importing pdf files into fm8 in windows

[hamelekim]

I have been developing a database for a company using a mac, but they are running windows machines. In the mac i can import pdf files(their links only) so that they can be viewed in the program. I tried out the program on their system and everything worked except for importing of pdf files. Is this even possible in windows? Also, they will likely be running a mac server with the filemaker database shared out from there. If this is the case, can I reference windows filepath names in scripting to import from a windows machine pdf file references to the fm8 db running on the mac server? Also, they would be running the program off the mac from windows machines, they would still be able to import pdf's then because it would be the mac machine doing this and not their windows machine, correct?

Thanks in advance.

[Wim Decorte]

What is it that doesn't work: the importing of the PDF or the viewing of the PDF? On Windows, you can't view a PDF in a container like on the Mac.

If the importing doesn't work then check the file references you're using. Are you using "filemac" or just "file" at the start of the reference?

[hamelekim]

What is it that doesn't work: the importing of the PDF or the viewing of the PDF? On Windows, you can't view a PDF in a container like on the Mac.

If the importing doesn't work then check the file references you're using. Are you using "filemac" or just "file" at the start of the reference?

The import doesn't work because it fails to see the pdf files as a movie/picture. However like I said, this will possibly be running off of a mac server, but will be used through a shortcut in windows.

I have attempted to run the program through a shortcut in virtualPC and it wouldn't import the pdf files that were on the mac. This is one of the key features for them, displaying pfd files, so I need to make it work somehow if it won't work in windows.

[Wim Decorte]

The server OS doesn't matter in this case, it's the OS on the client that will dictate what features work and which ones not.

What script step are you using for the insert? "insert file", "insert object", "insert picture"?

You'll have to use "insert file" on Windows. That will put the file in the container, but you won't be able to view it there in the container. You will need to open it from it's location on the hard disk to view it.

[hamelekim]

The server OS doesn't matter in this case, it's the OS on the client that will dictate what features work and which ones not.

What script step are you using for the insert? "insert file", "insert object", "insert picture"?

You'll have to use "insert file" on Windows. That will put the file in the container, but you won't be able to view it there in the container. You will need to open it from it's location on the hard disk to view it.

I selected the import record, then selected the file path, and then selected file type (picture and movies files) import only a reference.

I guess I can't even do that now. Although it still should work from the web based version correct? Since it is running in a web browser with the same code no matter what OS the web browser is on. I still need to be able to import the pdf information.

What they want is a pdf link for each of the items they want to view. So you click on the pdf link and then a page opens up and they can then view the pdf. I am pretty much hooped for opening pdf files from within filemaker 8 through a windows platform, aren't I? Is there an option to open a file through some other program in filemaker?

[Wim Decorte]

It's because you import as picture that the PDF doesn't show up on Windows. On the Mac quicktime handles that, but not on Windows.

[Michael Nord]

I'm running in to similar problems.

If I select Import Records (pictures/movies) I can import PDF files. You can even scroll through the pages of a PDF folder using the movie slider (although only the left hand page shows if the PDF contains spreads rather than single pages). This is good, but the image (not to mention the scrolling) doesn't work in Instant Web.

If I import the PDF as a file, the icon and file name is all you can see, and if I import it as a picture the first page is all you can see (but this first page image is visible in Instant Web published view).

Seems a bit half-baked to me...

Michael