New forum feature How to Export Your Thread to PDF file

Donnie

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IMPORTANT INFO:
it remains that ONLY Microsoft EDGE is problematic. However, for those that still use EDGE, here is the most recent information I found to at least make the "Print to Microsoft PDF" Work:
Run the Windows Update and make sure your system dictates it will install this:
2023-12 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5033375)


We have these Browsers reported that function correctly with the Export Thread function:
Chrome
Safari
Brave
Firefox

Others can be listed above as time permits:
Opera has not been reported yet

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Tutorial will explain how to EXPORT any thread you have into a PDF (Portable Document Format). Follow these steps in order as they appear. I will be using "zoly99ask" thread on the unboxing of the HMS Enterprise as an example of how to do this.

1) It is obvious to choose which thread you wish to export and ensure you are at your thread's FIRST (1) page. This shows the first page of the example thread below.

NOTE: the RED box points to a smaller box with three dots [. . .] and a small arrow pointing downward.

thread-export-01.jpg




2) this is a closer view of the small box with the downward pointing arrow.

thread-export-02.jpg




3) When you click on the small arrow, a DROPDOWN list will show "Export Thread". You will then click on the word "Export Thread".

thread-export-03.jpg



4) After you click Export thread, the next BOX will appear. DO NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THIS BOX as it is already configured for the large threads. JUST click on SUBMIT ONLY.

thread-export-04.jpg




5) After you click the SUBMIT button, NOW, your Exported File will be displayed WITHING SOS - it has NOT been completely exported yet - a few MORE steps are involved.

thread-export-05.jpg




6) This step can be confusing because it is COUNTER intuitive, but just continue to follow instructions! USE YOUR BROWSER FOR THIS NEXT STEP. I am using FIREFOX Browser, you might have Windows Edge, Chrome, Safari and others, if you do, you MUST be able to find the MENU strip to find the "FILE" button and then the PRINT button. You can also just do the command CTRL + P to accomplish the same thing.

thread-export-06.jpg



7) After you perform the print function, your computer will open the PRINT DIALOG BOX. Look at the DESTINATION --- IT WILL MOST likely be defaulted to your local printer in your house or home office, etc. You want to CHANGE the DESTINATION to [Save to PDF].

thread-export-07.jpg




8) Then continue with [Save] on your print dialog box as shown here:

thread-export-08.jpg




9) When you click save, then you should be viewing your FILE DIALOG BOX. You should see that the FILE NAME might be already populated with the words: "Export thread Ships of Scale". But you can rename it anything you wish for your organizing. ALSO, you MUST be sure you select WHERE you want your file to be saved. Some like me, I will set up a special folder on my computer to manage all my exports.

thread-export-09.jpg




10) After saving, you need to locate where you put your file to make sure it saved correctly and open it. In the example below, you will see a Screen Shot of a portion of my Desktop that shows the ICON and file name.

thread-export-10.jpg




11) Then finally when you open your file, this should be what you see that your ADOBE READER will open the file as ADOBE READER is the Default application or program that opens PDF files. If you have an advanced version or a paid version of ADOBE then you might be able to then convert that file to a WORD document. I personally do not have the advanced program.

thread-export-11.jpg
 
Last edited:
If anyone needs their PDF changed to Microsoft WORD or similar, there are programs like Wondershare. They have a program called PDFelement and the pricing is seen here. Zoltan was the one who showed me this.


they do have a Free Trial version, but of course, it has limitations and only lasts for 14 days. The Perpetual Plan at 129.99 is yours permanently to use. The others are yearly or so plans.

I downloaded the Trial and it seems to be a quite powerful program for PDF editing and Converting.
 
This is just a reminder that the export thread function does NOT save your new PDF - you must save it using the print function (save to PDF) as demonstrated in STEP 8.
 
If anyone needs their PDF changed to Microsoft WORD or similar, there are programs like Wondershare. They have a program called PDFelement and the pricing is seen here. Zoltan was the one who showed me this.


they do have a Free Trial version, but of course, it has limitations and only lasts for 14 days. The Perpetual Plan at 129.99 is yours permanently to use. The others are yearly or so plans.

I downloaded the Trial and it seems to be a quite powerful program for PDF editing and Converting.
I have it and chevk for rebate, you can easily save 50%. I love it.
 
This Tutorial will explain how to EXPORT any thread you have into a PDF (Portable Document Format). Follow these steps in order as they appear. I will be using "zoly99ask" thread on the unboxing of the HMS Enterprise as an example of how to do this.

1) It is obvious to choose which thread you wish to export and ensure you are at your thread's FIRST (1) page. This shows the first page of the example thread below.

NOTE: the RED box points to a smaller box with three dots [. . .] and a small arrow pointing downward.

View attachment 411271




2) this is a closer view of the small box with the downward pointing arrow.

View attachment 411272




3) When you click on the small arrow, a DROPDOWN list will show "Export Thread". You will then click on the word "Export Thread".

View attachment 411273



4) After you click Export thread, the next BOX will appear. DO NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THIS BOX as it is already configured for the large threads. JUST click on SUBMIT ONLY.

View attachment 411274




5) After you click the SUBMIT button, NOW, your Exported File will be displayed WITHING SOS - it has NOT been completely exported yet - a few MORE steps are involved.

View attachment 411276




6) This step can be confusing because it is COUNTER intuitive, but just continue to follow instructions! USE YOUR BROWSER FOR THIS NEXT STEP. I am using FIREFOX Browser, you might have Windows Edge, Chrome, Safari and others, if you do, you MUST be able to find the MENU strip to find the "FILE" button and then the PRINT button. You can also just do the command CTRL + P to accomplish the same thing.

View attachment 411277



7) After you perform the print function, your computer will open the PRINT DIALOG BOX. Look at the DESTINATION --- IT WILL MOST likely be defaulted to your local printer in your house or home office, etc. You want to CHANGE the DESTINATION to [Save to PDF].

View attachment 411278




8) Then continue with [Save] on your print dialog box as shown here:

View attachment 411279




9) When you click save, then you should be viewing your FILE DIALOG BOX. You should see that the FILE NAME might be already populated with the words: "Export thread Ships of Scale". But you can rename it anything you wish for your organizing. ALSO, you MUST be sure you select WHERE you want your file to be saved. Some like me, I will set up a special folder on my computer to manage all my exports.

View attachment 411280




10) After saving, you need to locate where you put your file to make sure it saved correctly and open it. In the example below, you will see a Screen Shot of a portion of my Desktop that shows the ICON and file name.

View attachment 411281




11) Then finally when you open your file, this should be what you see that your ADOBE READER will open the file as ADOBE READER is the Default application or program that opens PDF files. If you have an advanced version or a paid version of ADOBE then you might be able to then convert that file to a WORD document. I personally do not have the advanced program.

View attachment 411282
Great new feature!
 
Hi Donnie

This feature is great. I just saved your full DRUID built log on my phone. Took it a little more than 1 GB . It is a 500+ pages pdf file :)

Very happy to be able to archive the builts I will use as reference.

Cheers
Daniel
 
Thank you @Donnie for providing a great tutorial on how to export content to .pdf.

For those of you looking for a MS Office alternative (to get access to MS Word type functionality), I highly recommend Libre Office. It's a shareware suite with a full set of applications that are very much like those in MS Office. Versions are available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. As shareware, it means you can choose to donate to future development if you desire, or if you can't afford a donation, you can use it for free. There are no limitations in regards to how long you have access to it, and it is updated frequently to provide new and additional functionality. Here's the link to the installs: Libre Office
 
For those of you looking for a MS Office alternative (to get access to MS Word type functionality), I highly recommend Libre Office. It's a shareware suite with a full set of applications that are very much like those in MS Office. Versions are available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. As shareware, it means you can choose to donate to future development if you desire, or if you can't afford a donation, you can use it for free. There are no limitations in regards to how long you have access to it, and it is updated frequently to provide new and additional functionality. Here's the link to the installs: Libre Office
Great free software suite.
 
i tried to save a build log as a PDF and i do not get a PDF

i followed the steps all the way to using print in edge and selected the save as PDF

pfd sul1.JPG

what i get is this

pdf sul.JPG

what is going wrong?
 
i tried again andi let it run overnight and i did not work i got the same results as i posted before so i might be the 566 page size
but when i tried to X out of Edge i got this message

aaaaaaaaaaa.JPG

then i checked and it downloaded 373 out of 373 so download is complete

aaa.JPG

i will try a smaller test and see what happens
 
the first test was 373 MB the second test was 21 MB and still the same results so size isn't the problem. both show download is complete but no PDF file

a21.JPG
 
Last edited:
a run through of what i am doing

i selected the Sultana build log
and i am here

aexp1.JPG

aexp2.JPG

then hit submit
then go to Edge and i am here



aexport.JPG

selected save as PDF

ckick save
and this is the result

aaa.JPG

even though it says save as PDF the file is not a PDF

pdf sul.JPG
 
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