Friedbeef’s Tech

Universal Document Converter (UDC) is a piece of software that will allow you to convert documents of any type can be exported into Adobe PDF or graphical files in 7 popular formats: TIFF, JPEG, PNG, PCX, DCX, GIF or BMP.  Once installed, UDC will be listed alongside your printers, so within any application, just click print and select UDC and you’ll export that document to the file format of your choice.

The good:

• The fact that the application functions as a virtual printer means that you can convert files directly from any application which supports printing.  This saves an extra step of having to launch a separate conversion program every time you want to generate a file in a different output.
• Support for less popular but industry formats like Autocad & QuarkXpress.  These file types are usually forgotten by many of the other converters out there.

• High resolution. The ability to export documents with a resolution up to 2,400 DPI enables you to save all elements of design of advertising materials and the minutest details of drawings and electronic diagrams.

• Automatic margin cropping. The function of automatic cropping of empty margins makes it unnecessary to edit graphical copies of tables and diagrams before placing them in presentations or text documents.

• Scalability. The possibility to share Universal Document Converter over a network and use it from workstations allows for a significant increase in speed for the conversion of documents.

• Ease of use.  The software is pretty intuitive, and the tutorials are very straightforward in case you every get stuck.  If all else fails, there’s also software support.

What could be better:

Price.  For the most popular conversions like document to PDF, there are free alternatives which function the same way (acting as a virtual printer) and work just as well.  Even for other conversions, PDF to picture etc. there are other alternatives as well.  With prices starting at USD$69, UDC can be too steep for most people.

Tipping point:

Is it worth the price?  The key consideration in this decision is – how often you convert files.  Due to its universal nature and software support, over a long run, this will save you time (and as a result – money) if you convert files on a very regular basis.   My advice would be to try out the demo version first, and then try the free alternatives for PDF writers (they another here), and and other converters.   – then make your decision.

Links: Universal Document Converter

What do you use to convert documents?  Tell us in the comments!

Disclaimer: UDC has paid me to test and review their service – and to give an honest opinion. Please note that all opinions expressed in this post are completely my own, and have not been influenced by UDC in any way.