How To Create a Custom Printing Template
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GeoMOOSE 2 uses a page-templating method for generating PDFs. Any printed map in GeoMOOSE starts as a pre-existing PDF that does not feature a map. This PDF can have inline fonts, J
PEGs, watermarks, etc. In GeoMOOSE 1.X it was necessary to write PHP to change the output format of the printing utility with 2.X that is no longer needed. Creating PDF files have b
ecome commonplace and can be done with almost any software with the avilability of PDF printers.
Step 1: Make Your Template PDF
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The first step is to create a PDF that you wish to use as a printing template. This can be done with any software that can output to a PDF. If none of your software has an "Export PD
F" option then a PDF printer may be an option on your operating system:
* Mac OS/X - A PDF Printer is built-in. See Apple's Documentation.
* Windows - I've had good luck with CutePDF. http://www.cutepdf.com/
* Linux - Use CUPS. http://www.linux.com/articles/61826
For purposes of this document the PDF file generated here will be referred to as "my_template.pdf". "my_template.pdf" should be saved/copied into ``conf/print``.
Step 2: Define the Template for GeoMOOSE
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GeoMOOSE is smart, but not that smart, it does need to be told more information about the template created in Step 1. To do this we need to create an XML template definition file.
It is easiest to copy a pre-existing template and modify it. For convenience, it makes sense to name the XML file the same as the PDF file. Copy letter_landscape.xml to my_template.pdf. You should now have a file that contains::
default_template.pdf
The important element to change is the name of the PDF template file to "my_template.pdf"::
my_template.pdf
It is best to have a good guess for the ```` and ``