

Definitely my go-to print-to-PDF tool.

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Midas
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Re: Doro PDF (virtual printer)

#7 Post by Midas »

FYI, Doro PDF Writer homepage is currently at https://the-sz.com/products/doro/.

Other usability options with portability(?) implications are noted in the FAQ:
Multiple Doro PDF printers with different configurations

You can create multiple Doro PDF printers by duplicating 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers\<name>'.
To specify a different 'Doro.ini' or settings registry location, create "DoroSettingsIni [default: full path to Doro.ini]" or "DoroSettingsRegistry [default: Software\CompSoft\Doro]" inside this registry locations.


Latest Doro PDF Writer is v2.15 released 2020-12-11 (no official full changelog) -- changelog below, down to v1.63 released 2011-05-05, compiled from various sources (mainly Softpedia):

Code: Select all

Doro PDF Writer 2.15 released Dec 11, 2020 (New Release)
New: *MACHINE_NAME*, *MACHINE_IP* and *USER_NAME* are now available in FileTemplate,
LaunchViewer=2 forces execution of LaunchCommand, even on remote printing

Doro PDF Writer 2.14 released Sep 2, 2020 (New Release)
Korean translation added.

Doro PDF Writer 2.13 released Sep 14, 2018 (New Release)
New: Arabic translation added

Doro PDF Writer 2.11 released Sep 8, 2017 (New Release)
New: Turkish translation added

Doro PDF Writer 2.10 released Nov 4, 2016 (New Release)
New: Slovak translation added,
LaunchCommand option supports now multiple commands,
sendmail option improved

New in Doro PDF Writer 2.09 (January 31, 2017)
New: Hungarian translation added,
Environment variables can be used in LaunchCommand option

Doro PDF Writer 2.08 released Nov 4, 2016 (New Release)
Multi doro printer support added,
sendmail function improved,
minor user interface improvement

New in Doro PDF Writer 2.07 (February 20, 2016)
Russian and Ukrainian translation

Doro PDF Writer 2.06 released Jan 18, 2016 (New Release)
Color conversion and page rotation option added,
compatibility improved

Doro PDF Writer 2.05 released Jan 4, 2016 (New Release)
Windows XP append and overwrite option added,
more Doro.ini options added

Doro PDF Writer 2.04 released Sep 25, 2015 (New Release)
Czech translation added

New in Doro PDF Writer 2.03 (June 13, 2015)
Encrypted PDF file append error handling improved

Doro PDF Writer 2.02 released May 8, 2015 (New Release)
New: Brazilian translations added,
PDF file append error handling improved

New in Doro PDF Writer 2.01 (April 15, 2015)
"Can't create file" error fixed

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.99 (February 21, 2015)
Additional pdf view options in the ini file added

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.98 (February 18, 2015)
Swedish translation added

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.97 (February 10, 2015)
Windows 98 crash fixed

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.96 (January 26, 2015)
Special characters in file name is working again

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.95 (January 22, 2015)
Fast Web View ini file option added

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.94 (December 20, 2014)
Meta data compatibility with Acrobat Reader improved

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.93 (November 21, 2014)
Unicode characters in PDF info now supported

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.92 (June 24, 2014)
Select file format in save dialog,
TIF output creates multi-page TIF files

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.91 (April 14, 2014)
Windows 98 compatibility issue fixed

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.90 (April 1, 2014)
Two encryption related Doro.ini options added

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.89 (March 19, 2014)
New Doro.ini options added

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.88 (January 3, 2014)
Remote printing improved
Catalan and Occitan translation added

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.87 (October 25, 2013)
Danish translation added

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.86 (September 8, 2013)
Greek and italian translation added,
filename template ini option added

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.85 (August 1, 2013)
Norwegian translation added,
ReducedUI option improved

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.84 (July 18, 2013)
Japanese translation added

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.83 (May 10, 2013)
If PDF file already exists,
Merge option added

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.82 (February 4, 2013)
Recently used folder list added

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.81 (November 26, 2012)
Doro.ini LaunchCommand=sendmail option added

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.80 (September 17, 2012)
Polish translation improved

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.79 (August 31, 2012)
Compatibility improved

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.78 (August 27, 2012)
Vista support improved

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.77 (May 30, 2012)
Dutch language added

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.76 (May 18, 2012)
Stability improved

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.75 (May 3, 2012)
64 Bit support improved

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.74 (May 2, 2012)
Traditional Chinese translations added and more options in Doro.ini

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.71 (March 22, 2012)
French translations added

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.70 (March 12, 2012)
Windows 7 64 Bit compatibility increased,
auto update check added

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.69 (March 12, 2012)
INI option LaunchCommand to specify shell command after PDF creation i.e. print

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.68 (March 9, 2012)
Polish translations added

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.67 (February 4, 2012)
Respect DPI settings from printer preferences

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.66 (November 28, 2011)
Spanish translation added

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.65 (November 11, 2011)
Crash prevented

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.64 (May 19, 2011)
'Recent Items' is now working

New in Doro PDF Writer 1.63 (May 5, 2011)
French language support

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Re: Doro PDF (virtual printer)

#8 Post by webfork »

Midas wrote: Mon Mar 15, 2021 5:12 am To specify a different 'Doro.ini' or settings registry location, create "DoroSettingsIni [default: full path to Doro.ini]" or "DoroSettingsRegistry [default: Software\CompSoft\Doro]" inside this registry locations.
Good catch, thanks for that.

Because of the printer function, I'm not sure this would qualify as fully portable (requires installation every time), but maybe it's similar to the WinPCap-enabled tools? Either way, it's definitely MORE portable, and I like the idea of having multiple configs available-- that's a great feature addition.

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