I know there are a ton of forum and training topics on dynamic stamps, and I think I have read most of them, but I have a few questions that do not seem to be answered in them.
I have created a dynamic stamp that has 8 fields of user input (y/n (check box), job# (see #2 & 3 below), Vendor# (see #2 & 3 below), CostCode (see #2 & 3 below), Catagory (see #2 & 3 below), Retainage (text field), Amount (text field), Discription (text field).
1) I know about the code - if(event.source.forReal && (event.source.stampName == "Stamp File Name")) - but I cannot get it to work. I need the dummie directions for this.
2) I cannot get any of the drop-down lists or the Y/N button to work. I can add them to the stamp file but when the stamp is placed it does not prompt for their input. When the field is placed on the stamp file I do not see any where to add code to these items, am I missing somthing?
3) Is it possible to connect the drop-down lists to a data source, SharePoint list? These fields can be left as text input fields but a drop-down list would work better if possible.
4) Other than that the stamp works fine, but the user input is awarkward. It asks for each input in a pop-up window, so the user has to deal with 8 pop-up windows each time the stamp is placed. Is there a way to construct a single pop-up window that has all 8 user inputs?
5) What about Metadata, could I store the user input data there? I understand that stamps are flattened once placed so they are not an option, but is there another way to have the user input the data, save it as Metadata, then display it on the doc? I like the idea of using stamps because the user can move them arround and resize as needed.
Other Info
Currently I am using:
var cAsk = "Enter Retainage";
var cMsg=app.response(cAsk);
event.value=cMsg;
For each text box entry
I have no form dynamic data being used in the stamp (user, date, file name, etc.)
Thanks in advance,
Bryan
1) In the code "event.source.stampName" refers to the name of the stamp, not the stamp file. Since each stamp file can contain several stamps. A method is given in the "Dynamic Stamps Secrets" article for determining the name of the dynamic stamp. Basically you create a dynamic stamp with a text field that's filled in with the stamp name. Then you go back and modify the stamp for the popup.
2) Do not use Drop Down fields on a dynamic stamp. The fields on the stamp are for displaying data only. They will never be used interactively. You'll need to use the popup to provide for collecting the drop down info, and then place it in a field on the stamp. For example you could place a check box on the stamp, and then set the check boxes value based on input from a popup.
3) You can use an external data source to provide data to the stamp, or to the popups that are used for data collection, but there are a lot of dependancies and this is a very advanced topic. Better to get everything else working first.
4) You can build a custom dialog that will collect all the input data at the same time. Here's an article on the topic:
http://www.acrobatusers.com/tutorials/2006/popup_windows_part5
I've built a graphical dialog editor for creating the custom dialog code to make this task much easier. You can purchase it here,
http://www.windjack.com/products/acrodialogs.php
5) The code provided in the "Dynamic Stamps Secrets" article shows how you can use code in the dynamic stamp to place metadata into the PDF that's being stamped.
Thom Parker
The source for PDF Scripting Info
[url=http://www.pdfScripting.com]pdfscripting.com[/url]
The Acrobat JavaScript Reference, Use it Early and Often
[url=http://www.adobe.com/devnet/acrobat/javascript.php]http://www.adobe.com/devnet/acrobat/javascript.php[/url]
Then most important JavaScript Development tool in Acrobat
[url=http://www.pdfscripting.com/public/34.cfm#JSIntro][b]The Console Window (Video tutorial)[/b][/url]
[url=http://www.acrobatusers.com/tutorials/2006/javascript_console][b]The Console Window(article)[/b][/url]
Thom Parker
The source for PDF Scripting Info
www.pdfscripting.com
Very Important - How to Debug Your Script