Using variables to define TEXT boundary in PDFs

OL Connect Professional DataMapper
1

A few years ago I wrote a web-based system in PlanetPress, where users could upload a PDF. Using Digital Action, the process returned the first page of the PDF as a JPEG to the browser in a page that allowed the user to enter and markup some parameters, including the text that identified “page one of a document”, the area containing the address block, and it also used HTML drag and drop functionality to place a square where a 2D barcode should go. This information was posted back and created a data file that would drive the production printing of that PDF, with postal processing, barcoding, mail piece grouping, etc. The parameters were stored into JobInfo and/or Local Variables, and the PP7 template used those values, making it possible for a single template to be used for any valid PDF file.

I’d like to recreate this in Connect. Given a text string and coordinates, is it possible to import those and use them as the Boundary for a Data Map?

In other words, in the image below, can the highlighted areas use Automation variables?

2

You could do it using script instead of GUI coordinate fields:

scriptDataExtractExample

3

correct. but please email support if this answer is unclear

4

This will get me on the right track. Note I think you’re showing how to extract text in an extract step using automation variables. That part I know; it’s the setting of the document boundary that I wanted to make dynamic, but I see that it too supports scripting, and I think using automation variables, the “get()” and “createRegion()” functions are what I need to learn.

Thanks for the answers.

5

Yep you are right…my bad…should have paid more attention at what your image showed…

Here is a link to our online help that explains what you are trying to achieve.