---
title: "PDF File Format"
canonical: https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/PDFFileFormat.htm
product: "Graphics Mill 5.5 for .NET"
---

This documentation is for the old version. [Go to the latest Graphics Mill docs](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/)

# PDF File Format
 
PDF stands for Portable Document Format. This format was developed by Adobe Systems Incorporated for the secure and reliable distribution and exchange of electronic documents and nowadays this formats became standard de facto in this field. In general this formats contain not only raster images, but also vector data and texts. However Graphics Mill for .NET can only embed raster images to PDF file. You can write multiple pages to the PDF file. This format is supported for saving only.
 
## Format Name
  
PDF
 
## MIME Type
  
application/pdf
 
## File Extensions
  
\*.pdf
 
## Supported Pixel Formats
  
|  Description |  Read |  Write |
| --- | --- | --- |
 |  1 bit palette-based |  No |  Yes |
 |  4 bit palette-based |  No |  Yes |
 |  8 bit palette-based |  No |  Yes |
 |  24 bit RGB |  No |  Yes |
 |  32 bit RGB |  No |  Yes |
 |  32 bit RGB with alpha-channel |  No |  Yes |
 |  32 bit premultiplied RGB with alpha-channel |  No |  Yes |
 |  32 bit CMYK |  No |  Yes |
 
## Encoder Options
  
|  Name |  Default Value |  Comments |
| --- | --- | --- |
 |  [PdfEncoderOptions.Compression](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_PdfEncoderOptions_Compression.htm.md) <br> [PdfFrame.Compression](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_PdfFrame_Compression.htm.md) |  [CompressionType.Zip](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_CompressionType.htm.md) |  Value that specifies necessary PDF compression type. |
 |  [PdfEncoderOptions.Quality](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_PdfEncoderOptions_Quality.htm.md) <br> [PdfFrame.Quality](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_PdfFrame_Quality.htm.md) |  **75** |  Value in range [0, 100] specifying JPEG quality. |
 
## Examples
  
This code example demonstrates how to save an image to the PDF file:
 
```
Dim bitmap As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap("c:\mountain.jpg")

bitmap.Save("C:\mountain.pdf", _
    New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.PdfEncoderOptions(70))

bitmap.Dispose()
```
 
```csharp
using (Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap bitmap = 
           new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap(@"c:\Mountain.jpg"))
{
    bitmap.Save(@"C:\Mountain.pdf", 
        new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.PdfEncoderOptions(70));
}
```
 
The same, but using [PdfWriter](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_PdfWriter.htm.md) class. This class provides more flexible file saving support. In particular, you can use asynchronous mode, etc.
 
```
Dim bitmap As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap("c:\Mountain.jpg")

Dim writer As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.PdfWriter("C:\Mountain.pdf")

Dim frame As New Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.PdfFrame
frame.Quality = 70
frame.SetBitmap(bitmap)

bitmap.Dispose()

writer.AddFrame(frame)

frame.Dispose()

writer.Dispose()
```
 
```csharp
using (Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap bitmap = 
           new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Bitmap(@"c:\Mountain.jpg"))
{
    using (Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.PdfWriter writer = 
               new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.PdfWriter(@"C:\Mountain.pdf"))
    {
        using (Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.PdfFrame frame = 
                   new Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.PdfFrame())
        {
            frame.Quality = 70;
            frame.SetBitmap(bitmap);
        
            writer.AddFrame(frame);                    
        }
    }        
}
```