inserting a pdf into a container and viewing through the web - generates a higher kb size of the jpeg preview then the pdf itself - how do I make the jpeg smaller.

users need to see a thumbnail of the pdf prior to dowloading the actual pdf - I only really want to deal with one image format and it needs to be pdf.

I'm not as experienced as some of the others, but I don't see how you can do what you want. FileMaker has to convert the PDF on the fly, which slows things down.

I use both a thumbnail and a large view in my database, making things easy with PhotoShop's batch command to Web-optimize and save the thumbnail copies. So if I were you I'd leave the PDF as is and create thumbnail JPEG versions. Users can look at one (which will load quickly because it's smaller) and download the other.

That also allows you to use URLs instead of the container, which would speed things up even further. (<img src="[FMP-Field: thumbURL]" border="0">)

Good luck.

Ernie

I'm not able to generate any kind of preview of a pdf in a container to be displayed on the web. Can someone enlighten me on how to do this? I just want to be able to display a small/medium image of the pdf contents on the web page. Thanks,

Justin

Store only links to pictures, PDFs and to other documents (URLs) in FM text field of database. Actual files should be on proper web server like Apache or IIS.

open your PDF file...use Graphics Select tool (G) and select the main page copy+paste into your image editor and save it as a smaller size image.

in FM container fields just set the properties to have imges fit your field size.However, this does not reduce the true image size...it still loads the same size of a document just shown in a smaller size. The process above of the tubmnail creation would be better if u don't have too many images to generate...

aslo consider just representing your files with a generic PDF icon/tubm...on the web-side this would load the fastets as u will be loading only 1 single image that will represent "this record has a PDF file attached" concept

All the best!

I do store the containers as links.

I also tried what Leb i Sol suggested and it worked fine, but I don't want to have to make thumbnail previews for every PDF we have. Is there a way to tell filemaker to display a page 1 preview of the linked pdf? I also want to be able to click the preview and open the PDF. Also, displying the generic PDF icon won't work in this situation. Thanks for the suggestions,

re: "I don't want to..."

Awwwwwwwwww...

Right now Unable is playing the smallest violin in the world for you

Anyways, most sites I've seen that have pdfs served don't give an image. They are just uniquely numbered and you download the appropriate one. If visual aids are really necessary, then you will have to go with what is suggested here. Sorry.

hello there.......aghhhh love for images.....will make u learn DBs (like it had done to some of us ...hint hint)

"but I don't want to have to make thumbnail previews for every PDF we have"

is this beause the proces is tedious or it is not the goal of the project?

u can consider "automating" (is this even a word?) this whole proces of copy-paste-save as.... into an image editor.

Simply open ALL of your external PDF files...get your Photoshop (or whatever) ready...and then run "the script" the will simulate mouse clicks -key stokes etc.

"the script" will be executed from the free software u can get @

http://www.hiddensoft.com/AutoIt/ :

be aware of your computer performace (virtual memory, free disk space, RAM etc.) and do your records in segments (eg. 150-200 records at the time to prevent system failiures)

so hows this sound?...beoyond these post - tough luck!

if u ask any of these guys to help.....well they will have to send you an invoice...after all soulutions are here...depends how u look at them...

I am affraid you will get more answers like Unable's unless u offer some more feedback on what have u tried!

All the best!

don't give up!

Hmmmm, oh well I guess.....

Since I can't automatically display a preview, how can I have the displayed pdf thumbnail (that I had to make manually ) be a link that opens the associated PDF?

I now have 2 containers per record; 1 for the thumbnail and one for the PDF. They are named PDFThumb and AttachedPrint respectively.

<a href="??:?"><img src="[FMP-Image: PDFThumb]"></a>

Thanks,