Saving pdf as image file? [RESOLVED. Thanks]

Chris P · May 7, 2013

Hey all, I'm trying to submit a story, and the magazine wants me to send a pdf. No problem, but when I save my Word file as a pdf and try to upload it, I get an error saying "The PDF attachment must be an image file."

Word doesn't have an option "save as pdf image file" nor is it one of the selectable options in the publish window. Is there a way to do this, or is the problem with the submission website? The extension is .pdf.

Thanks!

ETA: I get the same error when I save as .xps from Word.

alleycat · May 7, 2013

You need to convert the PDf to an image file. They are online converters. I haven't used one for a long time so I've forgotten which ones work well and which don't.

alleycat · May 7, 2013

I did a quick search. This might be a good online conversion website: http://www.zamzar.com/

radiocure · May 7, 2013

Zamzar is not bad, and sometimes the outcome is perfect. Sometimes it's not, though. Since it's easy to use, I'd recommend that, but do check the file and make sure it's right. If it's not, I'll give you some other ways you can do it, but first tell us if you're on a PC or Mac.

FOTSGreg · May 7, 2013

Chris P, download CutePDF. It's free and "prints" directly to a pdf file.

If that doesn't work, try converting the pdf file to a bitmap or jpeg (there's also an option in Adobe to convert to Word which basically sticks the pdf file as an image into a Word doc).

Chris P · May 7, 2013

I'm using a free program called PDF X-change Viewer, and I just found the "export to image" option. Worked! Thanks, I didn't think to look elsewhere than the "Save as" button until you guys suggested the other programs

But GRUMBLE!!! Tiff at 72 dpi was 650 KB, and the website wouldn't upload more than 500 KB. No option to save as multiple-page bmp or jpg, and website wouldn't allow more than one document to upload. FINALLY worked as a gif. They better take this story!

James D. Macdonald · May 7, 2013

I know this is resolved, but I like GIMP for all my graphics-file-conversion needs.

Chris P · May 7, 2013

James D. Macdonald said:
I know this is resolved, but I like GIMP for all my graphics-file-conversion needs.

I had GIMP for a while. I liked it for being free, but I thought it was more complicated than Photoshop. I'm sure if I'd taken the time to learn it I would think it's great.

Matera the Mad · May 8, 2013

If you think GIMP is "more complicated thatn Photoshop," then you haven't done much with Photoshop. It's a matter of getting used to different menus and labels.

For everyday conversion jobs, I prefer IrfanView.

Daidjully · May 21, 2013

Hello... there are many ways... helps to be using pro software like adobe acrobat, adobe photoshop, fireworks etc. I'm not familiar with paintshop
Here a round-about way I just discovered using adobe reader: Use the Select Tool or snapshot tool to select the image you want in the pdf, right click and copy it, paste it onto a new word document, "save as" a new html page. Open up the page in your browser, right click on the image and then "save image as" the jpg it is.

Don't use online conversion site, it is not safe.

Saving pdf as image file? [RESOLVED. Thanks]

Chris P

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred

alleycat

Still around

alleycat

Still around

radiocure

chrismoyerwriting.com

FOTSGreg

Today is your last day.

Chris P

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

Chris P

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred

Matera the Mad

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

Daidjully