AcroPDF and FDF files

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3 total messages Started by Brian_Fogarty Thu, 29 Jun 2006 13:47

#15806

Author: Brian_Fogarty
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 13:47

7 lines
1796 bytes

Adobe Reader 7.0.n - using AcroPDF in a VB.NET application as an embedded PDF viewer. Application in question captures input from user on a form and builds an FDF to pass captured data to fillable PDF. Must present PDF inside the application to better control user access to PDF, so shelling out to Adobe Reader isn't an option. When I try to pass the FDF file name to the ActiveX control via the LoadFile method, I get a "File does not begin with '%PDF~'" error message from Adobe Reader.

If I shell to Adobe Reader and pass the FDF as the file name in the shell statement, everything is fine - but again - this violates the design specification that viewing the document must be done inside the originating application.

As a side note - when I launch the application, AcroRd32.EXE gets loaded as a task, using up about 13MB. When I actually load a PDF to be viewed, it swells to over 26MB. When I exit the application, AcroRd32.EXE remains in memory. Is this by design, or is there something I need to do in my application to release the reader task upon exit? I know when I automate Excel or Word, I need to execute specific code to kill the task - but that automation is done without the aid of an ActiveX control.

Thanks

Re: AcroPDF and FDF files

#15819

Author: chicks
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 16:45

14 lines
1549 bytes


      Is this by design?




Pretty much everything Adobe does is by design, frustating as that may be at times.

acrord32 is "supposed" to stay in memory, so that it loads faster the next time you use it. It's also "supposed" to timeout after a period of non-use, and remove itself from memory - I've never seen it actually do that, however.

The AcroPDF control won't load .fdf or .xfdf documents, again by design. Adobe doesn't want you using it this way. A workaround is to use a tool like pdftk or a PDF library to embed the data into the PDF, and directly load the PDF. Reader's EULA, however, prevents you from doing this locally, stating that you can't use Reader on the same PC that creates PDF files.

So, you are pretty much forced to go the third-party route, unless you're creating the PDF on a server. Unfortunately, all the third-party viewers have shortcomings, primarily cost, poor rendition, or other limitations.

Re: AcroPDF and FDF files

#15772

Author: Brian_Fogarty
Date: Mon, 03 Jul 2006 13:53

9 lines
2110 bytes

I read the EULA (Reader_WWEULA-en_US-20040915_1630) that is in the C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\Legal\Adobe Reader\7.0.0\en_US folder on my computer. I do find language like this:

(Section 2.5) ...You are not authorized to integrate or use the Software with any other software, plug-in or enhancement which uses or relies upon the Software when converting or transforming PDF files into other file formats (e.g., a PDF file into a TIFF, JPEG, or SVG file). You are not authorized to integrate or use the Software with any (a) plug-in software not developed in accordance with the Adobe Integration Key License Agreement or (b) other software or enhancement to programmatically interface with the Software for the purpose of (i) saving data locally (on the same Computer), except when allowed through the use of Document Feature(s) that have been activated using enabling technology from Adobe, (ii) creating a file that contains data (e.g., an XML or comments file), or (iii) saving modifications to a PDF file.

I don't see where this language applies to or supports your statement that "Reader's EULA, however, prevents you from doing this locally, stating that you can't use Reader on the Same PC that creates PDF files".

The legalese of the EULA is fairly daunting, so it's definitely possible that what you're saying is right in front of me, but I don't see it. Can you please point me to the section of the EULA where this is stated?

Many thanks for your answers thus far and those to come.

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