How to write

[BobKlaas]

I have a database table with image paths and image details. I want to use ColdFusion to auto generate a PDF with this information. It's kind of like a yearbook. I've used <cfpdf> in the past to populate Acrobat forms, but since I need to display images, I can't use Acrobat. I then discovered LiveCycle Forms, but I soon realized that you can't merge/flatten LiveCycle PDF's due to the XML. Which, if the user generates an extract more than 1 page long, i'd have to merge the files.

I can use <cfdocument> to write a PDF file, but this isn't ideal. Reason being, is that when you import the generated PDF into Adobe Illustrator, it views it as one big image. The designers working with these PDF's are used to opening up hand made PDF's, selecting the image they need from the document, and dragging the image and details to their canvas. Unfortunatly, <cfdocument> just mashes everything together as one image.

Is there any way to accomplish this task? I'm so beat trying to find a solution.

[BKBK]

Open a PDF in any of the latest versions of Acrobat Reader, and use the Snapshot tool.

[Androo]

BobxMarley,

Have you found a solution to this issue? We have come across the same issue. We want to replace an Access application that creates a PDF file based on data retrieved from SQL Server. The PDF file can be manipulated in Illustrator at a granular level. We've tried CFDocument which creates a fine PDF, but Illustrator reads it as one block that cannot be moved/modified.

Please let me know what solution you arrived at, if any. Thanks!

Sincerely,

Andy