3-Heights™ PDF to PDF/A Converter – create and sign a PDF/A from a PDF source
The 3-Heights™ PDF to PDF/A Converter is a component for converting PDF documents into the PDF/A format for long-term archiving.
The tool analyzes and converts the input document, applying a digital signature where required.
This component is both robust and scalable, making it suitable for integration in various processes such as standardization, quality assurance and archive migration.
Properties and benefits
This component is characterized by high performance and a comprehensive range of services. These functions enable reliable, ISO-compliant long-term storage of large PDF document inventories. The guaranteed visual reproducibility and digital signature also lends the document all the properties of an unalterable record and reduces compliance risks.
Performance characteristics
- Support for all PDF/A conformance levels
- Report on pre- and post-validation
- Text recognition thanks to optional connection to an OCR engine (ABBYY)
- Authenticity and integrity thanks to digital signatures
- Embedding of metadata from an external source
- Platform independent
- Performance
- Convert PDF documents to PDF/A‑1, PDF/A‑2 or PDF/A‑3
- Validate incoming documents
- Retrospectively validate outgoing documents
- Automatic and configurable embedding of color profiles when device-dependent color spaces are used
- Automatic and configurable embedding of fonts: Embed as a subset to keep the file size small or embed the entire font to enable file post-editing
- Automatic creation of metadata or embedding of metadata from external sources
- PDF/A compliant electronic signature with embedded trust chain, time stamp and revocation information
- Supports mass signature devices (HSM) via PKCS#11
- Connection of an OCR engine (ABBYY) for text recognition (optionally retrieve the output as a separate text file)
- Linearization for fast web view
- Read input and output document from file or memory
- Read encrypted input documents
- Define which conversion operations are allowed (e. g. allow converting signed documents, allow automated downgrading from level A to B if A cannot be met)
Incoming mail
All incoming PDF documents can be converted directly to PDF/A for long-term archiving. Documents that cannot be converted can be rejected as soon as they are received by email. This increases process quality and reduces the need for subsequent quality controls.
Archive
The converter processes documents from all corporate business areas during archiving. It quickly and easily converts documents worthy of retention into PDF/A and verifies conformity of the result with the ISO standard. It therefore acts as a gatekeeper, ensuring that only compliant files find their way into business processes or a long-term archive.
Other areas of use
- Standardization
- Quality assurance
- Compliance with legal requirements
Input formats
- PDF‑1.2 to PDF‑1.7
Output formats
- PDF/A‑1a*, PDF/A‑1b
- PDF/A‑2a*, PDF/A‑2b, PDF/A‑2u
- PDF/A‑3a*, PDF/A‑3b, PDF/A‑3u
- PDF 1.0 to 1.7
*) The input file must fulfill the relevant conditions for PDF/A creation.
Compliance
- Standards:
- ISO 19005‑1 (PDF/A‑1)
- ISO 19005‑2 (PDF/A‑2)
- ISO 19005‑3 (PDF/A‑3)
- ISO 32000 (PDF 1.7)
- Isartor Testsuite
- ZUGFeRD-compliant
Operating Systems
- Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 - 32 & 64 bit
- Windows Server 2008, 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016 – 32 & 64 bit
- HP‑UX 11i incl. ia64 (Itanium) - 64 bit
- IBM AIX 6.1 - 64 bit
- macOS 10.4 - 32 & 64 bit
- Linux 2.4 & 2.6 - 32 & 64 bit
- Oracle Solaris 10, SPARC & Intel
- HP-UX 11, PA-RISC2.0 - 32 bit
Interfaces
- API: C, Java, .NET, COM
- Signing: MS CryptAPI, PKCS#11
Programming languages
All program libraries are written in efficient and thread-safe C++. API offers a selection of the following connections to programming languages:
- C and C++ via native C
- C#, VB .NET, J# via .NET
- Java via JNI
- MS Visual Basic, Borland Delphi, MS Office products such as Access and C++ via COM
Product Variants
- Shell tool (command line)
- API (programming interface)
- Windows service (system service)
The 3-Heights™ PDF to PDF/A Converter first analyzes the input file based on the level of conformity (Level A, B or U). Conversion to the highest possible level of conformity is then carried out with the aid of the result from the analysis. There is also an option to carry out an analysis of the output document.
The conversion process embeds missing fonts and optimizes them by forming subsets. Matching color profiles are created for device-dependent color spaces. An output intent is created where necessary. Prohibited content such as JavaScripts and unnecessary content is removed and required content completed where possible. The file is reformatted during conversion and safe repairs are carried out.
Digital signing: The application of an advanced electronic corporate signature or personal Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) guarantees the authenticity and integrity of archived documents. Embedding a time stamp and revocation information keeps the digital signature verifiable in the long-term.
