activePDF Server is a robust server-based solution that automates the PDF-generation process from virtually any Windows applications. With over 75 properties and methods available from its unique COM interface, activePDF Server provides users full control over their PDF output on a job-by-job basis. Whether the output comes from Crystal Reports^®, legacy Visual Basic^® applications, or Microsoft^® Office, generating PDF is as easy as calling the StartPrinting command. activePDF Server operates under Windows NT/2000/XP and offers such features as postscript-to–PDF conversion, 40 and 128 bit encryption, linearization, true multithreaded PDF conversion and much more.

How-To
This example illustrates the dynamic conversion of a Crystal Reports 8.5 file to PDF using activePDF. The utility uses Visual Basic and provides a user interface that allows you to select an RPT file for conversion to PDF. Upon completion of the conversion process, Acrobat Reader^® is invoked from the shell and the PDF file is opened for viewing.

* Download the source code for this example here

Download the ZIP file from the above link, extract to a new directory, and then double-click the Setup.vbs file. View readme.txt for details of the installation.

* A free trial version of activePDF Server is available for download here (required in order to test this example)

* Additional Information on dynamic PDF conversion  using activePDF Server