[FX.php List] Precision Printing alternatives

Tue Oct 2 10:43:44 MDT 2007

Jonathan,

One thing that helps me when I'm using FPDF/FPDI to fine tune content  
to fit specific places on a template is to put a nice red border on  
my cells and text blocks, so I can see their complete "footprint" on  
the page, regardless of the content I'm drawing within them. (If  
you're already drawing cell borders with FPDF, you may not need to do  
this everywhere.) Then take the borders off when you're ready to go  
live.

Other things that trip me up:
* Losing track of the x/y location of the "cursor" while I'm creating  
the page.
* Mixing inches and points and having content land in the wrong spot,  
or completely off the page.

If you are building a PDF with a tight layout, you may generate  
literally hundreds of sample PDFs while you fine tune the piece.

Dale

On Oct 2, 2007, at 11:16 AM, Steve Winter wrote:

> The other thing which occurred to me while I was off on a run was,  
> have you considered using FPDI, and creating a pdf template which  
> has the actual form in it, ie the template that the teachers would  
> have written on with a pen, and then using FPDF to overlay the FMP  
> content onto that form...??...might be easier than creating the  
> form on the fly as well (for one thing then you don’t have to worry  
> about boxes lining up exactly ;-)
>
>
>
> Cheers
>
> Steve
>
>
>
> From: fx.php_list-bounces at mail.iviking.org [mailto:fx.php_list- 
> bounces at mail.iviking.org] On Behalf Of Steve Winter
> Sent: Tuesday, 2 October 2007 4:28 p.m.
> To: 'FX.php Discussion List'
> Subject: RE: [FX.php List] Precision Printing alternatives
>
>
>
> Hi Jonathan,
>
>
>
> In my view FPDF really is your best bet, and based on the  
> alternatives you’ve come up with, your only bet...
>
>
>
> This has been the answer to every web-based printing problem that  
> I’ve come across because it doesn’t matter what OS or what printer  
> the end user has, the outcome is still the same... I’ve used it for  
> reports, letters, certificates, filling in forms (where the output  
> from FMP has to go onto a government issued form) etc etc
>
>
>
> You are however correct that establishing the template can be time  
> consuming, that said, once it’s done, it’s done and will work  
> flawlessly on every system...
>
>
>
> Someone mentioned the other day that part of the issue with FPDF  
> was that you have to specify everything based on XY co-ordinates,  
> however I personally believe that is one of its strengths since it  
> allows you to put content precisely where you want it... in a job  
> that I’ve just been working on for a commercial printer we’re using  
> it in combination with a Flash application to create print-ready  
> files from data which is manipulated in flash, the content output  
> to php and the pdf generated pixel perfect...
>
>
>
> In answer to your FPDF question, to get text to wrap in a field use  
> Multicell see http://www.fpdf.org/en/doc/multicell.htm for details...
>
>
>
> Cheers
>
> Steve
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: fx.php_list-bounces at mail.iviking.org [mailto:fx.php_list- 
> bounces at mail.iviking.org] On Behalf Of Jonathan Schwartz
> Sent: Tuesday, 2 October 2007 4:10 p.m.
> To: FX.php Discussion List
> Subject: [FX.php List] Precision Printing alternatives
>
>
>
> Hi Folks,
>
>
>
> (There's a question at the end of this long email recap)
>
>
>
> I'm still going in circles on my school progress report project.
>
>
>
> The problem goes back to printing report cards after teachers enter
>
> student data.  There are 200+ teachers in 6 schools.  The input side
>
> has been intended to be web based using fx.php.  No problems there.
>
> The output side is the real challenge.  I didn't originally think so,
>
> but I do now.
>
>
>
> Earlier on this list, I inquired about using FPDF and I received good
>
> reviews for that method.  However, in attempting to set that up, I
>
> now see the expertise in FPDF required and time involved in getting
>
> the template set up. It could take 100 hours...or more....just for
>
> the template.
>
>
>
> If you'd like to see the test, it appears below.  I have placed the
>
> same simplified sample "cell module" in 4 places on a page.  Have not
>
> figured out how to wrap text inside a cell. That's what the 4th
>
> example was trying to do, and where I gave up...
>
>
>
> http://www.exit445.com/mvll/fpdf/tutorial/test5.php
>
>
>
> The SECOND alternative is to distribute a runtime FMP file that
>
> allows teachers to import data from the server and then use it to
>
> print the Progress Reports.  (You can't use a runtime to connect to
>
> the server)..  I guess I could use the Excell spreadsheet php class
>
> to do the export.  This alternative is lousy in that it involves
>
> input in one place and output in another....with steps in between.
>
>
>
> I thought of a THIRD alternative.  I believe that all the school's
>
> printers are networked and visible on the network across the
>
> district.  Perhaps if I used a single FMP CLIENT connected to the
>
> Server at headquarters. and then script the printing of progress
>
> reports from the FMP client to the remote printers. There's a recipe
>
> for disaster.
>
>
>
> Of course, a FOURTH alternative is to purchase 200 copies of
>
> FileMaker.  There's not budget for that.
>
>
>
> THE QUESTION:
>
> That being said...how do php and mysql systems print data to paper?
>
> I must be missing some huge piece of the puzzle.  Without better
>
> alternatives, I'm thinking of walking away from this "opportunity".
>
>
>
> J
>
> --
>
> Jonathan Schwartz
>
> Exit 445 Group
>
> jonathan at exit445.com
>
> http://www.exit445.com
>
> 415-381-1852
>
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