Furball

That will help. I wrote this runtime in FM8, so I had to write a little windows script that allowed me to change printers within 8. Now, the users select which printers they will be using (I let them have a Printer, Fax and PDF printer) and after rinning a setup script that saves the names, the print script changes the printers. The problem comes in with scripting the encryption, as well as the file names and locations.

Unfortunately, I need to script everything. My runtime currently switches the printer to the PDF (I can control the printer name) prints the document, encrypts it using a stored hidden password, then attaches it to an email and sends it out to a predetermined address. Since most of my users are very basic, I need to do all of this for them. I looked at CutePDF, but it doesn't appear to be scriptable. They do have another program that I'll have to check out. Thanks

Has anyone come up with a usable method of scripting PDF creation and automated printer selection in FMP runtimes? I've noticed that both Affiler and Shubec have left the business, amnd MyFMButler apparently doesn't do encryption. (I've been using Affiler with some custom scripts done with AutoIT, but Aff won't install on Vista.) I've found some other PDF generators that look promising, but they use a COM interface, and I'm not a programmer.

It uses the same commands as AutoIt, and there are several sleep type commands. I tried Sleep, but I fear that I need to build the sleep into the card scanner output. Once the card is scanned, it sends the HotKey and then the data immediately. The result is that I lose about the first three characters of the data, while FMP is starting the script. Thanks again

You seem to know AutoIt really well, and this is not a true filemaker question, but perhaps you can help. I'm setting up my FM DB to use a credit card swipe for input. It is a keyboard emulation. I have the script all written and called by a AutoHotKey script, but I'm having a timing problem. The Mag Stripe reader sends the macro code (F10 key), then the card info to the macro. The macro sends the Ctrl-S keystroke to FM which calls the script, but there are some characters lost due to timing. I need to build in a pause so that the script is called, .5 sec pause, then send the data. Any Ideas?

Thanks, I greatly appreciate it. I've been trying plug-ins for several months, and none worked as well as your solution.

Well, I guess I didn't figure it out. Can you help with a Print Setup script (autoit) that will wait for the print setup window, then change the printer? I wrote the script, but it works with only one parameter.

It was easy to get readable names and then get the first, or first two letters of the printers, just to keep things simple. Another idea for you, I modified the PrintScript.au3 to work with the print setup box. That way I can return the application back to the default printer at the end of a session without printing. FM8 will hold the printer unlike 7, and that works better for my purposes. I can also set the printer at the beginning of a script that prints multiple layouts, and then Print (no dialog) for the rest. I'm mainly creating PDF's (sales reports) and emailing them, or emailing sales orders, so I can default to 1 copy. Thanks for all of your help, and ideas. My problem is solved.

I'm re doint my script also. Right now it only displays the first letter of the printer name, which works fine with yuor script, but not for users. I'll have the new one report the name, then have the Send Event step get only Left,1 for your AutoIt script step. Thanks for your help. This works better than the plug in's I've tried, and avoids the issue of limited permissions on the users computers (they can't change registry settings, so many of the plug ins won' work)

I had done that part, but your AU3 script ifs perfect. It works great every time. Attached is a small file that has a config script that sets up the printers for your script. It works on XP with FM8A. Is there a way to hide the printer dialog from the user while the printer is changing? ChgPtrs.ZIP

FM8 holds the printer name in the script, which is good for 1 user that does not change printers. I have foud this to work in FM8 Advanced, but I'm sure it works in FM8 also. Now if we could just script variable printers.

I forgot to mention, another plugin (I believe Win only) is Affiler (www.afeina.com). It's not really a plug in, but a combo of pdftk, and ghostscript formatted to be run from the send event script step. It's kind of clunky (requires lots of pauses and tricks in the scripts, and support is dismal, up to a month response time) but it works OK to dynamically name pdf's and save folder. It can also allow you to email from within FM. Equally clunky but it works. I've found that making a variable pause field so that you can change it dynamically on slower machines works. I've actually had to have up to 4 pauses of 8 seconds each in a single print and email script. Also, when printing many page reports (like 20+) try using the number of pages divided by 2 or 3 for your pause. let me know if you need the script steps to do that one.

Be aware that FM8A does NOT support PDF in the runtimes, Only XLS in that type of function

Sorry I got into this late, I've been doing an Price List/ Order ntry/ Invoicing APP continuously since FM4 (now in 8 Advanced) Did you get it built? If not, let me know and perhaps I can help. One suggestion, use product numbers or some unique code then lookup the description and price. Better yet, have the program show you a list to select from, click the item you want, and have it entered for you. I have about 10,000 items in my database (with long descriptions) and it's been working well for about 100 users for over 5 years.