VB.Net, Specifying Parameters for AcroExch.PDPage/etc...

[matthewr58600731]

The end goal: Programmatically add annotations to a PDF through a VB.Net Windows Form Document.

The Issue: Using the AddAnnot() jsObj situation.

Where I'm stuck:

I've found some great Adobe references that seemed very promising and have answered some other questions. My issue is that in the "Javascript for Acrobat API Reference" the Parameters for the AddAnnot() function (I think that function is the right word) are not as explicit as others. For example, the addWaterMarkFromFile() reference lists 16 parameters, each with a name, what they're specifying, and their default values. In the SDK reference for the addWaterMarkFromFile() there are 16 parameters specified, and they can be manipulated in a sensible enough manner. The example:

However, with the AddAnnot() reference the only parameter listed is an "object literal", which is described as containing the properties of the Annotation object.

I've found the list of the properties, and with what syntax can I specify some of all of them? The reference shows them specifed as follows:

var sqannot = this.addAnnot({type: "Square", page: 0});

or

var annot = this.addAnnot

({

page: 0,

type: "Text",

author: "A. C. Robat",

point: [300,400],

strokeColor: color.yellow,

contents: "Need a little help with this paragraph.",

noteIcon: "Help"

});

My rationale (which is incorrect) suggests that I could call the second example by:

   Dim srcPage As Acrobat.CAcroPDPage

   srcPage = CreateObject("AcroExch.PDPage")

   jsStampObj = srcDoc.GetJSObject

jsStampObj.AddAnnot(0, "Text", "A. C. Robat", New Point(300,400), jsStampObj.Color.Blue, "Need a little help with this paragraph", "Help")

But I'm unsure if the above is even remotely correct either, as I haven't specified any page to which the annotation should be added. My efforts thus far have been to shove that code into the loop the WaterMarkJsoVB() project from the SDK uses to place watermarks. The addWaterMarkfromFile has a parameter for the document to which it should be pointing and the page on which ti place the mark, I've seen no such parameter in any reference relating to Add Annot. Still unsure how to point at pages too well, and have only had success with PDDoc objects and splitting pages / creating new pdfs, straight from the SDK.

I digress! Any input?

[Karl Heinz Kremer · Accepted solution]

You have to do this in multiple steps. Here is a sample from an application that creates a stamp annotation. You will have to adjust the annotation type for your specific situation:

        Dim stampRect(3) As Integer       
        Dim annot As Object
        Dim props As Object
        Set jso = gPDDoc.GetJSObject
        stampRect(0) = 100
        stampRect(1) = 100
        stampRect(2) = 200
        stampRect(3) = 200
        ' Create a new stamp annot
        Set annot = jso.AddAnnot
        ' Get the cannot properties, change the type and then push it to the cannot object again
        Set props = annot.getprops
        props.Type = "Stamp"
        annot.setProps props
        ' Fill in the necessary fields
        Set props = annot.getprops
        props.Page = 0
        props.rect = stampRect
        props.Author = "My Name"
        props.AP = "Approved"
        annot.setProps props

[matthewr58600731]

Thank you; this went well with a little tweaking. Below is my final code for the reference of others who may stumble by. It includes some superfluous declarations and commented-out sections that didn't work.

Thanks again, Karl. I've stumbled across an article or two of yours and they are much appreciated!

Public Class Form1

    Dim gApp As Acrobat.CAcroApp

    Dim gPDDoc As Acrobat.CAcroPDDoc

    Dim gAVDoc As Acrobat.CAcroAVDoc

    Dim gAVPage As Acrobat.CAcroAVPageView

    Dim gPDPageStart As Object

    Dim gPDPage As Acrobat.CAcroPDPage

    Dim jso As Object

    Dim jstamp As Object

    Dim stampRect(3) As Integer

    Dim annot As Object

    Dim props As Object

    Private Sub Button1_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click

        gApp = CreateObject("AcroExch.App")

        gAVDoc = CreateObject("AcroExch.AVDoc")

        gPDDoc = CreateObject("AcroExch.PDDoc")

        If gPDDoc.Open( <Filename> ) Then

            jso = gPDDoc.GetJSObject

            stampRect(0) = 100

            stampRect(1) = 100

            stampRect(2) = 200

            stampRect(3) = 200

            annot = jso.AddAnnot()

            props = annot.getprops()

            props.Type = "Stamp"

            annot.setProps(props)

            props = annot.getprops

            props.Page = 0

            props.opacity = 1

            props.rect = stampRect

            props.Author = "Matt"

            props.AP = "Draft"

            annot.setProps(props)

            'gAVPage = gAVDoc.GetAVPageView

            'gPDPageStart = gAVPage.GetPage()

            'gPDPage = gPDPageStart

            'gPDPage.AddAnnot(1,)

            'jstamp = gPDPage.AddNewAnnot(0, "Stamp", New Rectangle(New Point(500, 500), New Size(2000, 2000)))

            MessageBox.Show("Working")

            'MessageBox.Show(jso.CountAllBookmarks())

        End If

    End Sub

End Class