pdftools/readme.md

PDF helpers for the work at IMTEK

This package provides some cli commands:

• nameplates generate a pdf with nameplates
• addruler adds a blue ruler to a pdf

And a module to assist with filling out pdf forms: pdftools.formfill

nameplates (cli)

Usage: nameplates [OPTIONS] ATTENDEES [LOGO]

  creates a pdf with name plate cards

  The attendees file should be a tab separated text file with no headers.
  Put the company name in the first column, the given name in the second and
  the last name in the third column, e.g:

      Hochimin Enterprizes \t Jane \t Doe \n

  The positioning of the optional logo file can be controlled with the size
  and adjustment options.

Options:
  -s, --size INTEGER      [default: (10 mm)]
  -y, --adjust_y INTEGER  [default: ( 0 mm)]
  -x, --adjust_x INTEGER  [default: ( 0 mm)]
  --help                  Show this message and exit.

addruler (cli)

Usage: addruler [OPTIONS] PDF

  adds a blue ruler overlay to a pdf file

Options:
  --help  Show this message and exit.

formfill (module)

The formfill module helps filling out pdf forms with other data. But there is no command line interface, you have to create a function on where to position what on the form.

The function requires some Reportlab knowledge. An example:

from pdftools.formfill import fill
from reportlab.lib.units import mm

# `parse_file` is an exercise  to the reader
attendees = parse_file("teilnehmertabelle.txt")


# function defining where to draw what.
def custom_function(canvas, item):

    # one item consists of three things
    company, address, name = item

    canvas.setFont("Helvetica", 11)
    canvas.drawString( 35*mm, 204*mm, f"{company}, {address}")
    canvas.setFont("Helvetica-Bold", 11)
    canvas.drawString( 35*mm, 169*mm, name)
    canvas.drawString( 35*mm,  82*mm, "19.02.2019")

# "form.pdf" should be the path to the form file
fill("form.pdf", attendees, custom_function)