Programatticaly modifying a document?

[PatrickIRL]

Hi ,

Don't know if this is possible, doesn't look like it from what I've seen so far but here goes.

We are using PDF's that contain graphs with some complex curves. Using Acrobat, is it possible to open a text file, read in some data and plot values on said PDF??

Would love to be able to do it through VB but looks like the COM model doesn't allow it.

Any input appreciated,

Thanks,

Patrick

 

[tgreer]

I would suggest learning/using PostScript for this.

My workflow usually goes:

1) Data input/output

2) Emit the data

3) Emit PostScript to consume data

4) Interpret PostScript to produce final PDF



Thomas D. Greer

http://www.tgreer.com

Providing PostScript & PDF
Training, Development & Consulting

 

[PatrickIRL]

Thanks for the feedback. Not sure if I was clear enough on this, so here goes again.

The PDFs with the curves are already developed and we want to use these and just plot points on them. I looked into postscript and it looks like it will do the job but how do I go about it??

I'm looking for commands to open a PDF, open a CSV file, read in values and plot those values on the PDF.

Can you recommend any books/resources that would help?

Thanks again,

Patrick

 

[tgreer]

There are indeed "PDF APIs", but I don't know how robust they are. Research TallNET PDF and some others. PDF.NET.

PostScript won't modify existing PDFs.



Thomas D. Greer

http://www.tgreer.com

Providing PostScript & PDF
Training, Development & Consulting

 

[2cxc]

your better off sending the values into flash to dynamically create visual interpretations, then in flash you can set an off stage movie clip to duplicate the graph and get it to print what and how you want.