http://www.perlmonks.org?node_id=920813

ksublondie has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

I'm using PDF::API2 to create documents that are non-letter sized. Even though the pages are the correct size, when I go into the print dialog box of the open document, the paper size/type/etc is still set to letter and the printer can't automatically pick the correct printer tray.

Is there a way to programatically set these fields?

update

Here's my current code: 

foreach (@data){
  $line=144;
  $page= $pdf->page();
  $page->mediabox('Legal');
  $page->trimbox('Legal');
  ...
}

[download]

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: PDF::API2 page setup
by Perlbotics (Archbishop) on Aug 17, 2011 at 23:12 UTC

    The PDF::API2 doc has something to say about setting the mediabox. Does invoking this method improve the situation? 

    $pdf->mediabox($name)
$pdf->mediabox($w, $h)
$pdf->mediabox($llx, $lly, $urx, $ury)

    [download]

    Sets the global mediabox.

    Example: 

        $pdf = PDF::API2->new();
    $pdf->mediabox('A4');
    ...
    $pdf->saveas('our/new.pdf');

    $pdf = PDF::API2->new();
    $pdf->mediabox(595, 842);
    ...
    $pdf->saveas('our/new.pdf');

    $pdf = PDF::API2->new;
    $pdf->mediabox(0, 0, 595, 842);
    ...
    $pdf->saveas('our/new.pdf');

    [download]

[reply]
[d/l]
[select]
      That's exactly how I'm already setting the page size (I'm not aware of any other way to do it), but the print dialog box isn't recognizing the settings. Like I said, the pages are setup with the right size, the problem is in the print dialog box. It keeps trying to print to "Letter" for everything, no matter the size.
[reply]
        It might also help to set the trimbox as well.

        To quote PDF page boxes:

        "The TrimBox defines the intended dimensions of the finished page. Contrary to the CropBox, the TrimBox is very important because it defines the actual page size."
[reply]
Re: PDF::API2 page setup
by Neighbour (Friar) on Aug 18, 2011 at 10:24 UTC
    If you're printing from adobe's acrobat reader, try unchecking the option 'Choose paper source by PDF page size'. (Or adjust the page size to match :))
[reply]
      That worked! However, it would be nice if Adobe would allow that to be a document setting like Word & WordPerfect do and not a workstation setting.
[reply]

Back to Seekers of Perl Wisdom