Introduction to Stirling-PDF
Stirling-PDF is a powerful, locally hosted web application designed to handle all aspects of PDF file manipulation. Developed with an emphasis on user privacy, it operates entirely offline, ensuring that no data is sent out for tracking or record-keeping. Users can take advantage of its wide array of features without any concerns about data security.
Key Features
PDF Manipulation
Stirling-PDF offers a comprehensive set of tools for various PDF operations:
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Page Operations: Users can view and modify PDFs, merge or split files, rotate pages, reorganize the page order, and more. The tool provides an intuitive graphical interface for merging, splitting, or rotating PDF files.
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Conversion Capabilities: It can convert PDFs to and from images, and into other formats like Word or PowerPoint using LibreOffice. Users can also convert HTML and URLs directly into PDF files.
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Security Enhancements: Add and remove passwords, manage PDF permissions, and apply watermarks. Stirling-PDF supports PDF certification, signing, and automatic text redaction for privacy.
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Additional Functionalities: Features include adding signatures, repairing PDFs, detecting blank pages, comparing PDFs, compressing file sizes, and extracting images. Users can also perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to convert scanned images to text.
User Experience
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Dark Mode: For users who prefer a darker interface, Stirling-PDF supports dark mode to reduce eye strain.
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Customizable Workflows: Custom 'Pipelines' allow users to queue multiple processes, enhancing productivity.
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Integration and API Access: Users can integrate Stirling-PDF with external scripts via API, providing flexibility for developers and advanced users.
Technology Stack
Stirling-PDF utilizes several advanced technologies to ensure robust performance and compatibility:
- Backend: Built with Spring Boot and Thymeleaf.
- PDF Processing: Leverages tools like PDFBox and PDF.js for handling various PDF operations.
- Conversion Support: Uses LibreOffice and OCRMyPDF for converting files between different formats.
- Deployment: Available as a Docker application, facilitating easy deployment and management on various platforms.
Usage Guide
Users can download the latest Stirling-PDF release on Windows directly via the project's GitHub page or run it locally using Docker. The application supports various configurations, allowing users to choose between different Docker images based on their feature needs.
Supported Languages
Stirling-PDF currently supports 38 different languages, with comprehensive translation progress for many, ensuring that users worldwide can access it in their native languages.
Customization and Extensibility
The application allows for significant customization, from UI changes to backend configurations. Organizations can tailor the app's appearance and functionality to meet specific requirements, such as custom branding or workflow optimizations.
Security and Authentication
Stirling-PDF supports optional login and authentication features, ensuring that only authorized users can access sensitive documents and functionalities. This feature is easily configurable and provides another layer of security for organizations that require it.
Get Involved
Stirling-PDF encourages community engagement through contributions, issues, and translations. Details on contributing can be found in their Contributing Guide on GitHub.
Conclusion
With its rich set of features and strong emphasis on privacy and customization, Stirling-PDF positions itself as a versatile tool for individuals and businesses looking to efficiently manage and secure their PDF documents. Whether you're merging documents, converting formats, or enhancing document security, Stirling-PDF offers a reliable solution tailored to meet those needs.