[SOLVED] PDF Editing Without PDFLib

[Pino]

Hi All,

 

I have some template PDF's and I need to insert text values on the fly in PHP. Now I've been looking at http://www.ros.co.nz/pdf/ and its great for creating new PDF's. However I need the ability to edit a template and insert text (Of any font) at a set position. Did I miss something in the link above or is there another way? I cant warrant the $999 for PdfLib.

 

Just to add this is PHP5

 

Kind Regards

[DarkWater]

Use the PEAR PDF modules.  They should be able to do it, but you'll need to read the documentation.

[Pino]

Thanks for the quick reply. Are there any other options? Just trying to cover all bases

 

Thanks Again

[DarkWater]

The PEAR PDF class is pretty solid and well-documented, and it's free, so I'd use it.  I'm not sure if there's any other good, free options. >_>

[BlueSkyIS]

i use fpdf.org for everything.

[Pino]

BlueSKy does that allow editing? I've looked at that allready and there are no obvious signs that it does.

 

Thanks

[BlueSkyIS]

yes, there is an extension/class built from fpdf, called fpdi. i use this also:

 

http://www.setasign.de/products/pdf-php-solutions/fpdi/

 

i use this to add text to W-2 PDFs, etc.

[Pino]

Looks like it will do the trick, however when installing I get the following errors

 

Warning: FPDF::include(helvetica.php) [function.FPDF-include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in C:\xampp\php\PEAR\fpdf.php on line 550

Warning: FPDF::include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'helvetica.php' for inclusion (include_path='.;C:\xampp\php\pear\') in C:\xampp\php\PEAR\fpdf.php on line 550
FPDF error: Could not include font metric file

[BlueSkyIS]

i've never installed it with pear. i downloaded the fpdf and fdpi code, put them in a directory near my code and followed the examples.

[Pino]

Thats what I did....

 

Does it come installed with PHP 5 or something?

[Pino]

I've resolved it. On my local copy for some reason the fpdf class was in the pear directory and when the code referanced this it went there. If I make sure the fpdf class is in the same directory it works fine.

[Pino]

Ok thanks for the help so far. I've got the classes working ok now. However I have one question.

 

My overall aim is to take a template PDF 'copy it' add some text at x/y then save the new one.

 

require_once('fpdi.php');

// initiate FPDI
$pdf =& new FPDI();
// add a page
$pdf->AddPage();
// set the sourcefile
$pdf->setSourceFile('test.pdf');
// import page 1
$tplIdx = $pdf->importPage(1);

$pdf->useTemplate($tplIdx, 0, 0, 60,90);

// now write some text above the imported page
$pdf->SetFont('Arial');
$pdf->SetTextColor(255,0,0);
$pdf->SetXY(25, 25);
$pdf->Write(0, "This is just a simple text");

$pdf->Output('newpdf.pdf', 'D');

 

This works well, however the origional PDF is 2.36x3.54 Inch the one that is produced from the template is massive. Any suggestions on how I can keep the size the same? I've tried to specify the size in MM (60x90)

 

useTemplate($tplIdx, 0, 0, 60,90);

 

Has no real effect.

 

Thanks Again

 

 

[Pino]

Solution for all those who are interested.

 

$pageSize = array(60,90);

// initiate FPDI
$pdf =& new FPDI("p","mm",$pageSize);