SPUG: help with dynamic pdf forms

[Jay Scherrer]

Alan,
This is exactly how we produce our tax forms using Practical Tax.
Can you use PostScript?
We had found that if we were to convert the form from PDF to PostScript and 
anded our variables ($var) into the form entry point. If you play around with 
your PostScript you'll find that your entries will be contained within  a set 
of parenthisis "( )". Create a template that contains your variables within 
those parenthisis. Then all you have to do is assign values to those $vars 
and have Perl print the file.
This enabled us to parse print the .ps page through Perl. Basicly replacing 
any ($var) with your inputed value. We had to extend it a little by creating 
an XML file for our records allowing us to traverse the hash and replacing 
the tagged entry with the matched $variable. 

Jay
On Monday 14 July 2003 12:08 pm, Alan wrote:
> Howdy folks.  I have a project coming up involving filling data into PDF
> forms created by a design firm.  I'm pretty sure that this can be done,
> and hopefully relatively easily.
>
> Basically what I need to do is take user input and insert it into a
> pre-set position / form field in an already created static PDF.  I'm not
> all that familiar with acrobat, but it has a "form field" tool that
> allows creation of text fields, checkboxes, etc.  All I need to do is
> take user input and stick it into those form fields (I only care about
> the text fields).
>
> Obviously creating the pdfs from scratch via PDF-Lib isn't an option.
> Can anyone point me at whatever the in vogue tool / library for this is?
>
> Regards and thanks from up north
>
> alan

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