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  Embedding Chartdirector graphic output into PDF: alternative(s) to png?
Posted by Daniel on May-13-2013 16:33
Hi Peter,

Chartdirector is a wonderful product and I am sure you care about bringing extended functionality into it.

When it comes to the pdf production, I currently embed png output into pdfs.

Is there some thinking and/or development (even on the backburner) into bringing alternative(s) to png resources? Png embedding works but, of course, low-density bitmaps are missing the kind of fonts people have got used to.

Daniel

  Re: Embedding Chartdirector graphic output into PDF: alternative(s) to png?
Posted by Peter Kwan on May-14-2013 00:40
Hi Daniel,

PDF typically is generated by another software. ChartDirector can output charts in PNG, JPG, BMP, GIF or SVG. If your PDF generating software supports SVG, you may use the SVG format, which is vector based, and will result in text similar to the quality of other PDF text.

If the PDF generating software can only support bitmap images, you would need to use one of the bitmap image format. In this case, the chart is like a digital photograph. To create a higher resolution image, some of our customers will create chart with a large number of pixels. For example, instead of using a 600 x 400 chart with 10 points font size, people may use a 1800 x 1200 chart with 30 points font size, while keep the chart physical size in the PDF the same. For example, if the original chart occupies 1/4 of the A4 page, then after the chart size is tripled, the code still insert the chart so that its size is 1/4 of an A4 page. This results in 3 times the "pixels per inch" resolution. Note that increasing the chart pixiel size will need quite a few adjustments. In addition to the font size, you may need to consider the line width (for line charts), label density (see Axis.setTickDensity), etc..

So in summary, the "alternative" that is possible depends on which alternative the PDF generating software supports. We are thinking of generating the chart directly in PDF. Because a chart is typically embedded as part of a PDF report, so for this feature to be useful, the PDF generating software must be able to embedded one PDF (the chart) in another PDF (the report).

Regards
Peter Kwan

  Re: Embedding Chartdirector graphic output into PDF: alternative(s) to png?
Posted by Daniel on May-14-2013 02:34
Hi Peer,

Thanks for your speedy answer

"the "alternative" that is possible depends on which alternative the PDF generating software supports."

We certainly used the density tricks you mentioned with quite decent results after a series of trial-and-errors...! We use quickpdf with great successf for integration.

However we would certainly enjoy having a native pdf output and get rid of the rough font rendering:)

"We are thinking of generating the chart directly in PDF. Because a chart is typically embedded as part of a PDF report, so for this feature to be useful, the PDF generating software must be able to embedded one PDF (the chart) in another PDF (the report)"

I understand that this may be a bit of a challenge since the pdf format is really a different beast:) A pity that SVG is no more on the adobe Acrobat team agenda and roadmap...

Daniel