[TriLUG] [GoLugTech] How to fill in a PDF form in Linux/OpenSource? <SOLVED>

[Steve Litt]

Hi all,

I think I've found a way.

On Linux, at least on my Mandriva 2007 distribution, there's a program called 
pdftoppm. I convert my PDF to one ppm per page like this:

pdftoppm myfile.pdf basename

The preceding command converts 2 page myfile.pdf to basename-000001 and 
basename-000002. Unlike the convert program, pdftoppm creates a VERY high 
quality bitmap image. I then edit that image in Gimp, filling in the forms.

I still need to figure out a way to print the finished form so that it prints 
the same size. Basically, I think I'll need to define a new printer that 
supposedly can print all the way to the paper edges.

Once again, pdftoppm does a very high quality conversion from PDF to a 
bitmap .ppm image editable with Gimp.

Thanks

SteveT


On Thursday 15 May 2008 17:11, Steve Litt wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I need to fill out and submit a copyright form TX. My Acroread for Linux
> won't do that. I can import the PDF into Gimp and fill it out in Gimp, and
> print it from Gimp, but the type of the original PDF becomes extremely
> pixellated. I can't seem to import the PDF into Inkscape.
>
> I print the PDF, scan it at 300dpi, scan it into a .pnm, and then use Gimp
> to fill it in, but that seems a little extreme.
>
> I could print it, fill it in with pen, and then scan the result, but my
> handwriting is illegible.
>
> So what's a good way to fill in a PDF form in Linux/OpenSource?
>
> Thanks
>
> SteveT
>
> Steve Litt
> Author: Universal Troubleshooting Process books and courseware
> http://www.troubleshooters.com/
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