I have a dream that I am hoping to get help implementing.

I have a FMPro system that I am wanting to convert to be web based. Data
access is going fine, but when it comes to reports I want something special.

I want the user to get the report as an email or at least view it in their
browser as a PDF file. Now I know that in Mac OS X there is a nice little
button on the print dialog that lets me save as a PDF file. Great! Almost...

How can I automate this in FileMaker?

Will I be able to choose PDF export when generating a report in a script?

How can I change the PDF file name through scripting?

By the by....

I've found that FileMaker still has a few shortcomings with regard to page
setup. Particularly, if I choose a particular printer for a report,
FileMaker does not remember it when I restore the page setup/print step in
my scripts! This is the case with both Mac OS X and Windows XP. This is a
big hassle when I need different printers for different reports.

I've also found that it does not remember certain print quality directives
either.

Am I alone on this? I know there is a plug-in that can help with the printer
choosing, but you'd figure FileMaker would already have this built in.


Matt Revenaugh

If you are using OS X's PDF printing capabilities, you can store them just
as you would any other print job. To robustly manipulate the PDF file you
will create, you will need the Troi File plugin. You cannot 'export' as PDF
(not really an exporting method for data), but you can go to a layout that
contains the fields you want to export, and print the layout as a PDF.

--
John Weinshel
Datagrace
Vashon Island, WA
(206) 463-1634
Associate Member, Filemaker Solutions Alliance


"Matt Revenaugh" <mrevenaugh (AT) bak (DOT) rr.com> wrote

On 8/1/03 12:15 PM, in article vilf2e1boi0t64 (AT) news (DOT) supernews.com, "John
Weinshel" <john (AT) datagrace (DOT) biz> wrote:

=====


That's great!

But how do you use that technology ("OS X's PDF printing capabilities") in a
FileMaker script?

I have Troi tools. The file manipulation part is easy.

It's scripting the printing of a PDF file that is a problem.

You can't!

Matt Revenaugh

Matt, I do it daily, however it might not be automatic enough for your
needs. First off, you must have a PDF creation tool, such as Adobe
Acrobat, JawsPDF, or one of a handful of lesser-known tools. Once
done, it is simply a matter of scripting the print steps:

1. Print Setup
2. Print the file
3. Email the file, specifying the particular attachment

It is Step 2 that can not be completely automated, b/c once FM issues
the print command, the PDF application itself requires intervention.
At that point, to TOTALLY automate the procedure, you would need an
external scripting tool, such as Macro Express, to step in and take
over the chaperoning of the PDF print driver. I decided that it was
not only unnecessary to automate to that degree but also helpful to
watch a bit of the action, to ensure that it was working properly
(after all, you're emailing something out to the public; worth an
extra moment to make sure it is delivering what you intend).




--
Rick Altman
The PowerPoint Live User Conference
October 12-15, 2003 | Tucson AZ
http://www.pptlive.com