How convert PCL generated by HP LaserJet 5 into PDF in C#?

Question

I need to retire 15 years old system and preserve all data. It can only print documents into specific printer HP LaserJet 5. I can print documents into PCL files and looking for ways to convert all this files into PDFs programmatically. Preferably in C#. Can anybody recommend good library or command line tool? Preferably free ;-)

Answer 1

The simplest solution I found is VeryPDF PCL Converter http://www.verypdf.com/pcltools/index.html. It has command line mode, GUI (for command line), batch mode and only cost $125. My company has been pay for it. Hope this will help somebody too.

Answer 2

The commandline tool GhostPCL[1] (part of GhostPDL), by the same developers as Ghostscript, can convert PCL to PDF. Recent changes in their public source code repository[2] provide a fully integrated source tree encompassing Ghostscript, GhostPCL and GhostXPS. This includes MS Visual Studio *.sln and *.vcproj files to build all or part of their products. License is GPL or commercial (commercial licenses to be obtained from Artifex[3]):

• [1]: http://www.ghostscript.com/GhostPCL/
• [2]: http://svn.ghostscript.com/
• [3]: http://www.artifex.com/

Answer 3

I've used Visual Softwares pcl2pdf on several projects, it worked well for me.

Answer 4

We are currently using Lincoln's PCL to PDF converter. It was simple to call and provides embed into our C# application. It also provides good feedback in terms of Events when a page has been converted etc so you can even add progress bars etc.

Lincoln PCL to PDF Converter

Answer 5

I've used PCL to PDF for Windows and OS X which is based on GhostPCL.