PDF Problem

[kevs]

I have a photographers estimate created in FM7. The estimate is 5 pages, and the best I've been able to do to e mail a PDF, is get an alias for my e mail program, Entourage, in the PDF dropdown with you print.

Only thing is it attaches 5 separate files all with same name.

I'd really like a single PDF with 5 pages.

any ideas appreciated.

(just read that FM 8 has some new PDF functionality)

[SteveB]

Yes, FM 8 has new functionality, but it has no ability to combine multiple PDFs into one. Also, it doesn't work in runtimes. I'm a Windows users, so I'm not sure if PDFToolkit (free, so search Google for the site) will run on a Mac. Your choices are to try and print everything from 1 layout, use an external tool to combine multiple layouts, or zip the PDFs into one file.

Steve

[kevs]

thanks Steve

those software don't work mac 10.4.2, so any other ideas appreciated. this is a real beast I guess.

also, still need help on issue on how to have each file say page 1, 2 etc, instead all saying "invoice 1"

[Oldfogey]

Not sure I should be answering this as I have been drowning my sorrows about FMP and PDF. What a bloody shambles! FMI have relly screwed up.

If your quote to be printed is on one layout with multiple pages, it should save as a single PDF. If it doesn't, send a really, really rude email to FMI.

My situation -

Quote consists of 8 single pages plus a (possible multi-) page in the middle.

Problem. Developing a runtime solution. No 'save to PDF'. Thank you FMI wankers! Fortunately, runtime is for a franchise. Franchiser has already included a "print to PDF" requirement.

So we can say - "Print the thing to a PDF."

Trouble is the multi-page bit ends other than on page boundary and we end up with the rest of the stuff split over page boundaries. (Judging by the response to my query on this forum, there is no way to force a page break in the middle of a Body part.)

Solution. (May not fit your situation.) Provide alternative printout that has a fixed single page for the multi-page bit. No sliding up. Takes some fiddling to make sure all the pages stay where they belong. It works!!!

This covers about 40% of our situations. We have discussed making it 2 pages. We'll see. I even considered a set of printouts, depending on the number of pages in that middle bit. In this situation, if the multi-page bit runs to m more than 2 or 3 pages, you are going to make a call, not leave it to email!

(It's the bit where the $$$$ are.)

[xochi]

another possible solution? A tool to join & split PDF files: http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/18954

[Oldfogey]

Yeah, xochi! Pity there isn't a PC equivalent. Or maybe there is - haven't looked yet. It's still pretty kludgey for many users.

[kevs]

I just downloaded join pdf, sit, then package, then...well?? where is it. dont see in it APP folders, and does not come up on search, and there is no e mail support period.

[kevs]

I'm sure it's hiding somewhere on the hardrive??

[SteveB]

Oldfogey, there is a Windows tool. It's free and called 'PDFtk', by Sid Steward. I recommend his book, PDF Hacks, published by O'Reilly...it has a wealth of info for both Mac and Windows users covering tricks for PDFs. You can find the book for about $6 on Amazon, a great deal.

Steve

[Oldfogey]

Thanks, Steve.

I'll check it out.

[kevs]

thanks, and if anyone can help too let me know. still stuck for about a year on this issue.

[xochi]

From another mailing list:

There is a way to do it in 10.4 using Automator:

Quoting Bruce Robertson:



Go to Record/Request/Page [ First ]

Loop 

Set Variable [ $path1; Value:Get(DesktopPath) & Get(RecordNumber) & ".pdf" ]

Set Variable [ $pathout; Value:"file:" & $path1 ]

Set Variable [ $path2; Value:$path2 & " " &

 Substitute($path1; "/Macintosh HD"; "") ]

Save Records as PDF [ File Name: ³$pathout²; Current record ]

Go to Record/Request/Page [ Next; Exit after last ]

End Loop 

Perform AppleScript [ Calculated AppleScript:

 "do shell script "python '/System/Library/Automator/Combine PDF Pages.

action/Contents/Resources/join.py' -o ~/desktop/new.pdf " & $path2  & """ ]

For 10.3, it requries shell tools:

i could have used that if the place i'm just finishing a contract were 

using TIger; i like that it doesn't require installing anything additional

for 10.3, i solved it with a free shell tool ...



The example is a FileMaker 8 file. Requires OSX. 



for those who didn't catch it, anything using Automator specifically

requires 10.4 or above; i have implemented something similar for 10.3 

using the free joinPDF shell command found here:







once installed on Mac OS X, to use joinPDF in the above script the 

AppleScript step would be:



  Perform AppleScript [ Calculated AppleScript

    "do shell script "/usr/bin/joinPDF ~/desktop/new.pdf " & $path2  & """ ]



i have also seen a Python library that can be used on 10.3 that can 

accomplish the same, and joinPDF is also available for Wiindows, so 

a cross-platform solution is possible



also note that a script that looks for "Macintosh HD" in order to excise 

FileMaker's non-standard path stuff is is machine specific; in my 

scripts i generalize this by using, instead of the substitute step, 

something like this (from memory)



  Set Variable [$path2; Value: Right ($path1; Length ($path1) -

    (Position ($pathl; "/"; 1; 2) - 1)))]



(removes everything prior to the second slash)