[mapserver-users] PDF output, what about?

[kenboss]

You can get there currently by using pdflib (http://www.pdflib.com) in 
combination with the mapserver/mapscript.  pdflib is a full-featured set of 
open-source libraries distributed under the Aladdin Free Public License.  It has 
lots of language bindings, making it particularly easy to integrate into 
mapscript-based applications.  It should also be reasonably easy to integrate 
with mapserver cgi apps - just grab the needed parameters in your html template 
and roll them into a request fired through a "print" button on a form, though 
you'll likely want to do a bit of scripting in order to get a really 
nice-looking print version of your maps.

Click on "print" in the Minnesota DNR quad map delivery application  
(http://maps.dnr.state.mn.us/tomo/) for an example.  (If you don't know 
Minnesota, just use a search for "Grand Rapids" to get started from the front 
page).

--Ken

=============================================================================
Ken Boss                                
Digital Image Analysis / Web Stuff       Forestry Resource Assessment
kenboss at dilbert.dnr.state.mn.us          Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources
Voice: 218 327 4449 ext. 237             413 SE 13th Street                 
Fax:   218 327 4517                      Grand Rapids, MN  55744          USA
                   www.ra.dnr.state.mn.us
=============================================================================


> Hello fellows,
> 
> GIF and PNG output are very good for mapserver, as the browser does not ask
> for a plug-in to see maps, but when you need printing, screen-resolution
> pictures are not so good.
> 
> I think mapserver should use a PDF library to provide PDF output for
> printing purposes. Say, when you have the map you need (thematic mapping,
> scale, and so on), you would click on a 'PDF' button and presto! you get a
> print-ready image you could enhance or incorporate in documents.
> 
> Ciao
> 	Carlo
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Carlo A. Bertelli
>    Charta   servizi e sistemi per il territorio e la storia ambientale srl
>             Dipendenze del palazzo di Clemente Doria,
>             vc. alla Chiesa della Maddalena 9/2 16124      Genova (Italy)
>             tel. +39 010 2475439  fax +39 010 2475439  cell: 0333 2298345
>     e-mail: bertelli at charta.acme.com      http://www.charta.acme.com
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
>