[FX.php List] Precision Printing alternatives

Tue Oct 2 10:35:06 MDT 2007

Thanks Steve,

I considered using FPDI, but don't see the advantage.  The form 
consists of run of the mill tables with ruled lines.  No images, 
shading or anything that FPDF can't do.  I would still need to create 
90% of the cells for outputting the content anyway. Might as well do 
it all all live....unless there are issues such as performance.

  Jonathan

>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>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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-- 
Jonathan Schwartz
Exit 445 Group
jonathan at exit445.com
http://www.exit445.com
415-381-1852
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