It’s posible with QuickPDF?

I need:
1. Load a PDF form. No problem.
2. Edit and Write information in form fields. (I don´t have PDF writer).
3. Save modified PDF form.
It's is posible with QuickPDF?
Thanks.

Thanks. But i not want write fields values by code. I need open PDF form with my delphi application and user write values over de fdf document. After save document with content in database using savetostream method.
Do you undertand?

Yes, it's possible with QuickPDF, since it can render PDF to an image. However, it's quite slow, and you need to position and handle the form fields in code. If you want to support javascript in the PDF, you have a lot of work to do. Here's an example which supports text fields only:

http://www.geocities.com/sea_sbs/files/FormTool.zip

Most folks accomplish it by using a tiny local web server, such as tinyweb ( http://www.ritlabs.com/en/products/tinyweb/ ), then create PDF forms that submit to localhost. You then use Adobe Reader to view and submit the forms, and a small cgi behind the local web server that writes to SQLite or some other database.

Whoops!

Please disregard the last message.

When I went back and tried it again I realized my description was incorrect. When I TAB it works fine.
It is only when I leave a field by clicking the mouse on a different field that it loses the data.

One other question though.....
Has anyone converted this to Delphi?

Cheers,
Mark

Hi Chicks,

Thanx for the relpy.

Had a look at Foxit and unfortunately it did not recognise the fields in my form.

It allows typing anywhere which is not what I am looking for.

I need to distribute forms asking questions from a large number of students and it will be ongoing. Providing a webpage to go to to answer the questions is not an option in this circumstance. Need to send the PDF for as email. They fill it out and email it back.

Each student will only do it once. Hence I cannot ask them to purchase a Form Filler.

Need a free way to give them a filler and I purchased iSEDPDF to create the forms to your Filler using the same tool is terrific. Simple, no frills but it is the only free one I have found.

The rendering is way fast enough for me. Only has one image and two pages.

I would love to do some enhancments but I am a Very Bad VB programmer and would be easier for me to add functionality in Delphi.

Anyway. Thanx.

Kind Regards
Mark

Hey Thanx Chicks.

I looked at FormMax but discarded due to the fact that I was already able to create the question form inside my database application usin iSEDPDF and I was able to also use it to read the data back off of the form.

Hence, the only missing link was the simple form filler for the students.

iSED/Quick PDF is awesome for what I want to do. Just wish I was clever enough to harness it's fill potential.
;-)

Cheers
Mark

Hi Chicks.

Excellent.

Do you mind if I try and continue developing this a bit further?

If so, what change did you make to the code.

Certainly, any improvements I will forward back to you.

Cheers,
Mark

Mark,

It's the include file provided for PowerBasic in the DLL version of QuickPDF. The current version is iSQP0511PB.inc

I'll incorporate the change into the source .zip at some point this weekend. I basically copied the code from the tab handler into the mouse left button up handler...

Well, I've always suspected that QuickPDF isn't returning a proper PB string, since it's written in Delphi. In fact it crashed on me when I was using sBuffer as a local variable, but works OK when I moved it to a global. I'm using PB 7.x, suppose you're using 8.x

You might try changing the header to return a LONG (or STRING PTR, if that's valid in PB8) instead of a string, and then assign a STRING PTR variable as the return for the function call, say:

LOCAL pStr AS STRING PTR

...

pStr = iSEDRenderPageToString(...)
sBuffer = @pStr

Another option is to try using the COM interface (ActiveX version of QuickPDF), with iSEDRenderPageToVariant() to get the rendered datastream. Or, if all else fails, use iSEDRenderDocumentToFile() as a bitmap and then display that.

I don't plan to upgrade to PB8 (or any later versions, unless the designers start getting with modern language design). It's a very outdated language, I'm looking very seriously at RealBasic as a replacement.


Edited by chicks

Mark,

I was messing with the code, and got this to work. Maybe it'll work in PB8. In the QuickPDF include file, change the return type for iSEDRenderPageToString() from STRING to LONG, then try this code:

SUB RenderPage

    LOCAL i AS LONG, id AS LONG
    LOCAL h AS DOUBLE
    LOCAL scale AS DOUBLE
    LOCAL pStr AS STRING PTR
    LOCAL lResLen AS LONG

    IF rendering THEN EXIT SUB
    rendering = %True

    MOUSEPTR 11

    CALL iSEDSelectPage(iCurPage)
    pageWidth = iSEDGetPageBox(2,2)
    pageHeight = iSEDGetPageBox(2,3)
    pStr = iSEDRenderPageToString(iResolution, iCurPage, 0)
    lResLen = iSEDStringResultLength()
    sBuffer = PEEK$(pStr, lResLen)

...

If it works, I recommend changing all functions that return STRING in the include to LONG, and use this technique.

Bummer. Would be nice if PB documented the changes between compilers (or just had better documentation period).

I do have a very basic VB example of using QuickPDF ActiveX to render and display a PDF if would help. Doesn't have the form fields support, though:

http://www.geocities.com/sea_sbs/files/VBViewPDF.zip

OK, well, here's a link to the source and .exe with the update to save field changes when mouse is moved to another field:

http://www.geocities.com/sea_sbs/files/FormTool_.zip

Hi,

PDFFileSave by Fytek uses trick wich we used to save PDF Fill Form.

It starts local web server and uses acrobat reader to open/ fill PDF form and adds button with script to send file to his server.

With Indy (delphi) you can do the same.

D.

Also extremely limited (text fields only, no javascript support, etc.), but 100% legal. Using Reader to save to a local web server is pretty much prohibited by Reader 7's EULA:

You are not authorized to integrate or use the Software with any (a) plug-in software not developed in accordance with the Adobe Integration Key License Agreement or (b) other software or enhancement to programmatically interface with the Software for the purpose of (i) saving data locally (on the same Computer), except when allowed through the use of Document Feature(s) that have been activated using enabling technology from Adobe, (ii) creating a file that contains data (e.g., an XML or comments file), or (iii) saving modifications to a PDF file.

Yes, they are using Adobe's Reader Extensions licensed (and VERY expensive) technology. Same thing the IRS uses for its forms, like the 1040, that are enabled to save locally.

Note they they are charging a minimum of $125 PER PAGE for EACH PDF.



Edited by chicks

I had the same problem until I found a free pdf reader which supports PDF 1.7 (With Javascript, Form fields, ...)
It is fast, small and freeware!
http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/reader/
And the very good part ist!
The user can save all the filled in form fields without and restrictions!!!!
I have just deleted Adobe from my harddisk! ;-)