PDF FAQ

The following ASP code will create a PDF file in a scratch folder, email it to someone, then deletes the PDF file.

<%@ language=jscript %>
<script SRC="collinsPdf.js" language="JavaScript" RUNAT="Server"></script>
<script SRC="collinsHtml.js" language="JavaScript" RUNAT="Server"></script>
<script SRC="collinsPdf.vb" language="VBScript" RUNAT="Server"></script>
<%

var cdoBasic = 1;
var cdoContentDisposition = "urn:schemas:mailheader:content-disposition";

//--------------- create a pdf file in a scratch folder (must be writable) ---------------

html = new html$();
html.parse("<pdf margins=2 watermark='Sample' drawMargin=true title='Hello World'>A Sample Static Graphic Object<br><graphic WIDTH=300 HEIGHT=300 BORDER=0 clip=true range='0,0,100,100'>Image 0,0,100,100,small_picture.jpg,0,{A};Text 20,75,0,Hello World,,12,,;</graphic>");

pdf = new pdf$();

html.writeToPdf(pdf);

Temp = 1 * new Date();
filename = server.MapPath('./scratch/' + Temp + '.pdf');
pdf.writeToFile(filename);

//------------- email pdf file ---------------

to = "someone@somewhere.com";

mail = new ActiveXObject( "CDO.Message" );
mail.From = "me@somewhere.com";
mail.To = to;
mail.Subject = "Test PDF File"
mail.TextBody = "This is your PDF file"
mail.addAttachment(filename);

//------------- this stuff may not be necessary on your server ---------
mail.Configuration.Fields.Item("http://schemas.microsoft.com/cdo/configuration/smtpusessl") = false;
mail.Configuration.Fields.Item("http://schemas.microsoft.com/cdo/configuration/sendusing") = 2;
mail.Configuration.Fields.Item("http://schemas.microsoft.com/cdo/configuration/smtpauthenticate") = cdoBasic;
mail.Configuration.Fields.Item("http://schemas.microsoft.com/cdo/configuration/sendusername") = 'somebody@mysite.com;
mail.Configuration.Fields.Item("http://schemas.microsoft.com/cdo/configuration/sendpassword") = 'mypassword';
mail.Configuration.Fields.Item("http://schemas.microsoft.com/cdo/configuration/smtpserver") = "mail.server.com";
mail.Configuration.Fields.Item("http://schemas.microsoft.com/cdo/configuration/smtpserverport") = 25;
mail.Configuration.Fields.Update();

//----------------Rename the attached file -----------------------

pdfname = 'test.pdf';
fields = mail.attachments(1).Fields
fields.Item(cdoContentDisposition) = "attachment;filename=" + pdfname;
fields.Update();

mail.Send();

//----------------- delete pdf file -----------------------

fs = new ActiveXObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject");
fs.DeleteFile(filename, true);

Response.Write('PDF File has Been Emailed to ' + to);

%>

Why do the Client SIDE samples run with a .HTA but not with a .HTM file extension?

The problem is that when you open a .htm file is uses LOCAL security settings that CANNOT be changed; Microsoft has hard-coded these settings to restrict local files from causing harm to client’s systems. By renaming the file to HTA it bypasses the LOCAL security settings and allows the application to run.

Warning HTAs can potentially expose the client machine to malicious script. HTAs, like .exe files have read/write access to the files and system registry on the client machine. Powerful executables can be produced and delivered quickly with a few short script statements. Use of HTAs is not recommended where security or the source of the file is questionable.

I am having trouble adding Images to the CollinsPDF.js, what's the correct syntax?

Collins Software