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[b]Converting RTF files to PDF files with VB code[/b] 2
- Thread starter rchandr3
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #2
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1
- #3
sodakotahusker
Programmer
- Mar 15, 2001
- 601
There are different ways you can do this.
Learn all of the pdf specific coding and write your own conversion package. Not a good option.
If you have Acrobat Distiller you must have Adobe Acrobat as well - which allows you to configure Adobe as your default printer so you can spool files to it and create pdfs (this is somewhat limited because it always creates the same file name or prompts you each time for a name. I got around this by creating the standard name and then renaming it. I am not quite sure how you spool RTF to the printer, however.
Distiller I am pretty sure needs to have postscript files placed in a watch directory where distiller can detect the presence of the files and then convert them to pdf. If you can figure out how to get postscript from your rtf you could just save the file in your distiller folder.
The easier way is perhaps to get a third party control which does pdf conversion - crystal reports, vsview (vsprinter), etc. I am using both of those from vb.
The reason you have not gotten an answer is because this is not a slam dunk question. It's one of those thorny things that need to be worked through. Good luck!!
Learn all of the pdf specific coding and write your own conversion package. Not a good option.
If you have Acrobat Distiller you must have Adobe Acrobat as well - which allows you to configure Adobe as your default printer so you can spool files to it and create pdfs (this is somewhat limited because it always creates the same file name or prompts you each time for a name. I got around this by creating the standard name and then renaming it. I am not quite sure how you spool RTF to the printer, however.
Distiller I am pretty sure needs to have postscript files placed in a watch directory where distiller can detect the presence of the files and then convert them to pdf. If you can figure out how to get postscript from your rtf you could just save the file in your distiller folder.
The easier way is perhaps to get a third party control which does pdf conversion - crystal reports, vsview (vsprinter), etc. I am using both of those from vb.
The reason you have not gotten an answer is because this is not a slam dunk question. It's one of those thorny things that need to be worked through. Good luck!!
- Thread starter
- #4
Thanks a lot, sodakotahusker...
I tried this Adobe Distiller as Printer option. The problem is, it is asking for the file name. If it selects a default name, then I have no problem! I can rename it using my program. I actually want to automate everything by code.
If you know how could I bypass this and make print to PDF and then rename it to my needs, then I would be thankful to you the most!
Thanks...
I tried this Adobe Distiller as Printer option. The problem is, it is asking for the file name. If it selects a default name, then I have no problem! I can rename it using my program. I actually want to automate everything by code.
If you know how could I bypass this and make print to PDF and then rename it to my needs, then I would be thankful to you the most!
Thanks...
sodakotahusker
Programmer
- Mar 15, 2001
- 601
First of all - terminology - distiller is a special application which comes with Acrobat which does conversions from postscript to PDF.
The Adobe printer driver simply reroutes all spooled output to a pdf file instead of your printer.
To make this solution work - you need to choose the Adobe driver as your printer - either default or by specification. Then the registry must contain the values below in order to always create the same file name without prompting you each time.
Hopefully you are familiar with changing the registry?
Run regedit and tweak 3 fields.
The problem is that I've seen these entries in different locations with different versions of the operating system and adobe. Just do a search on bDocInfo and you should be ok.
PDFFileName: filepath and name for your pdf file to be created each time.
Must have a trailing * to make this permanent. So guess another way of creating the file you want is to tweak the registry before you create each file and insert the name you want before sending to printer. Probably not practical. So for example you want to always create a file name c:\pdfs\mypdf.pdf you would set the value for pdffilename to c:\pdfs\mypdf.pdf*
bDocInfo set to "0"
bExecViewer must be set to 0 or the pdf file will display instead of create a file.
------------
Sometimes the bExecViewer gets set to 1 and my documents pop up on the screen instead of going to a file. I have go back and change that value and then things are ok again.
If you're not familiar with regedit - you can probably learn - with my help - but be advised - you can screw up your computer big time if you make a mistake!!
The Adobe printer driver simply reroutes all spooled output to a pdf file instead of your printer.
To make this solution work - you need to choose the Adobe driver as your printer - either default or by specification. Then the registry must contain the values below in order to always create the same file name without prompting you each time.
Hopefully you are familiar with changing the registry?
Run regedit and tweak 3 fields.
The problem is that I've seen these entries in different locations with different versions of the operating system and adobe. Just do a search on bDocInfo and you should be ok.
PDFFileName: filepath and name for your pdf file to be created each time.
Must have a trailing * to make this permanent. So guess another way of creating the file you want is to tweak the registry before you create each file and insert the name you want before sending to printer. Probably not practical. So for example you want to always create a file name c:\pdfs\mypdf.pdf you would set the value for pdffilename to c:\pdfs\mypdf.pdf*
bDocInfo set to "0"
bExecViewer must be set to 0 or the pdf file will display instead of create a file.
------------
Sometimes the bExecViewer gets set to 1 and my documents pop up on the screen instead of going to a file. I have go back and change that value and then things are ok again.
If you're not familiar with regedit - you can probably learn - with my help - but be advised - you can screw up your computer big time if you make a mistake!!
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1
- #6
rchandr3, Hi,
Try:
The title of the web page is "Automate Adobe Acrobat to convert TIFs to PDFs" but the source type could anything.
Enjoy.
"Life is full of learning, and then there is wisdom"
Try:
The title of the web page is "Automate Adobe Acrobat to convert TIFs to PDFs" but the source type could anything.
Enjoy.
"Life is full of learning, and then there is wisdom"
- Thread starter
- #7
Thanks both of you.
For my case, the registry stuff is much needed!
sodakotahusker,
I have worked with regedit a lot of times to rename the Recycle Bin!
Now I am generating files without any problem! I did not know the * stuff and was suffering a little before seeing your post.
Still I have got this work of renaming files from their default name... which I would easily do.
THANKS A LOT!
For my case, the registry stuff is much needed!
sodakotahusker,
I have worked with regedit a lot of times to rename the Recycle Bin!
Now I am generating files without any problem! I did not know the * stuff and was suffering a little before seeing your post.
Still I have got this work of renaming files from their default name... which I would easily do.
THANKS A LOT!
sodakotahusker
Programmer
- Mar 15, 2001
- 601
Glad to hear it! Glad I could be of some help. Take care.
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