ability for users to modify x,y location of paragraphs prior to printing?

[Dax_Trajero]

I'm just researching whether or not Coldfusion can manage what I'm after...

In short, each user is in a different location with a different printer. They need to print their details onto a pre-printed certificate on A4 eg.

This is to certify JOHN SMITH has passed the Brain Surgery Exam on 11/10/2009

(it's only the stuff in bold  that would be printed onto the pre-printed certificate)

The problem is, getting the JOHN SMITH to line up with the rest of the pre-printed certificate, especially on different makes of printers.

What's the best solution ? (they're adamant the computer won't print the whole certificate onto blank A4)

[ilssac]

This is not a simple task, and ColdFusion, or any server applicaiton, is going to have problems doing this I beleive

If, as I understand your post, you want to be able to print this to nearly any printer.

The main problems I forsee.

ColdFusion can only print to printers the server itself is networked to.  No server based web application is going to be able to send print jobs directly to printers connected to a client.

Even if all the desired printers are connected to the server, each printer is different and getting a job like this to work accross all brands, makes and models is not an easy task.  At least it never has been in my experience with printers.

Now, if all these jobs are comming out of a single printer that the ColdFusion server can connect to, this just might be possible.  But otherwise, I think you have a very difficult task here.

[tooMuchTrouble]

you might give the iText java lib (powers cfdocument, etc.) a try. it allows a

great deal of control when placing bits & pieces on a PDF document & is fairly

easy to use w/cf. create the PDF doc server side, d/l & let the user print as

required. hopefully the pre-printed templates allow for longer than "normal"

names (likeputting the name on a separate line by itself):

Dr. Limburger Allosaurus Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious III

might also have a look at flex/AIR w/alivePDF if you need something clientside.

[Dax_Trajero]

Thanks guys. I wondered if the latest version of ColdFusion had something new up it's sleeve that could be of help.

I guess not.

I think I'm going to argue the point that they mustn't use pre-printed stationary - a logo and footer is fine, but mixing database output on a line with pre-printed text is no good. I'll tell them this.

Thanks again

[ilssac]

Expecially if combined with unknown printer makes and models.

If you can control the printer, this is possible, still tricky, but possible.

If you can't, you are going to find time and again that there are a lot of printer quirks that will drive you batty.