Quartam PDF Library - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current version of the library ?
Quartam PDF Library 1.1 was just released and is available from the Downloads section.
What versions of LiveCode are supported ?
When work began on Quartam PDF Library, we were using version 2.6 of Revolution. Since then, we have kept working on it to ensure compatibility all the way up to the latest LiveCode version 4.6.
However, Quartam PDF Library 1.1 requires at least Revolution 3.0.
All sample scripts were lightly tested with older versions, but there is always a chance that engine and library modifications have caused certain issues that has been resolved by now. We highly recommend that you use Quartam PDF Library in conjunction with the latest LiveCode release.
Which LiveCode deployment options are supported ?
Quartam PDF Library supports all editions of LiveCode: Desktop (Windows, Mac and Linux), Server (LiveCode Server and On-Rev) and Mobile (iOS and Android).
Do I need to install extra software to use this in my applications ?
No, you do not have to install extra software. Quartam PDF Library is written entirely in LiveCode, and does not require any new DLL's or external bundles to run properly.
All you need to do is include a single library stack when you build your standalone application.
Why would I use this library when I can use a PDF Printer ?
While a PDF Printer driver is a convenient way to create PDF documents, Quartam PDF Library gives you a lot more control over the end result. With a PDF Printer, your user may select the wrong setting and you have limited precision when printing cards and text.
With this library you decide on every aspect of the document, its look and the location of its items.
Can I place a company logo on my layouts ?
Yes, you can. Use high resolution PNG or JPEG images to add logos, screenshots, etc. You can optionally implement a callback message to automatically place the logo on every page.
In one of the next updates, we will increase the number of supported image file formats - in the meantime, you can use LiveCode's powerful scripting abilities to dynamically convert images from nearly every format.
Can I write styled text in my documents ?
This release of the library has limited support for styled text: the number of fonts is limited to the standard set (Arial/Helvetica, Times, Courier, Symbol and Zapf Dingbats) and the styles are limited to plain, bold, italic, underline.
Can I write unicode text in my reports ?
No, unicode is not supported in this release of the library.
Can I encrypt generated documents ?
No, encryption is not supported in this release of the library.
Can I modify or read text from existing PDF documents ?
No, you cannot use this library to modify or read text from existing PDF documents.
What are your future plans to improve Quartam PDF Library ?
In the near future, we hope to address the font and unicode limitations, while adding a number of features that didn't make the cut for version 1.1.
Of course we will listen to our customers as well as the LiveCode developer community to find out how we can help them produce the results they need in the most efficient way possible. We also make a commitment to keep Quartam PDF Library up-to-date as the underlying technology evolves.
As Quartam PDF Library is open source, am I free to do what I want with it ?
No, you are bound to the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License - see the Free / Open Source page for more information.
How can I contribute to the Quartam PDF Library project ?
Now that Quartam PDF Library for LiveCode is available as open source under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License (AGPL), you are welcome to contribute to its development.
All you need to do is download, sign and email back the Quartam Open Source Contributor Agreement so that your contributions can be incorporated into the project. Quartam Software handles the role of project custodian, taking care of versioning and distribution.
