.NET PDF AND IMAGING SDK

Process documents at scale — entirely in .NET

Convert 100+ document and image formats, merge and compress PDFs, run multi-language OCR and barcode recognition, and even drive TWAIN scanners — all running in-process on .NET 6+, .NET Framework, or Windows services. No external servers, just C#.

Build faster with one SDK

Swap a patchwork of PDF, Office, OCR, barcode, and scanning libraries for a single NuGet package. One C# API handles viewing, conversion, TWAIN capture, and more — cutting weeks of integration and maintenance.

Automate documents with built-in IDP

Extract data from invoices, forms, IDs, and passports; classify files; and trigger template-driven OCR workflows. Less manual entry, fewer errors, faster operations.

Run anywhere .NET runs

Use the same engine in WinForms, WPF, .NET 6–8 services, or MAUI apps. Modernize at your pace while sharing document logic across desktop, mobile, and server workloads.

Ship secure, enterprise-ready workflows

Digital signatures, PDF/A, irreversible redaction, and granular permissions come standard. Brand and extend as needed, backed by commercial support and audit-ready compliance.

CAPABILITIES

Eight core capabilities, one SDK

Parse text, extract data, convert, optimize, and more from a single in-process API — giving you complete document processing without stitching together multiple libraries.

.NET capabilities

OCR and searchable text

Turn scans and image documents into searchable, indexable PDFs in more than 100 languages.

Structured data extraction

Pull key-value pairs, tables, and form fields directly into your workflows.

Programmatic editing

Insert text or images, and add comments, stamps, and digital signatures.

Redaction and security

Apply irreversible redaction, set AES-256 encryption, and lock down permissions from C#.

PDF generation

Merge data into templates or build PDFs from scratch for invoices, reports, and more.

Image, PDF, Office conversion

Convert 100+ document and image formats to PDF — or back to Office and image — while preserving layout and styling.

Barcode and image processing

Read and write 1D and 2D barcodes and enhance images for improved recognition.

Hyper-compression

Shrink files with mixed raster content (MRC) compression while keeping fonts, colors, and vectors crisp.

DOCUVIEWARE

Need an HTML5 viewer?

Combine the power of our .NET SDK with feature-rich viewing and document management capabilities.

.NET DocuVieware HTML5 Viewer

Quick setup in C#

Build and customize PDF workflows in minutes with Nutrient .NET SDK. Seamless Visual Studio integration and clean APIs let you create, edit, and export PDFs in just a few lines. Fully documented with practical guides and examples — no guesswork.

using GdPicturePDF gdpicturePDF = new GdPicturePDF();
using GdPictureImaging gdpictureImaging = new GdPictureImaging();
// Create a byte array from an image file.
byte[] byteArray = File.ReadAllBytes(@"C: empsource.png");
// Load the source byte array.
int imageId = gdpictureImaging.CreateGdPictureImageFromByteArray(byteArray);
// Create the output PDF document.
gdpicturePDF.NewPDF();
// Add the image to the output PDF document.
gdpicturePDF.AddImageFromGdPictureImage(imageId, false, true);
// Save the output PDF document.
gdpicturePDF.SaveToFile(@"C: empoutput.pdf");
// Release unnecessary resources.
gdpicturePDF.CloseDocument();
gdpictureImaging.ReleaseGdPictureImage(imageId);

Reasons to build with Nutrient

Nutrient SDKs and Cloud APIs add full document lifecycle support to any platform, tech stack, or infrastructure in minutes. The same technology meets Fortune 500 requirements while helping startups ship fast.

Ready for context engineering

Clean documentation, drop-in code, and MCP hooks for both hands-on developers and AI agents.

Build for and deploy anywhere

Web, mobile, desktop, server, or Nutrient Cloud — with no lock-in.

Secure and accessible

SOC 2 Type II and WCAG 2.2-compliant workflows with PDF/UA-accessible documents.

AI-first document workflows

Built-in document AI with support for leading LLMs and their private implementations.


See what our customers love about our SDK products

"Great tool that covers one of our product’s core functionalities."

DMYTRO H.
PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

"A true partner in delivering value for our customers."

KIM T.
SMALL BUSINESS (50 OR FEWER EMPLOYEES)

"The software is reliable and easy to integrate with."

VERIFIED USER IN COMPUTER SOFTWARE
MID-MARKET (51–1,000 EMPLOYEES)

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PROVEN AT SCALE

Trusted by the brands that move the world


The digital arm of Germany’s national railway digitizes millions of track maintenance blueprints with the Nutrient PDF SDK, keeping 40,000 trains rolling each day.


Governance portal trusted by 2,000+ boards in 30 countries embeds Nutrient Web SDK to enable in‑portal annotations and cross‑device continuity, achieving 80 percent user engagement.


Rolled out nationwide PAdES-compliant signatures with the Nutrient PDF SDK, letting every Austrian citizen sign official documents securely in seconds.


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.NET PDF SDK

What is a .NET PDF SDK?

A .NET PDF SDK (software development kit) is a collection of tools and libraries designed to help developers integrate PDF functionality into their .NET applications. Think of it as a toolbox that allows you to seamlessly create, edit, view, and manage PDF documents within your software. This is particularly useful for applications that require document generation, reporting, or digital archiving.

How to choose the right .NET PDF SDK

Selecting the ideal .NET PDF SDK is akin to choosing the perfect pair of shoes — it needs to fit just right. Consider the following factors:

  • Feature set — Ensure the SDK supports essential functionalities like PDF creation, editing, annotation, and conversion.
  • Performance — Look for an SDK optimized for speed and low memory usage, especially if your application handles large documents or requires batch processing.
  • Cross-platform support — If you aim to deploy across various platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux), verify that the SDK offers cross-platform compatibility.
  • Ease of integration — A well-documented API with clear examples can significantly reduce development time.
What are the benefits of using Nutrient’s .NET PDF SDK?

Opting for Nutrient offers several advantages:

  • Comprehensive feature set — Beyond basic PDF viewing and editing, Nutrient provides advanced functionalities, such as optical character recognition (OCR), digital signatures, and form filling.
  • Performance optimization — Designed for both desktop and server environments, it ensures efficient handling of large-scale PDF operations with low memory usage.
  • Customization — Tailor the user interface and behavior to align with your application’s design and workflow requirements.
  • Reliable support — Access to dedicated customer support and comprehensive documentation aids in smooth development and issue resolution
How does Nutrient’s .NET PDF SDK compare to open source alternatives?

While open source options offer basic PDF manipulation capabilities, they may lack advanced features and dedicated support. Nutrient’s SDK provides a more extensive feature set, regular updates, and professional support, which can be crucial for enterprise-level applications requiring reliability and scalability.


Frequently asked questions

What is the Nutrient .NET PDF SDK?

The Nutrient .NET PDF SDK is a comprehensive toolkit designed to enable developers to integrate advanced PDF functionality into their .NET applications. It supports features such as viewing, editing, annotating, and converting PDF documents, ensuring seamless performance across various platforms.

Is the SDK cross-platform?

Yes. The Nutrient .NET PDF SDK is fully cross-platform, allowing developers to deploy PDF functionality on Windows, macOS, and Linux. This flexibility ensures applications built with the SDK can operate across different environments without requiring extensive modifications. The SDK is designed for both desktop and server-based applications, making it suitable for a variety of use cases, including cloud deployments and enterprise document processing.

Can the SDK handle PDF annotations?

Yes. The SDK provides robust annotation capabilities, allowing users to add, edit, and remove annotations — such as highlights, notes, and drawings — within PDF documents.

Does the SDK support form filling in PDFs?

Absolutely. Users can fill out interactive PDF forms, extract form data, and programmatically manipulate form fields using the SDK.

Which .NET versions are supported?

The Nutrient .NET PDF SDK supports .NET Core, .NET Standard, and .NET Framework, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of development environments. It’s optimized for modern .NET versions, including .NET 6, .NET 7, and .NET 8, enabling developers to build scalable and future-proof applications. Whether you’re working with legacy .NET applications or migrating to the latest .NET ecosystem, our SDK ensures smooth integration.

Is the SDK optimized for server environments?

Yes. The Nutrient .NET PDF SDK is built for server-side deployment, offering low memory usage and high-performance processing for enterprise applications. It’s designed to efficiently handle batch processing, document conversion, and large-scale PDF operations in cloud and on-premises environments. With optimized memory management and asynchronous processing, the SDK ensures fast response times and reliable performance in high-load document processing workflows.