VB Application to Navigate PDF files

If you manually open either program then the IAC will talk to which ever is open.

You can progamatically open either with the standard system library tools. In C++ I do this with "shellExecute". I think there is an easier way in VB, but I don't know what it is.

In fact, all the information about the Acrobat installations is in the Registry. Just search though it to find all the versions and variations of Acrobat installed. Then launch the one you want.

When I manually open Acrobat Reader 8.0 and then run my VB app, the program opens Reader but gives the following message: "There was an error opening this document. This file cannot be found."

After a time the debugger opens pointing to the line of code creating the AcroExch.app object with the message: "exception was unhandled" The detail view gives the following further explanation: "Cannot create ActiveX component."

This is odd because if I do the same operation without first opening Reader. It works fine and it finds the file I specify for it to open except that it opens in Acrobat rather than Reader.

Can you suggest or pass my question on to someone who might be able to answer my questions more specifically for VB? Also if I am just barking up the wrong tree trying to do this with the OLE applications in the SDK, what other options do I have, and are there any examples out there on how to do this?

I am very wary of mucking around with the Registry so that is not an option for me unless I have very specific instructions.

Thanks for your help.

Well, I'm mystified. I've done this many times and not had that particular problem. Are you on Vista? This could be the problem.

I hate to say this, but you might try using the DDE interface. This is an ancient Windows inter-app interface mechanism, long before OLE. But it's still supported and I know it works with Reader.

My only other suggestion is to ask on the other Acrobat Forums. There are three main ones, Adobe user to user forums, the Planet PDF forums, and the PDF Zone forums.

OK If I am to use DDE how do I get started. The example in the SDK, unfortunately, to me is about as clear as mud. I need an example that gives me some actual code to setting up DDE. Do I need to add references or controls? Maybe if I had something simple like opening a PDF file. Once I have that i might be able to get what else I need on my own. Can you help?

On e more thing in response to your comment. I am using XP professional, Visual studio 2005 running Visual basic, and am trying get the information I need form the SDK 7.05 documentation.